DP133: Difference between revisions

Following {{Ash}}’s [[Full Battle]] [[DP132|loss]] against [[Paul]], [[Nurse Joy]] is working overtime to heal all of {{cat|Ash's Pokémon}}, each of whom have suffered extensive damage and are wrapped with lots of bandages. {{an|Dawn}} and {{an|Brock}} try to stay positive, but Ash walks outside to clear his head. Dawn, having dealt with [[DP061|low self-confidence]] once, tries to help, but Brock stops her, letting him go for now.  

Outside, {{TRT}}, still [[List of Team Rocket's disguises|disguised]] as the cleanup crew, finish their work fixing the battlefield at the Lake Acuity Pokémon Center. [[Jessie]] believes the heroes will stay put for a while, given the damage Ash's Pokémon suffered. [[James]] and {{MTR}} commend the efforts of Ash's Pokémon and the inspiring evolution of {{AP|Monferno}}, but Jessie is quick to diss Ash for losing in a 6-2 landslide. After some deliberation, James believes Ash is most likely depressed, so Jessie plots to steal {{AP|Pikachu}} while Ash is too sad to care.  

Still watching the treatment, Dawn slumps to the floor, feeling helpless at not being able to do anything for the injured Pokémon. {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}} notices and gets an idea. Piplup makes faces and tries to be funny, which gives Dawn the idea to create a show to cheer Ash up and she runs off to plan. Having finished the bandaging and with Ash's Pokémon resting, Nurse Joy and Brock tidy things up and put the medical supplies away. When Nurse Joy compliments Brock's triage capabilities, he replies by flirting, but the theat of {{TP|Brock|Croagunk}}'s {{m|Poison Jab}} causes him to halt his advance and beg with Croagunk for mercy. Surprisingly, Brock's pleading works and Croagunk simply walks away. Nurse Joy notices that Monferno is recovering slower than the others and requests some [[Cheri Berry|Cheri Berries]]. As Brock searches the surrounding forest for the Berries with a bag in hand, he has trouble finding them. He reaches [[Lake Acuity]] and takes in the scenery. He then notices a ripple on the lake and spots a shadow of a Pokémon, {{DL|Lake guardians (anime)|Uxie}}'s projected soul. Before he can run any closer to inspect it, the shadow disappears. As he wonders about what he just saw, he notices an object to his left and glances that way, finding a Cheri Berry bush. While Dawn continues to practice back at the Center, Brock has returned with the Berries, which are then mashed up, and Nurse Joy proceeds to feed Monferno. Joy smiles as Monferno quickly perks up before telling Brock they can relax now.  

Meanwhile, Ash is lying in a field, replaying various portions of his most recent loss to Paul in his head. He remembers how his poor judgment resulted in {{AP|Grotle}}'s second defeat to {{TP|Paul|Honchkrow}} and {{AP|Gliscor}}'s loss to {{TP|Paul|Torterra}}, how {{TP|Paul|Ursaring}} took out half of his [[Party|team]], and how Monferno couldn't defeat {{TP|Paul|Electabuzz}} despite having just evolved. He rolls over to his side and notices {{AP|Pikachu}} standing beside him, not the least bit upset. His other Pokémon are there as well, all still bandaged but, on their feet, and celebrating being with Ash. However, their over-enthusiasm quickly gives way to their exhaustion and lingering damage. Ash is slightly concerned but he starts to laugh. Ash gets his fighting spirit back and tells his team that Paul's Pokémon are strong because he raised them to be that way, and now it's time for them to improve their {{pkmn|training}} by working longer and harder than ever before. He inspires his Pokémon, all rushing to give him a group hug, knocking him to the ground as everyone laughs together, reaffirming their loyalty and [[friendship]] with him. As they head back, Ash's stomach rumbles as he's forgotten to eat earlier in the day, generating another bout of laughter for the Pokémon as they continue on. In the bushes, Team Rocket watches, mistakenly believing that Ash is still miserable.

As Ash he returns to the Center, everyone is gathered around to discuss Brock's sighting. In the Center's small library, Ash and Dawn research on the computer as Brock and Nurse Joy pour over numerous books. Joy finds an illustration in a book of the [[Lake guardians]] and points out to Brock the one of Uxie, which is the one he saw. He remarks though that it looked like a shadow instead of a physical form. Dawn and Ash recount [[DP001|their]] [[DP078|sightings]] of {{p|Mesprit}} and {{p|Azelf}}. Joy reads that the legend says that all three Pokémon originated from the same {{pkmn|Egg}}. Uxie, Mesprit and Azelf are beings that symbolize specific traits that just happens to correspond to Brock, Dawn and Ash respectively: Wisdom, Emotion, and Willpower. The three Pokémon are said to balance [[Sinnoh]], and Brock wonders if their sightings are more than coincidence. Ash begins to laugh, thinking all of the sightings are interesting, but Dawn worries he is putting up a facade. Ash is confused by this statement, but Dawn brushes it off and says she has something to show Ash.

Later Ash and the others gather to watch Dawn's show in the lobby. Nurse Joy mentioning that Dawn prepared it mainly to cheer up Ash and his Pokémon. Dawn has her Pokémon pull funny faces and pose for a comedic routine. Though the laughs stops when Team Rocket arrives. Still thinking Ash is upset, Team Rocket proceeds to indirectly insult Ash and rub in his loss while singing and playing various instruments. It doesn't have any effect, so {{MTR}} launches an electric-proof net and catches Pikachu. Team Rocket removes their disguises and recites [[Team Rocket mottos|their motto]] before proceeding to flee. Ash and his friends chase after the trio, so Jessie has her {{TP|Jessie|Seviper}} launch {{m|Haze}}, but {{AP|Buizel}}'s {{m|Water Pulse}} negates it. Pikachu tries a {{m|Thunderbolt}}, but the net absorbs it. Ash has Gliscor stop them with {{m|Sand-Attack}}, though [[Jessie's Yanmega]] knocks it back with a {{m|SonicBoom}}. James has {{TP|James|Carnivine}} launch a {{m|Bullet Seed}}, but {{AP|Staraptor}}'s {{m|Aerial Ace}} and Grotle's {{m|Energy Ball}} [[fainting|knocks out]] both Yanmega and Carnivine, much to Team Rocket's shock. Monferno follows up with {{m|Mach Punch}} to knock Team Rocket away and free Pikachu from the net. Pikachu rejoins Ash and the others as Team Rocket notices that their plan backfired. Jessie wonders which of them was foolish enough to believe that Ash would be too depressed to care if Pikachu was stolen but is shocked when James and Meowth point the blame at her. Jessie attempts to deflect, resulting in more arguing. Their bickering ceases when they notice Ash standing with all of his Pokémon, each with renewed fire burning in their eyes. One by one, Ash calls for Buizel's {{m|Aqua Jet}}, Staraptor's Aerial Ace, Grotle's Energy Ball, Gliscor's {{m|X-Scissor}}, Monferno's {{m|Flamethrower}} and Pikachu's {{m|Quick Attack}}. As all six attacks race toward them, Team Rocket and their Pokémon scream in pure terror, a massive explosion sending them blasting off. Ash and his Pokémon celebrate the victory as everyone else notices that Ash is back on track. Dawn is inspired by the display of teamwork, deciding to plan for her next [[Pokémon Contest]] as Nurse Joy mentions that the [[Lilypad Town]] Contest is a short time away. Back at the Center, Joy gives the group southwards directions and offers them a meal before they set off.