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This episode is essential viewing because: Ritchie and his Pikachu are introduced.

Ash and co. are walking through the Pokémon League Village, and Misty comments that shes hungry. Brock says they should go get something to eat, and celebrate Ash winning his fourth round. Ash says itll be on him, since everyone competing gets to eat free! They see Mrs. Ketchum, and Prof. Oak. Oak says that Ashs skills have improved. His mom says shes really proud of him, and shell make him his favorite dinner! Ash wonder where shes going to make it, because theres no where to make it!

They go to a big restaurant, and Mrs. Ketchum is cooking in the kitchen! The Chef (who looks like that one from Breeding Center Secret, you know, the one who liked Psyducks?) says that his customers dont come to cook. Ash says he cant wait. Misty says this is either going to be really good or really bad. =) Later, Ash;s mom has made a huge meal, and everyone says its great! Misty says no wonder the chef asked for the recipe. Oak tells Ash that if he wins this next battle, hell be allowed to use 6 Poké Balls in the battles after! He asks who Ash will choose to battle, and he says hell see who he has to battle first. Brock says the opponents will be chosen tomorrow. Oak says that Ash can trade in any of his Pokémon if he wants, and for Ash to do his best.

They all get in an elevator, and before the doors shut, and boy who looks kind of like Ash, but with brown hair, says to keep it open! He gets in, and says thanks. He sees Pikachu, and Ash says its his. The kid says Ash is really lucky to have it. The kid reaches out and starts rubbing one Pikachus cheeks, which Pikachu likes. Everyone is surprised the kid wasnt shocked. The kid says Ash must have done a good job raising it. Then, the lights in the elevator go out, and it stops!

Brock tries the emergency call button, but its broken! Mr.s Ketchum wonder what theyre going to do. Ash sees the kid open up a hatch on the wall, and pull out some wires. He asks to see Ashs Pikachu. Ash asks why, and the kid explains that hell use its Thundershock to jumpstart the elevator! Oak says thats an interesting idea. Richie attaches some wires to Pikachus cheeks, and it uses Thundershock, turning the elevator on. It goes down to the lobby, and everyone gets out.

Everyone thanks the kid, whose named is Richie. Ash says it was nice meeting him, and Richie leaves. Prof. Oak says he acted very mature for his age. They go outside, and then, Jessies and James voices comes over some loud speakers, saying that all Pokémon trainers have to report to the Central Pavilion for a Poké Ball inspection. Misty wonders why. We then see Team Rocket, in a van. Meowth says this is yet another scam to steal Pokémon.

Soon, everyone has gathered in the central pavilion. Ash wonders why they had to come so quick, then he spots Richie! Ash says hes glad to see him. Meanwhile, Jessie is having everyone put their Poké Balls in a bag James is carrying. Richie says that no one told him anything about an inspection. Jessie adds that you have to give them the Poké Balls, or youll be disqualified from the tournaments! So Ash and Richie both put their Poké Balls in. Jessie tries picking up Pikachu, and gets shocked. Then Richie says that they look a lot like the guys from Team Rocket. Jessie and James say they cant hold it in, they have to say the motto! So, they do.

Ash and Richie demand they give the Pokémon back! James has his Weezing use Smog, and Team Rocket escapes through the smoke in the van. Ash chases after, yelling that there has been a robbery and to call the police! Ash continues chasing after the van, and is soon joined by Richie. Ash says they wont be able to catch them! Richie says unless they go directly down the side of the mountain, intersecting them! Ash decided that would be a good idea, and runs down the steep slope, Richie following. Richie says to slow down! He knocks Ash down, and they both slide, and stop right in front of a cliff! Ash gets mad at richie, but Richie says if he hadnt stopped him, Ash would have gone over the cliff! They start climbing down the cliff face.

In the van. James says that they finally suceeded! They start singing a Pokémon parody of 100 Bottles of Beer in the Wall, I cant remember how it went. Just then, Ash and Richie jump in front of the van! James swervesto avoid hitting them, and they drive off the road down the side of the mountain! They swerve into a river, and James is knocked out when he hits his head on the steering wheel. Jessie panics and manages to drive them to safety.

