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This episode is essential viewing because: Ash reaches Cinnabar Island and begins his Gym Battle against Blaine.

Ash and his friends are on a boat on their way to Cinnabar Island, where Ash hopes to earn a Volcano Badge. Misty says she can't wait and Brock says that the Pokémon Laboratory there is supposed to be the best in the world. Ash says he's going straight to the gym. They hear a familiar voice and see Gary, surrounded by his fan club, wearing a Hawaiian shirt and shorts and a straw hat. He sees Ash and says that Ash is a loser.

There are lots of people on the boat. Ash says they must all be trainers. Gary says that no trainers have gone to Cinnabar Island since his grandfather, Prof. Oak, trained Pokémon. The whole island is a resort and the people are tourists. There is no gym on Cinnabar. Ash doesn't believe him and Gary says that he'll see.

They reach the island and get off the boat. There are lots of tourists and stores selling tons of Pokémon merchandise. Brock says he can't see a Gym anywhere. There are nothing but tourists! Misty wonders why this island is so popular when there are other nice ones around. Suddenly a weird looking guy in hippy glasses with long blonde hair appears. He says that the reason it's so popular is because of something that's hot, that's cool, or something like that. Ash says that if you lie down in front of an open fridge and wrap yourself in an electric blanket, you'd be hot and cold. Wrong! Misty figures out that there are hot springs, which are hot, and the tourists think they're cool.

The guy says that tourists have taken over and ruined the island. Ash asks if he knows where the Gym is. Misty says she heard a guy named Blaine was the leader. The guy says that his gym is where you put your glasses. Misty again figures out the riddle: Right in front of your eyes! They see an old, collapsed building. The guy said that Blaine was tired of battling trainers who cared more about souvenirs than Pokémon. Ash says that he's a real trainer! The guy said that Ash is looking in the wrong place if he wants to get badges. He gives them his card, which says The Big Riddle Inn. Misty is confused that the guy would run an Inn if he hates tourists, but he's disappeared.

Ash says they should check out the Pokémon Lab, but it turns out to be nothing but souvenir stands. Ash's stomach starts growling. Misty says they should call it a day. They head for the Pokémon Center. At one of the stands are Jessie, James and Meowth, trying to sell some Meowth shaped cookies, but having little luck. James says that there are lots of powerful Pokémon in the lab.

Nurse Joy says that the Pokémon Center is packed. People are even sleeping in the lobby. Brock says that he and the others were probably the only people there who even had Pokémon. They try a bunch of other hotels, but none of them have any rooms. They're all very tired and hungry and Ash says hes hungry enough to eat a Horsea. Ash says he smells something good and sees a bunch of people having a banquet in a nearby hotel. Gary comes out and sees them, saying that it's the Sucker Squad. He asks which hotel they're staying in. Ash says they're camping out. Gary tells them to take a look in the hotel he's at: there's tons of food. And an Electabuzz and Hitmonlee dressed in, kimonos and wigs, holding weird instruments of some sort. Gary says that he'll give them the leftovers if they spin around three times and say Pikachu. Ash says no, but Pikachu starts spinning around. Ash grabs it and says that they're not that desperate. Gary says that even Ashs Pikachu is sorry for him.

Suddenly, Jigglypuff comes into the hotel. Gary says that it must be the entertainment. Ash, Brock, Misty and Pikachu run for their lives. Togepi falls out of Misty's backpack and starts toddling towards the hotel, but Pikachu grabs it and runs off. Jigglypuff starts singing a kind of weird alteration of its normal song, while the Hitmonlee and Electabuzz play their instruments (which are kind of boring). Everyone falls asleep, Jigglypuff gets mad and, as usual, draws all over their faces with its magic marker that never seems to run out of ink.

Ash and the others have run to a hill away from the town. Ash says that was close. Jigglypuff almost got them! Brock asks if Ash still has the card the weird guy gave them. There's another riddle on the card. "Look past the swings and you will see my hands and face." Ash and Brock can't figure it out, but Misty gets it: a clock! There is a clock on top of a big building up on the side of the volcano.

They go there and the guy says that as a reward for coming up with the solution to the riddle, they can stay for free. Ash says that the guy has dumb riddles, but great prizes. The guy decides to take that as a compliment. Ash's stomach growls again. The guy says that they'll probably want dinner too.

