EP248: Difference between revisions

James decides to be the first opponent, and he picks a Poké Ball from the basket, which turns out to be a {{p|Venusaur}}. Ash selects his {{type|Fire}} {{AP|Cyndaquil}} to give him the advantage over Venusaur who is a {{t|Grass}} Pokémon. James starts off with a {{m|Razor Leaf}} attack, saying he was used to Grass-type moves from having a {{TP|James|Victreebel}}. Cyndaquil dodges all the leaves, which instead slice through the surrounding trees. James continues with a {{m|Tackle}} attack, which knocks Cyndaquil into a tree. Venusaur now uses a {{m|Vine Whip}} attack, which Cyndaquil manages to dodge by jumping away, causing the vines to instead hit another tree which also falls. James tries another Vine Whip attack, which knocks Cyndaquil to the ground. Another powerful Razor Leaf attack is fired at Cyndaquil, but it escapes in a haze of {{m|Smokescreen}}. Cyndaquil takes control of the round with a {{m|Swift}} attack and follows it up with a {{m|Flamethrower}}. Venusaur stands up and uses a {{m|Solar Beam}} attack, which overpowers the Cyndaquil’s counter Flamethrower. The Solar Beam pushes Cyndaquil into a tree trunk, and this turns out to be the end for Cyndaquil. Ash is thrilled to have a challenging battle and is keen for another round of practice.

The second battle has now begun; while James and Meowth were arguing about who was to go next, Jessie sneaks in behind them and grabs a Poké Ball containing a {{p|Charizard}}, and Ash responds by choosing his {{AP|Totodile}}. Jessie, used to fighting with her {{TP|Jessie|Arbok}}, orders a {{m|Poison Sting}} attack. As nothing happened, Ash lands a direct hit with {{m|Water Gun}}. After Jessie rejects the guidebook from Meowth, she orders the Charizard to use a {{m|Dig}} attack, which to everybody's surprise, it performs. Totodile narrowly avoids the follow-up {{m|Iron Tail}} attack. Charizard uses another Iron Tail, but Totodile dodges it and strikes back with a {{m|Headbutt}} attack. Ash orders a {{m|Scary Face}} attack, but Charizard uses an even scarier face. Jessie and Ash continue to up the stakes until both Totodile and Charizard collapse. Totodile gets up however and uses another Water Gun. After some thinking, Jessie commands the Charizard to fly up and dodge it, and use a Flamethrower attack. Ash responds to this by using yet another Water Gun, but it is overpowered by Charizard's intense Flamethrower. Totodile stands to its feet. Jessie uses another Flamethrower, but Totodile aims a Water Gun attack towards the ground, causing it to fly up behind Charizard. The maneuver gives Totodile the advantage, and it lands a Water Gun on Charizard, who crashes to the ground, ending the match.

As the third battle was about to start, James and Meowth once again argue, Jessie grabs the remaining Poké Ball and calls out a {{p|Blastoise}}, so Ash selects his Pikachu. Jessie chooses to battle by the book this time. While she was reading, Pikachu uses a Quick Attack. Jessie gets her act together and orders Blastoise to use a {{m|Skull Bash}} attack, which Pikachu manages to dodge. Jessie reads up on how to counter speed and commands Blastoise to use a {{m|Bubble}} attack. Nonetheless, Pikachu gets passed the suds and uses another Quick Attack. Ash decides to end this battle and Pikachu uses a Thunderbolt, but Blastoise {{m|Withdraw}}s into its shell. A follow-up {{m|Hydro Pump}} attack blasts Pikachu into a tree. Blastoise uses another Hydro Pump, keeping Pikachu pinned to the tree. Ash is feeling the pressure now, and Pikachu's Thunderbolt fails to defeat Blastoise. Pikachu now uses a {{m|Thunder}} so strong that it causes the ground to split. Jessie rushes to Blastoise's aid, only to be hit by the electricity and crushed by Blastoise.  

She quickly recalls Blastoise and sends out her own Arbok. Pikachu evades the Poison Sting, but he is nabbed by James and Meowth, who have since fetched the [[Team Rocket's mechas|Rocket balloon]]. Jessie swiftly removes her disguise, revealing her true Team Rocket identity. James also reveals they had taken a sack of park Poké Balls as well. Out of nowhere, a park guard shows up, informing them that they cannot take those. As Team Rocket was about to escape, Ash calls out his Totodile, and Misty selects her {{TP|Misty|Politoed}}. Ash and Misty both command their Pokémon to use a Water Gun attack, but only Totodile actually performs the move, which regardless breaks the steel arm holding Pikachu. Misty, upset with her Politoed as it continues to claps its hands together, orders it to use another Water Gun. This time, Politoed follows the command and blasts a giant hole in Team Rocket's balloon. As Ash, Misty, Brock, and the park warden approach Team Rocket's crashed balloon, the trio calls out the rental Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise. As Team Rocket basks in their power, the three Pokémon turn against them. The park warden proclaims that they are only obedient within the park. A combined Flamethrower, Hydro Pump, and Solar Beam hits Team Rocket and blasts them off.

The group continues their trek towards Blackthorn City by sunset. Misty admits that while Ash just battled against Team Rocket, the opportunity to go up against three very powerful Pokémon is invaluable. Ash agrees and declares that the practice has motivated him to win his final [[Badge]].