Later that night, Ash and Richie are walking along the river. Richie says they should stop and get some sleep. Its too dark to keep looking, and they might get lost. He says he has an extra sleeping bag for Ash. They start a campfire. Ash says hes sorry for getting mad at Richie, he saved him from running off that cliff! Richie says Ashs idea for jumping out in front of the van wasnt too smart. Ash syas Richie jumped out with him! He says that training Pokémon can make you act kind of crazy. They both a couple of Pokémaniacs! Richie gives Ash some food, but Ash looks upset. He wonder if theyll ever see their Pokémon again. Richie says theyll start looking tomorrow morning.

Back with Team Rocket, theyve parked the van in the forest, and are now eating. James says they got lots of Pokémon! Jessie says that they finally got Ashs Pikachu. Its their biggest haul ever! Meowth says they should throw a party.

Back with Ash and Richie, theyre both in their sleeping bags. Richie is pointing at the stars, and laughs. Ash asks what hes doing. Richie tells Ash to connect the stars and see what Pokémon appear! He sees and Pnix, then a Pikachu. Ash says Richie must think about Pokémon a lot. Richie says he does all the time, and even dreams about them. Ash says that hes going to be the best Pokémon Master on the planet. Rochie says thats not going to happen, because hes going to be the best in the galaxy! Ash counters that hell be the best in the universe!

The next morning, they start searching again. Richie spots tire tracks leading into the forest, and they follow them. Team Rocket is still asleep when they find them. They both sneak into the van. Ash finds Pikachu in a bag and frees it. They also find all the Poké Balls. But when they are about to leave, Team Rocket stops them! Ash syas theyre taking the Poké Balls, and Meowth says theyre taking a ride! They lock them in the van, and it starts moving!

Ash wants to use his Pokémon to stop the van, but cant tell which are his! Richie finds his, because he puts stars on his to know they belong to him. Ash tries throwing a Poké Ball, but its a Drowzee. He tries some more, but ends up with a Slowbro, a Magikarp (?) and a, um, I forget. Pikachu sniffs out one of Ashs Poké Balls, which turns out to be Bulbasaur. He has Bulbasaur Tackle one of the walls, then use Razor eaf, but it has no effect.

Richie send his Charmander, Zippo! =) He has it Slash the wall, destroying it! Team Rocket says that this truck isa rental! Jessie tells James to get them, and he says that hes driving! So she sends Arbok instead. Pikachu is about to use Thunderbolt, but James use Turn Attack and Pikachu is knocked over. Arbok rams into Pikachu! But then Richie sends his Pikachu, Sparky! Meowth wonders if hes seeing double. Both Pikachu use Agility, confusing Arbok. There seem to be lots of Pikachu and James wonder if there are 2 or 20?

Both Pikachu use Thunderbolt together, and the front of the van explodes, and Team Rocket blasts off again! But now the van is careening towards a cliff! Ash sends his Pidgeotto, and Richie sends his Butterfree, Happy! The van goes off the cliff, and the two flying Pokémon try to keep theit trainers from falling. But theyre falling too fast! Richie says to have them both Whirlwind towards the ground, and they do, slowing their fall. They land safely. Ash says that thats the second time Richie has saved him. Without Richie idea for Pokémon Parachutes theyd be history. Then they see everyone driving towards them in jeeps! Richie says that they got the Poké Balls back!

They return to the Pokémon League main building, where theyll find out who their opponents are. A lady says its Ashs turn, and he goes fishing in a tiny pool, pulling out a Magikarp. It has A-3 written on it. The lady says that Ashs opponent will be Richie! Everyone gasps, and Ash and Richie look at each other in shock.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket is caught in the branches of a tree. James wonder how they can be so low... Meowth finishes, when theyre so high?

This episode guide has been written by flik.

Characters appearing in this episode

Ash

Misty

Brock

Jessie

James

Meowth

Ash's Pikachu

Pokémon appearing in this episode

• Pikachu belonging to Ash
• Meowth
• Oshawott belonging to Ash

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