EP131: Difference between revisions

{{an|Misty}} and her friends finally reach the [[Violet Gym]], and {{Ash}} is anxious to get his first [[Johto]] [[Badge]]. But before they are able to go inside, [[Jessie]] and [[James]] appear, [[List of Team Rocket's disguises|disguised]] as surveyors from the Pokémon Bureau, and demand that they inspect every {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} before anyone can enter the Gym. They take {{AP|Pikachu}} before they run off with him. Soon afterwards, they're floating away in their [[Team Rocket's mechas|Meowth Balloon]], and the so-called inspectors reveal their true identities. Ash commands Pikachu to use {{m|ThunderShock}}, however the attack fails because Pikachu is in an electric-proof glass case.

Ash sends out {{AP|Heracross}} to save Pikachu, but {{MTR}} drops a jar of sap to distract Heracross. Then, Ash and {{ashfr}} notice there is someone hang-gliding next to {{TRT}}'s balloon. Then, the hang-glider signals for his {{p|Hoothoot}} to take Pikachu. Hoothoot grabs Pikachu's case with its talons, and flies back to its {{pkmn|Trainer}}. With Pikachu in hand the hang-glider begins his descent. While the hang-glider is trying to land, Jessie has {{TP|Jessie|Arbok}} use {{m|Poison Sting}} to poke holes in his sail. The hang-glider leaps, and sends out his {{p|Pidgeot}} to save him from falling. The pair make their way towards Team Rocket, evading another of Arbok's Poison Stings before puncturing the hot air balloon.

After Team Rocket has blasted off, the hang-glider finally lands and gives Pikachu back to Ash. Misty commends Pidgeot's speed, and Ash is reminded of his own {{AP|Pidgeot}} and that one day he'll see it again. The hang-glider mentions about how much he loves riding on {{t|Flying}} Pokémon and that they are his favorite [[type]]. {{an|Brock}} asks why he loves them so much, to which he responds that it's because he's always wanted to fly through the sky since he was a little boy. Then he says he learned how to hang-glide in order to understand his Pokémon better. He also mentions how mad he gets when people always say that Flying Pokémon stand no chance against {{t|Electric}} Pokémon. Misty quickly agrees with him, but instead with the sense of {{t|Water}} Pokémon. Finally, Ash introduces himself, and the hang-glider introduces himself as [[Falkner]], the [[Violet City]] [[Gym Leader]].

Falkner escorts Ash and his friends to the Violet [[Gym]], and after a short elevator ride, they reach the Gym's rooftop battlefield. Ash and Falkner take their positions, and the [[Battle judge]] explains that each Trainer can use can use three Pokémon. Once the match begins, Falkner starts with Hoothoot, and Ash decides to send out {{AP|Chikorita}}. Falkner scolds Ash for sending out a Pokémon that is weak to Flying Pokémon. Ash defends himself by saying that not everyone should judge by type. Chikorita starts out with a {{m|Vine Whip}}, but Hoothoot dodges it by {{m|Fly}}ing into the sky. Chikorita still tries hitting Hoothoot with a Vine Whip, but Hoothoot still dodges and attacks Chikorita with {{m|Peck}}. Chikorita uses {{m|Razor Leaf}}, but Hoothoot dodges and knocks Chikorita out with {{m|Tackle}}.

Ash decides to use Pikachu next. Pikachu uses {{m|Agility}} in order to avoid getting tackled. Hoothoot is struck down by Pikachu's {{m|Thunderbolt}} and finished off by a {{m|Quick Attack}}. Falkner then sends out his {{p|Dodrio}} and mentions that no challenger has ever defeated it. Both Pikachu and Dodrio start off the match by using Agility. Although Pikachu tries using Thunderbolt, Dodrio dodges it by jumping up high. Dodrio then attacks Pikachu with {{m|Fury Attack}} and {{m|Drill Peck}}. While Dodrio is building up its {{m|Tri Attack}}, Pikachu bounces off the center Dodrio's head and into the air. Dodrio is startled and loses its [[move]], and Pikachu takes it down with {{m|Thunder}}. Dodrio is cheered on by Falkner's apprentices to get up, but it ultimately faints.

Falkner sends out his last Pokémon, which is Pidgeot. Pikachu is really tired by now, and Ash is told by Misty and Brock to give him a rest. Ash asks Pikachu if he wants to take a break, but Pikachu is willing to fight. Pikachu starts the match with a Thunderbolt, but Pidgeot easily dodges it by flying. Pidgeot then takes Pikachu down with a {{m|Whirlwind}}. Ash then sends out {{AP|Charizard}} to battle. Both Charizard and Pidgeot are told to fly into the air, then Ash tells Charizard to use {{m|Flamethrower}}, but Pidgeot dodges. Charizard consistently uses Flamethrower and Pidgeot uses Agility to get out of the way. Pidgeot then whips up a Whirlwind to hit Charizard with its own Flamethrower, sending it back onto the ground. Pidgeot approaches with a {{m|Wing Attack}}, and Ash commands Charizard to fly, but its wing is hurt. Pidgeot lands a direct hit, knocking Charizard to the ground again. Charizard is also hit with a Quick Attack, which leaves Ash wondering what he should do. Falkner tells him to forfeit, but Ash refuses to.

Charizard soon becomes strong enough to fly and dodges a Quick Attack. Pidgeot uses its Agility to appear behind Charizard, and it strikes Charizard with a follow up Quick Attack. This happens again, but Charizard doesn't give up. Charizard then flies behind Pidgeot, and when Pidgeot disappears and then reappears behind Charizard, Charizard turns around and surrounds it with {{m|Fire Spin}}. Charizard then finishes off Pidgeot by using {{m|Seismic Toss}}. Although Pidgeot is cheered on to get up, it faints, which means that Ash has won the match against Falkner.

Falkner presents Ash with the {{Badge|Zephyr}}. Falkner admits that Ash has inspired him to work more and train harder. He also wishes Ash luck in the [[Johto League]]. Ash, Misty and Brock wave goodbye to Falkner and his apprentices as they begin ther journey towards the [[Azalea Gym|next Gym]]. As for Team Rocket, they are trapped inside their deflated balloon and being pecked by an angry [[horde]] of {{p|Spearow}} and {{p|Fearow}}.