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This episode is essential viewing because: Ash catches a Charmander.

This episode begins with the group being lost. They have been lost ten days. Then they see a giant Pokemon!

They get closer, only to see it's an adorable Charmander sitting on a rock. Ash's Pokedex says that it is said a Charmander will die if its tail flame ever goes out. Ash tries to catch it, but it knocks the Pokeball away. Brock points out how small the tail flame is. Ash throws the ball again, and it captures the Charmander for a moment, but it gets free. Pikachu talks to it to find out that it was waiting for its trainer to come get it.

They decide it would be better for its trainer to get it, so they leave. It starts raining and they see a Poke Center and go in.

Meanwhile, we see Charmander, still on the rock, curled up under a leaf, trying to stay out of the rain.

At the center, Brock is worried about the Charmander. He hopes the trainer has come got it.

Across the room, a guy is showing off his many Pokemon. His name is Damien, and he tells about leaving his Charmander on that rock because it was too weak. Brock gets extremely mad, walks over to Damien, and tells him to go get Charmander, who is still waiting on that rock.

They are about to have a Pokemon battle, but Joy stops them. She says Pokemon should not be used in personal fights, as it's disrespectful to them.

Brock sees Joy and gets all weird, saying how pretty she is. Misty points out that she looks just like the other Joys. Ash said. "Yeah, its a Joy-full world."

Later, Ash, Misty and Brock are out in the rain, looking for Charmander. Meanwhile, Charmander is still on the rock. Dozens of Spearow come out of the forest and start attacking it! Ash has Pikachu shock them.

Brock picks up Charmander, and Ash says he will keep its tail lit. They run to the Pokemon Center. Charmander is very weak. Joy blames Ash at first, but then they tell her it was Damien. Joy promises she will save it.

They wait for a long time. Brock hopes the Charmander will hold on. Joy walks out of the emergency room. Charmander is okay! Finally, everyone goes to sleep.

The next day, Charmander is found to be missing! It ran away during the night! It probably went back to the rock, and there is nothing they can do.

A small distance from the center, Charmander, with a fully lit tail, is walking away. In the center, Brock wonders why it doesn't understand that they're the ones that care about it. However, it can't forget Damien.

Team Rocket! Somewhere in the forest, they have come up with a plan to catch Pikachu. They drill a hole with a weird machine, then hide as Ash, Misty, Brock and Pikachu come. Pikachu walks right over, but the others fall in.

Pikachu tries shocking Team Rocket, but they are wearing rubber suits! Pikachu runs and James fires a balloon bazooka, which chases and captures Pikachu! Team Rocket has captured Pikachu!

Charmander appears. It tells them to let Pikachu go, or else...! It then proceeds to fry Team Rocket, who run away. Then after the others get out of the hole, Damien shows up. Ash asks Charmander to join them. Damien lies that he had been looking for Charmander, just like he promised. Charmander is unsure.

Damiensays that now he knows how powerful Charmander is, he wants it back. He says the best part is that he didn't have to raise it himself! Brock says thats the best part and Damien says its the most boring.

Damien throws the Pokeball at Charmander, but it hits it with its tail, so the ball hits Damien right in the face! Damien shouts that he will use all his Pokemon against him, but Charmander fries him and Damien runs off.

Brock says that Ash could have Charmander. Ash throws the Poke Ball, and Charmander jumps inside.

This episode guide has been written by flik.

Characters appearing in this episode

Ash

Misty

Brock

Nurse Joy

Jessie

James

Meowth

Damien

Ash's Pikachu

Pokémon appearing in this episode

• Charmander belonging to Ash: Originally Damien's
  
• Spearow
• Pikachu belonging to Ash
• Meowth

Moves used in this episode

• Scratch by Meowth
• Thundershock by Pikachu

Items seen in this episode

• Pokeball