Back at the Pokémon Lab, a bunch of Fighting Pokémon are training. Up in a balloon it's Team Rocket as usual. They start saying their motto, but Meowth shuts them up saying that they have to nab the Pokémon in the lab. They throw a bunch of bombs, blowing the roof off the building. Back in the hotel, the guy answers the phone while Ash and the others eat. The guy says "oh no" and hangs up. He tells them that the Pokémon Lab is being attacked by some people in a balloon.

At the lab, Team Rocket has all the Pokémon in a net and are hauling them onto the balloon. The guy, Ash, Misty, Brock and Pikachu arrive as they start to float away. Ash sends Pidgeotto and Pikachu, and tells them to save the Pokémon. Pikachu rides up to the balloon on Pidgeotto's back, shocks the balloon, making them drop the Pokémon. Team Rocket blasts off again! All the Pokémon cheer. The guy thanks Ash and the others. He says that, as a reward, he'll tell them the secret location of Blaines gym. He says it's in a place where firefighters could never win. Another riddle!

Ash, Brock and Misty go to some hot springs. Ash and Brock can't figure it out. Misty is in another section of the spring, blocked off by a wall of sticks. Togepi swims around her while she tries to figure out the riddle. She says that it would be in a place where there is very little water. Togepi looks up at a stone Gyarados where the water is coming from. Misty tells it to be careful, the water is boiling. Togepi jumps up on top of the statue and jumps up and down happily. The statue starts lowering! As it does, a section of a nearby rock face opens, revealing a cave. The wall of sticks also falls. Misty and Ash and Brock stare for a minute. Then Misty screams.

They go in the cave and start walking down a lng flight of steps. Misty comments that it's getting hot. They come to a door, but it's too hot to open. It opens by itself, though, revealing a Pokémon Battle arena suspended above molten lava by four chains. Misty says this must be it. No firefighter could win here. The weird guy is standing on the other side of the gym. He says that they've finally figured out his riddle, but he has another one. What is not a hat, but you wear it on your head, it keeps you from getting wet, and you only wear it if you've lost it? Misty, yet again, figures out that it's a wig. The guy takes off the wig, glasses, and mustache to reveal himself as...

Blaine! He asks who will battle him. It will be a 3 on 3 battle. Ash says he will and that Water Pokémon would be good to use. Blaine sends a Ninetales and Ash sends Squirtle. Blaine says that he expected that. He orders Ninetales to use Fire Spin. Squirtle uses Water Gun and they meet halfway. The fire overtakes the water and Squirtle pulls into its shell as the fire wraps around it. Ash tells it not to give up, but Squirtle has fainted. Blaine says it takes more that choosing the right type to win a Pokémon battle. Ash says that he'll fight Fire with Fire! He sends Charizard!

Blaine brings Ninetales back and sends Rhydon, but Charizard just looks away refusing to fight. Ash begs for it to fight. Blaine tells Rhydon to use Horn Drill. Its horn starts spinning and Charizard flies up onto a rock and goes to sleep. Blaine says that because Charizard left the arena, Rhydon wins. Ash brings Charizard back and sends Pikachu. Blaine says it doesn't stand a chance. Rhydon uses Fury Attack, but Pikachu dodges. It uses Thunderbolt, but it has little effect. Ash tells Pikachu to shock Rhydon's horn. Pikachu does and it works just like a lightening rod, shocking Rhydon. Rhydon faints and Blaine put it into its Pokeball.

He says that his next Pokémon is too hot to handle and turns all its opponents into ash. Suddenly, the lava around the arena shoots into the air and a fiery figure emerges. It's a Magmar and it hovers a few feet above the arena! The Pokédex says that Magmar is the Spitfire Pokémon. Its body is like a furnace and it is known as the living inferno. It was discovered only at this volcano. It stands on the arena, its feet burning the ground. Blaine tells it to use Fire Punch. Pikachu seems too quick for it, but it hits the Electric Mouse on one of its cheeks. Pikachu shocks Magmar, but it has no effect. Brock says it's using an air lance. Magmar is heating the air around it to high temperatures, which blocks the electricity. Magmar keeps punching at Pikachu until it is at the edge of the arena. Blaine tells Magmar to use Fire Blast, the most powerful fire attack. Ash says he won't give up. Magmar spits a huge, oddly shaped burst of flame at Pikachu. Now what? Is Pikachu destined to become the worlds cutest lava lamp?

This episode guide has been written by flik.

Characters appearing in this episode

Ash

Misty

Brock

Blaine

Jessie

James

Meowth

Ash's Pikachu

Pokémon appearing in this episode

• Pikachu belonging to Ash
• Meowth

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