Today on their journey, Ash & Co. are still on their way to Ecruteak City, when Ash suddenly falls to the ground with stomach ache. Misty and Brock accuse him of eating too much again. Pikachu asks him if he's alright, but he says he'll be OK. He tries to stand up again, but falls back down in pain. Realising that Ash needs help, Misty asks Brock if he has anything he can give him. Unfortunately he doesn't. As they wonder what to do, a voice behind them asks if it can help. They look around, but are unable to see anyone. Looking down, they notice a little old man stood in front of them. Surprised, Brock jumps back, thinking it's a troll, which angers the little man. He introduces himself as Old Man Shuckle, then begins to walk away, annoyed at the insult. Brock apologises and asks him to come back, referring to him as Old Man Chuckle, which angers him even more. Misty asks him if he can cure Ash's stomach ache. After asking him a few questions, he gives Ash three pills. He swallows them, curing his stomach ache, but knocking him out soon after. As Brock tries to wake him up, Misty asks Old Man Shuckle what was in the medicine. He tells her that it's only what he puts in all of his Pokémon medicine. As she yells at him for giving Ash Pokémon medicine, Ash wakes up, declaring that the cure worked. Suddenly another pain comes on, which he recognises as a hunger pain. Old Man Shuckle walks over, telling them that the medicine he makes works for both Pokémon and humans. Brock seems shocked that he made the medicine all by himself. Old Man Shuckle then invites them to go with him so he can show them where he does his work. Brock tells him to lead the way.

He takes them to his house, showing them where he mixes the ingredients for his Pokémon medicine. Misty points out that all the ingredients are natural. Brock comments that the medicine he makes isn't ordinary natural medicine. Old Man Shuckle confirms this, saying that there is a secret to how he makes them. Brock begs him to tell him the secret. Old Man Shuckle say that he will and tells them to follow him.

He takes them out to a shed filled with oddly shaped pots. Misty picks one up, wondering what is inside. Something touches her arm and she drops it. As they watch the pot, a head and legs emerge revealing the pot to be a Shuckle. Old Man Shuckle tells them that without the Shuckle, he wouldn't be able to make his medicine. Brock wonders why, so the old man tells him that once he has mixed the ingredients together, he pours the mixture into the shells of the Shuckle and seals them up. After a while, it turns into a juice which contains many powerful properties. He tells them that the juice is the basis of all his medicines. He goes on to tell them that by using different ingredients and different Shuckle, he can make many different medicines and remedies. He points to one of the Pokémon, saying that it is just a regular Shuckle, then points to a purple one in a book, telling them that kind can make a juice that will allow anyone who uses it to tame any Pokémon. Brock begins to think of what he could do with the ability to tame any Pokémon, then asks Old Man Shuckle if he would mind giving him some of that Shuckle's juice. The old man tells him that it is very hard to find one of the rare purple Shuckle. He goes on to say that if he had a way of catching the purple Shuckle, he may be able to spare some of it's juice. He tells them that it can only be done with some very special help and begins calling out. Answering his call, a Bellsprout appears. He introduces it to them as Spoopy.

As they search for the purple Shuckle, the old man tells them that Spoopy can sniff out the Shuckle and is able to tell which ones have finished making juice. He tells them that going out and looking for the Shuckle with Spoopy is getting harder as he ages. Ash asks why he doesn't just catch them, but Old Man Shuckle tells him that only wild Shuckle produce juice strong enough to use. He goes on the explain that every year he fills the Shuckle up with his mixture, takes them back to the mountains then waits one whole year. Once a year has passed, he returns to the mountain with Spoopy to search for the Shuckle. He tells them that the reason he uses Spoopy is because the Shuckle are very skittish and hard to find. But even then he still needs help, which is the reason he asked them all to pitch in, and in exchange he'll let Brock have some purple Shuckle juice. Brock tells him that he will do anything to get some of the Pokémon taming juice.

Listening in on the conversation, Team Rocket hear about the purple Shuckle juice. They plan to find it, and steal the other Shuckle to make some money.

Out looking for the Shuckle, the old man gives each of Ash & Co. a trolley to collect the Pokémon in. Spoopy sniffs the air and, having picked up a scent, runs off in a cloud of dust. Ash & Co. chase after it, with Old Man Shuckle reminding them that he is counting on them to bring back the purple Shuckle. They follow Spoopy until it suddenly stops. It sniffs the air, the walks over to a rock. Using Vine Whip, it lifts the rock up, revealing a Shuckle underneath. It sniffs it, then shakes it's head. It uncovers even more Shuckle underneath nearby logs and rocks. Sniffing them, it decides that none of them are ready yet either. Finally it lifts another rock up as Ash & Co. finally catch up to it. It sniffs this one, then nods it's head. It picks it up with it's vines and throws it towards Ash & Co. Luckily Ash catches it. It looks under even more rocks, throwing the Shuckle that are ready up in the air. Pikachu tries to tell it to slow down, but is hit by a flying Shuckle. Once it's finished searching this area, it runs off again with Brock hot on it's heels, leaving Ash and Misty to pick up the scattered Shuckle. Chasing after Spoopy, Brock trips and goes soaring downhill in his trolley.

