DP163: Difference between revisions

Back in town, the group are all feeling pretty hungry so decide to stop at the local [[Pokémon Center]]. [[Nurse Joy]] greets the four and Brock naturally goes to greet Nurse Joy in his own unique (and creepy) style. Luckily both Brock and Nurse Joy are put out of their misery by {{TP|Brock|Croagunk}}'s {{m|Poison Jab}}. Just then Dawn spots someone familiar across the room... Paul! She points him out to Ash, who hasn't seen his rival since his [[DP132|massive loss]] against him in their [[Full Battle]]. While Ash is surprised, Barry is very excited to meet the Trainer he admires so much. Going straight over to him as Paul prepares to leave, Barry introduces himself, telling Paul he has also earned eight Badges and challenges him to a battle. Paul is clearly unimpressed with Barry and declines the offer, which surprises Barry who, after threatening to fine him, tells Paul that he has a reputation as a really strong Trainer with really strong Pokémon and he presses the point that he'd love to battle him. Paul responds by telling Barry that he's currently declining all challenges at the moment. Now he's earned his eight Badges, Paul is now in the middle of serious training for the Sinnoh League and he won't risk his Pokémon's condition by having a 'pointless' battle. Barry insists that a battle against him won't be pointless, but Paul tells Barry that if he's ''that'' desperate for a battle he should battle Ash. Barry doesn't want to battle Ash, as he doesn't believe that Ash is on their level since he only has seven Badges.  

Ash tells Paul that he knows he has earned all eight Badges after [[DP155|seeing the news report about it]], however the air between the two is distinctly chilly and Barry asks what the story is between the two to which Dawn just tells him it's a long one. Ash tells Paul that he plans on getting his eighth Badge at Sunyshore Gym, however Paul's reaction to the mention of Sunyshore Gym is very different to Barry's. Paul angrily tells Ash that he doesn't consider Sunyshore City's Gym to be worthy of the title of Gym, surprising Barry who tells Paul that he considered it to be the best Gym however Paul tells Barry it isn't the best Gym... it's the worst of them all. Dawn and Brock are left confused by these total opposite statements, and are now very curious about just what Sunyshore Gym has in store for them. Paul then leaves, and Barry tries to shout him back and then angrily tells him he's getting a fine. Ash calms Barry down by telling him he's bound to encounter Paul again someday and warns him that when he does get to battle him, he shouldn't let down his guard for a second. Barry asks exactly what happened between the two of them, and Ash tells Barry that he and Paul had a Full Battle (earning Barry's jealousy) and that even though he lost, Ash considers it to have been a good battle. Barry asks how Ash can think so well of a battle that he lost, and Ash tells Barry that the battle taught him that while he may be a good Trainer there's still a lot he needs to do if he wants to be the best and vows that the next time he and Paul battle he will definitely win. Barry is impressed by Ash's determination and decides to follow Paul's advice and challenge Ash to a battle which Ash accepts.  

It's decided the match will be composed of three one-on-one battles, Brock will referee and Dawn uses the [[Coin Toss]] application on her [[Pokétch]] to decide who goes first. Barry wins the toss, and he and Ash decide to bring out their Pokémon at the same time. Throwing the [[Poké Ball]]s, Barry sends out Empoleon first while Ash starts with {{AP|Monferno}}. Barry is happy, knowing that as Empoleon is {{type|Water}} it will have the advantage over the {{type|Fire}} Monferno. However Ash and Monferno are ready to show Barry a Pokémon battle is about a lot more than just type and with that, Brock begins the match.

Suddenly a pillar of fire emerges from the nearby trees, transforms itself into an extra-powerful {{m|Flame Wheel}} and heads towards Team Rocket's mecha. It circles around, leaving Barry confused and the others worried about what this might indicate. The Flame Wheel then goes towards Ash is able to smash the capsule trapping him. The Flame Wheel then lands and Monferno emerges... however its eyes are colored pink, confirming that Monferno has accessed {{a|Blaze}}! Monferno then screams with fury as powerful flames emerge from its tail. Barry asks what's happening and Brock and Dawn explain Blaze is Monferno's [[Ability]], which kicks in when Monferno’s endurance is low and it's under stress. As a result Monferno’s Fire-type moves get a power-up, and Barry realizes that this happened because of the Hydro Cannon, however it is clear that Monferno has received far more than just a power-up.  

Team Rocket can't believe their luck and decide to get Monferno too as the troubled Pokémon would be a perfect addition to their team. Monferno starts pounding its chest and screaming in pure fury, and Ash runs to his Pokémon and tries holding it like [[DP081|he did before]] when it went into the same rage before it evolved from {{p|Chimchar}}. However Monferno is a lot stronger than it was before and furiously sends Ash flying back. Team Rocket take the chance to grab it and one of the arms manages to catch Monferno, however this isn’t enough and Monferno's sheer power easily destroys the hand that's holding it. It then powers up a Flame Wheel and heads towards Team Rocket, however Ash tries to block it and reminds the out-of-control Monferno that the other Pokémon are still trapped and could get hurt, however Monferno doesn't care about Ash or any of the other Pokémon and hits Ash before continuing on and hits the basket causing an explosion. Monferno then comes around and uses Mach Punch, completely destroying the basket and sending Team Rocket blasting off as they commiserate another failed plan.  

By now Monferno is completely out of control, and while the controls of the mecha were destroyed the main body survived and the Pokémon are still trapped. Without anyone controlling it, the legs start to buckle, threatening to crush the Pokémon still in the cage. Ash prepares to send out a Pokémon to help, when suddenly Paul sends out his {{TP|Paul|Electabuzz}} and has it use {{m|Protect}} to support the cage. Everyone is amazed that Paul is helping, while Paul tells Electabuzz to maintain Protect for as long as possible.  

Unfortunately, Monferno decides to destroy the mecha completely, powers up a Flame Wheel, and damages one of the legs putting the Pokémon in far more danger. Monferno circles around and prepares for another hit, however, Ash is determined to save Monferno and all the Pokémon and intercepts the Flame Wheel, grabbing Monferno when it emerges and holds on tight. Ash begs Monferno to remember the [[DP051|promise he made]] back when it was a Chimchar and he took it under his wing when Paul released it, that they would become stronger together. Suddenly the flames emerging from Monferno surround both it and Ash, as he begs his Pokémon not to allow itself to be swallowed up by Blaze's power but instead try to control it because if it can, then it can become even more powerful. Paul looks on in amazement at what Ash is willing to endure to calm his Pokémon down.  

Paul then approaches and explains that Monferno was not only able to control Blaze but was able to transform it into a new kind of energy that allowed it to evolve. Infernape then releases Brock, Dawn and Barry from their capsules and Piplup and Empoleon reunite with their relieved Trainers. Barry and Empoleon thank Infernape for its help, while Dawn comments on how good it is that Infernape managed to reach its final stage of evolution before looking it up in her [[Pokédex]].  

==Trivia==  

* After Ash tells Barry about his problems with perfecting Gible's Draco Meteor, the lace-like pattern on Empoleon's belly is missing the black spots. They later reappear while Empoleon is sitting in the same position.  

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