Ash's Butterfree: Difference between revisions

Butterfree first appeared as a {{p|Caterpie}} at the end of ''[[EP002|Pokémon Emergency]]'', where it was staring at the group as they passed by. {{an|Misty}} was freaked out because it was a {{type|Bug}} {{OBP|Pokémon|species}}, and insisted that Ash do something. Ash then pulled out a {{i|Poké Ball}} and threw it at Caterpie, hoping to catch it. In [[EP003|the next episode]], Ash managed to successfully catch the [[Pokémon category|Worm Pokémon]], making it the first [[wild Pokémon]] he ever caught. Remarkably, Ash caught it without initiating a [[Pokémon battle]], which Misty attributed to Caterpie's weakness. Caterpie was quite fond of Misty, but, much to Caterpie's dismay, she kept her distance due to her fear. At night, Caterpie and [[Ash's Pikachu]] talked things over, and Caterpie revealed its desire to [[Evolution|evolve]] into a {{p|Butterfree}}. It became very sad as it was not sure it could do it, but Pikachu offered his support.

The next day, Caterpie was the first Pokémon Ash sent out against the next Pokémon he tried to capture, {{AP|Pidgeotto}}. With a large disadvantage against the {{type|Flying}} Pokémon, it was beaten severely and was quickly substituted for Pikachu. Later, when {{TRT}} appeared to attempt to steal Pikachu, Ash sent out his weakened Caterpie after Pikachu had been blinded and Pidgeotto was defeated. Despite Team Rocket's ridicule, it managed to take down both [[James's Koffing]] and [[Jessie's Ekans]] by using {{m|String Shot}} and {{m|Tackle}}, causing Team Rocket to run away. Just as Misty was about to get over her fear and congratulate Caterpie on its victory, it suddenly evolved into {{p|Metapod}}, which bothered her even more.

In ''[[EP004|Challenge of the Samurai]]'', Metapod was sent out in a battle against [[Samurai]]. Despite only being able to use {{m|Harden}}, it managed to defeat his {{p|Pinsir}} by solidifying so much that the Stag Beetle Pokémon's pincers broke. Samurai then decided to send his own Metapod out against Ash's. Neither, however, could attack as both sides could only use the [[move]] Harden. The battle was then interrupted by a swarm of {{p|Beedrill}}, and Metapod was carried off after Ash forgot to recall it. Ash felt guilty about this and became determined to get his Metapod back, finding it with a hive of {{p|Kakuna}}. Team Rocket showed up and woke up the whole hive of Beedrill with their {{motto}}, giving Ash a chance to rescue his Metapod. Metapod, however, was unhappy with Ash, but the Trainer tried to make an excuse and claim he didn't abandon Metapod. When Ash tripped on a rock and dropped Metapod, he owned up to his mistake and swore to never leave his Pokémon behind again. Metapod was moved by this and, seeing a Beedrill about to attack Ash, leaped up and took the blow, breaking the Beedrill's stinger and getting a large gash in its shell. Metapod then evolved into Butterfree and stopped all the Beedrill with its {{m|Sleep Powder}} attack.

In ''[[EP007|The Water Flowers of Cerulean City]]'', Butterfree was used in Ash's [[Cerulean Gym]] battle against Misty, where it faced her {{TP|Misty|Staryu}}. Butterfree managed to hit {{p|Staryu}} with Tackle and then dodged Staryu's. As Staryu landed, it lost its balance, giving Butterfree the chance to hit it with two more Tackles. Staryu then scored a hit with {{m|Water Gun}} and kept firing off the attack. Butterfree, however, dodged them all and crippled Staryu with {{m|Stun Spore}}. Misty had Staryu jump into the water to wash the spores off. When Butterfree went for Sleep Powder, Staryu dodged it by diving into the water and kept using Tackle from underwater. Butterfree was then struck by a Tackle and knocked into the water. With its wings wet, Ash was forced to concede the round and recall Butterfree to the safety of its Poké Ball.

In ''[[EP015|Battle Aboard the St. Anne]]'', Ash used it in a battle against a {{tc|Gentleman}} and his {{AP|Raticate}}. Butterfree countered Raticate's {{m|Jump Kick}} with Tackle. After dodging a {{m|Hyper Fang}}, Butterfree crippled it with Stun Spore. As Ash was about to finish the battle, the Gentleman called the battle off and declared it a draw, despite Butterfree's almost certain victory. The Gentleman then approached Ash and asked to [[trade]] the Pokémon. Ash accepted but quickly regretted the decision after realizing his attachment to Butterfree. Later, Ash managed to exchange the Raticate for his Butterfree. While he was reunited with his friend, the decision led Ash and {{ashfr}} to be left trapped aboard the sinking [[S.S. Anne|St. Anne]].

In ''[[EP019|Tentacool & Tentacruel]]'', Butterfree flew {{AP|Bulbasaur}} into battle with a [[Giant Pokémon|giant]] {{p|Tentacruel}}, but it was knocked out by Tentacruel's attack.

The last time Butterfree was seen with Ash was in ''[[EP021|Bye-Bye Butterfree]]''. At the start of this episode, Ash saw a large number of Butterfree flying around in the sky, and {{an|Brock}} told him that it was the Butterfree mating season. Ash realized that his Butterfree would probably want to have {{p|Caterpie|babies}} like the other Butterfree, so he and his friends rented a hot air balloon and watched Butterfree mingle with the others. Despite Brock's encouragement for Butterfree to choose one belonging to a cute female Trainer, Butterfree had its heart set on a [[pink Butterfree]]. It tried to impress the pink Butterfree with some fancy flying, only to be rejected with a slap to the face. Heartbroken, it flew into the woods below, followed by Ash and his friends who tried to encourage Butterfree, telling it to be assertive and tying a yellow ribbon around its neck to help it catch the pink Butterfree's eye.  

Butterfree tried a second time to impress the pink Butterfree with its {{m|Whirlwind}} and Tackle attacks, but this tactic also failed. Then, Team Rocket showed up in a helicopter and captured all the Butterfree, with exception of Ash's, in a giant net. Butterfree pursued them, followed by the group in their hot air balloon, and they headed into a canyon where the Butterfree were stashed. While Ash handled the Rocket trio, Butterfree freed the captured Butterfree from their cage. Team Rocket tried a second time to capture all the Butterfree, only to be stopped by both Butterfree and Pikachu. Afterward, the pink Butterfree approached Ash's Butterfree and the two paired up. The two departed as Ash watched in tears, remembering what the two had been through together and wishing his dear friend a fond farewell.

As a Caterpie, it had a very happy but shy attitude, shown to suffer from low self-esteem if it didn't make a good first impression. It was very hurt when Misty didn't take to it. It was also very brave, squaring up against a {{AP|Pidgeotto}} and then both of {{TRT}}'s Pokémon single-handedly. Its personality mellowed as a Metapod, becoming very laidback, but remained extremely loyal to its Trainer, jumping in front of a Beedrill to save him. After evolving into a Butterfree, it retained its bravery and positive attitude, but as was seen in ''[[EP021|Bye-Bye Butterfree]]'', its self-esteem still suffered when it didn't make a good first impression.