EP161: Difference between revisions

On their way to [[Ecruteak City]], {{Ash}} and {{ashfr}} stumble across a [[Bug-Catching Contest]]. They learn from the event announcer the rules of the contest. Each participant is given a special [[Sport Ball|Park Ball]]. They are to enter the [[National Park]] and, using only one {{OBP|Pokémon|species}}, catch the strongest {{type|Bug}} Pokémon they can find. Whoever gets the strongest one wins the competition and, in addition to keeping the Pokémon they catch, they also win a [[Sun Stone]]. While {{an|Misty}} isn't too keen, Ash decides to enter the contest to get a new Pokémon. While registering, he encounters {{an|Casey}}, who tells him that she is entering the contest as well, and that she intends to beat Ash no matter what the cost.

The competitors are informed of the rules and each receives a Park Ball. A crowd, including {{an|Brock}} and Misty, watch the contest unfold on a screen in an amphitheater. Ash quickly spots a {{p|Weedle}}. He orders {{AP|Pikachu}} to attack it, but before he can engage it Casey appears and attacks it with her {{p|Chikorita}}. She easily catches it and continues on her way, ignoring Ash's protest that he saw it first.

In another part of the forest, {{TRT}} attempts to use their stolen Venomoth costume to attract Pokémon. Jessie succeeds in luring a {{pkmn2|wild}} Venomoth towards her, but gets hit with {{m|Stun Spore}} when the {{t|Bug}} Pokémon realizes she's a fake. As they recover from the attack James and Meowth decide to try a different plan.

Meanwhile, Casey orders Chikorita to start attacking trees and manages to knock some wild {{p|Pineco}} out of their hiding spots. After a short battle, Chikorita manages to defeat them and the two continue on their way. Watching from the amphitheater Misty and Brock comment on her momentum. However, Misty's attention is taken away from the contest when several Bug Pokémon appear nearby.

Back in the forest, Casey notices Chikorita lagging behind, still tired from its previous {{pkmn|battle}}s. Still wanting to win she tells it not to give up, and the pair continues their hunt. They soon encounter a rare {{p|Scyther}}. Despite Chikorita's obvious exhaustion Casey orders it to attack and the tired Pokémon soon finds itself in a battle it can't win. At the last moment, Ash appears with Pikachu and saves Chikorita. He yells at Casey for being an irresponsible Trainer then lures the Scyther away so that she and Chikorita can rest. Not wanting to listen to him, Casey tries to encourage Chikorita, only to realize that it has run away. Misty's {{TP|Misty|Togepi}} wanders into the forest and finds Chikorita hiding in a bush, and tries to cheer it up. Misty and Brock soon appear looking for it and Casey stumbles upon them a moment later. She calls Chikorita over to her but is surprised to find that it refuses to listen to her. Misty tells her it's because she'd ignored Chikorita's feelings, and made it fight until it collapsed. Realizing her mistake Casey tearfully apologizes to Chikorita, who joyfully jumps into her arms.

Meanwhile, Ash and Pikachu continue their pursuit of the Scyther. Following it through a bush they accidentally disturb a small swarm of {{p|Beedrill}}. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ash orders Pikachu to use {{m|Thunderbolt}} on {{TP|Casey|one of them|Beedrill}}, and throws his Park Ball at it, successfully catching it. The two begin to celebrate but suddenly fall into one of Team Rocket's infamous pit traps. The pit drops them into an insulated cage, and the pair are quickly lifted off by [[Team Rocket's mechas|Team Rocket's hot air balloon]].

Misty, Brock, and Casey come running to help Ash and Pikachu. Casey orders Chikorita to use {{m|Razor Leaf}} but finds that it's too weak to damage the balloon or free Ash. Taunting the people on the ground, Meowth pulls out a large rocket and prepares to fire it at them. In response to this new threat Casey's Chikorita suddenly [[Evolution|evolves]] into a {{TP|Casey|Bayleef}} and easily deflects Meowth's attack. Using Razor Leaf again, Bayleef is able to free Ash and Pikachu who quickly send Team Rocket blasting off with a Thunderbolt.

With the Beedrill he caught Ash wins the contest, earning him a Sun Stone as well allowing him to keep Beedrill. Ash, however, decides to give his Beedrill away to Casey, as thanks for her help against Team Rocket and also because of her obsession with black and yellow-striped Pokémon. She tearfully accepts his gift and happily sings the {{p|Electabuzz}} Fight song before parting ways with Misty, Brock, and him again.

* Ash, Casey, and {{TRT}} enter a [[Bug-Catching Contest]].

* Ash gives his {{TP|Casey|Beedrill}} to Casey.

* Casey telling her Chikorita to "Show the power of the machine gun battling line!" is a reference to the "Machine Gun Offense" used by the {{wp|Yokohama DeNA BayStars}}, during their 1998 season.