After collecting the Shuckle, Ash and Misty go in search of Brock and Spoopy. They find Brock in his trolley, crashed against a tree. He tells them that he was unable to keep up with Spoopy.

Still searching for Shuckle, Spoopy comes across a huge boulder. It sniffs it, then uses Vine Whip to lift it up, revealing the purple Shuckle.

Following the trail of Shuckle Spoopy left, they soon find it sat, talking to the purple Shuckle. As they watch the two talking, Team Rocket appear, reciting their motto and grabbing the purple Shuckle. Brock runs at them, attempting to take it, but James sends out Weezing who uses Smokescreen. As the smoke clears, the Trio are nowhere to be seen. Brock notices Spoopy sniffing. He asks it if it's picking up the Shuckle's scent, which it confirms.

After running away from Ash & Co. Team Rocket stop, thirsty from the run. James asks Meowth where their water bottle is, but he doesn't have it. Jessie shakes the Shuckle, hearing the liquid inside. James suggests one of them should try the juice to see if it's safe. They pin Meowth down and force him to try it. After finding it to be safe, Jessie has a drink. Then James. The three of them then begin to fight over who should have another drink.

Looking for the Trio, Spoopy leads Ash & Co. to the side of a stream. As they wait for it to pick the scent up again, they notice all of the Shuckle coming out of the forest and heading in the same direction. As Ash wonders what's going on, Old Man Shuckle appears, telling them that there can only be one explanation for the Shuckle's behaviour; the people who stole the purple one must be drinking the juice. He tells them that if they follow the Pokémon, they will lead them right to the thieves.

After drinking the juice, Jessie and James sit on the ground, relaxing. Turning around, James notices Meowth staring at him lovingly.

Following the Shuckle, Brock wonders why the Pokémon would be going towards someone just because they drank the purple Shuckle juice. Old Man Shuckle explains that drinking the juice undiluted causes the drinkers body to produce a certain pheromone which Pokémon are highly attracted to. If they smell it, they will follow the scent for up to three days and three nights. Brock points out that it means Team Rocket may be in quite a bit of trouble.

As Meowth proclaims his undying love for James, Jessie feels something on her arm. Looking, she sees a Shuckle clinging on to her with the same loving look Meowth has in his eyes. Turning around she notices a whole army of the Pokémon with the exact same look, staring at her.

Ash & Co. are still looking for the Trio, and it isn't long before they find them as they notice them running down the path followed by an army of Shuckle. One of the Shuckle licks Jessie, causing her to fall to the ground in defeat. Confronting the Trio, Brock tells them the mistake they've made by drinking the Shuckle juice undiluted, explaining that now they will be relentlessly followed for three days and nights due to the juices properties. Misty tells them to give the purple Shuckle to them, but they refuse. Jessie sends out Arbok and Wobbuffet to attack, but they just stick right by their trainer, looking at her in love. James tells her not to worry, sending out Victreebell who latches onto his head. Jessie wonders if it's doing so because of the juice, or just because it wants to. Since their Pokémon aren't being much use, they recall them. Ash orders Pikachu to use Thunderbolt, but the he is affected too and goes up to the Trio, jumping into Jessie's arms and cuddling up to her. Realising things have gone too far, Old Man Shuckle throws a powder over the Trio, returning all of the Pokémon to normal. As they prepare to escape, the purple Shuckle licks Jessie, causing her to throw it in the air in disgust. Spoopy saves it by using Vine Whip. Jessie doesn’t seem too bothered about losing Shuckle as they still have the smitten Pikachu. Ash points out that Pikachu's feelings may have changed now. It uses Thunderbolt, sending the Trio blasting off again.

Later that day, Old Man Shuckle thanks Ash & Co. for all of their help, telling them that thanks to them, he has collected more Shuckle juice than ever before. Remembering his promise, he offers the purple Shuckle juice to Brock. He thanks the old man, but declines, saying that he would now rather tame Pokémon the real way using his natural abilities and knowledge. He tells the old man that he wants to be the worlds best breeder, but only if he can do it fair and square. Old Man Shuckle tells him that he is wise beyond his years, and that he wishes him success. A few minutes later, Old Man Shuckle and Spoopy stand outside as they wave Ash & Co. off to continue their journey through Johto.

As for Team Rocket, well lets just say the effects of the juice haven't completely worn off, but when it does they're going to be in trouble.

This episode guide has been written by The Librarian.

Characters appearing in this episode

Ash

Misty

Brock

Jessie

James

Meowth

Ash's Pikachu

Pokémon appearing in this episode

• Pikachu belonging to Ash
• Meowth

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