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This episode is essential viewing because: Ritchie knocks Ash out of the Pokémon League.

In the previous episode, Ash has discovered his next opponent will be Richie. He sits in the house in the Pokemon Village, upset. He and Misty look at the trainer database for Richie, and see that he has beaten all his oppoent using only his Pikachu, Charmander and Butterfree, and none of them has even fainted! Misty says Ash might be in some trouble, and he says hes just as good as Richie! Misty says it must be nice to be able to dream while youre awake. =) Brock tells Ash that beating a friend wont be easy. Ash says hell still try to win.

Ash goes to the Pokemon Center to get his Pokemon, and they see Richie, also getting his. They say hi. Ash asks Richie if hes ready for the battle. Richie says they should promise each other that, because theyre friends, they should make it the best battle either of them ever had! Ash agrees, and Richie leaves. Joy gives Ash his Pokemon, and tells him hes lucky to be battling his friend. If he loses, he can still be happy that his friend won!

Team Rocket listens in. James says it must be nice to have friends. Jessie says she never had any when she was little, and that there was something about her that prevented her from getting any. James says it must be her personality! She says, yes, its my person- realizing what shes saying, she hits James over the head. =) They come up with a plan of some sort.

Back at the place Ashco. are staying, the phone rings, and Misty answers it. Its Richie, and he asks to speak to Ash. Misty says something about Ash getting ready for the battle, and Richie says Misty is nothing but a big-mouthed brat. She gets mad, and gives the phone to Ash. It turns out that its really Jessie, using a voice changer. She says in Richies voice to meet him somewhere, and to bring Pikachu. Brock tells Ash not to be late. Ash says there are two things hes never late for, a meal and a Pokemon match.

Ash brings Pikachu to wear Jessie said to go. He sees an odd looking Richie standing behind some bushes. Ash gets suspicious, and Team Rocket throws a net over him and Pikachu! Jessie and James say the motto. James is amazed the plan worked! Jessie says its because Ash is so brainless. Meowth says, that if Ash is so brainless, and he always beats them, how brainless are they?! =) Ash says he has to get to his match, and Jessie says hes out of the League! They put him and Pikachu in the back of a van and drive off. Back at the place where theyre staying, Misty and Brock wonder why Ash isnt back yet. Misty says that maybe hes at the stadium. Brock says the match starts in 30 minutes!

Team Rocket keeps driving, and realize the van is being filled with water! Ashs Squirtle is using Water Gun! (Where does all the water come from?!?!?!?!?) Meowth panics, and grabs James face, causing them to go off the road, and hit a tree. Ash gets out, and realizes he has to get to the stadium for the battle! He runs to the stadium, but Team rocket is chasing after on the wheels from the van! But then they crash again. They jumps out in frotn of Ash, and Meowth says hes not gettign past! Ash sends Bulbasaur, and it uses Vine Whip, and Pikachu shocks Team Rocket. Ash runs past. But then they start chasing him on bikes! James Weezing uses Smog, blinding Ash. Jessie and James tell Ash to give them Pikachu, or hell miss his match! Ash says he promised Richie theyd battle! Jessie and James say that Ash to decide between giving them Pikachu, or missing the match! But then Ash gets on one of their bikes and rides off.

Back at the stadium, the 5th round was going to start, but Ash hasnt shown up. If he doesnt show up, he will have forfeited, and Richie will be the winner! In the bleachers Ashs mom wonders if maybe Ash is in trouble. Prof. Oak says that Ash would be able to get out of it. Misty goes down and asks Richie what he said to him on the phone, and steps on his foot! Richie asks what he said. Misty says he must have told Ash that if he was a real friend, he shouldnt come! Richie asks when he said that, and Misty said when he called. Richie said he never called Ash! Misty realizes hes telling the truth.

Meanwhile, Ash is biking to the stadium. But then a big crane hanging from the Meowth balloon grabs the bike, and Ash! Team Rocket laughs in triumph. But then Ash sends Pidgeotto, who then flies Pikachu up, who shocks Team Rocket, who fall out of the balloon. Ash tells Pidgeotto to pull them to the stadium. At the stadium, the announcer says that since Ash hasnt shown up, Richie is the winner. The referee goes to tell him, but Richie begs him to wait ten more minutes for Ash to show up! He says theyll wait 10 more minutes. Brock says that Richie waiting for Ash to show up is a sign of a good trainer.

Ash is almost to the stadium, and Pidgeotto is almost exhausted. It has been 10 minutes, and the referee is about to pronounce Richie the winner, but then Ash jumps down from the balloon, saying hes sorry hes late. The announcer says that this is one of the most dramatic entrances in Pokemon League history, and the crowd loves it. Ashs mom shouts for him to apologize to all the people for keeping them waiting! =)

So, the battle begins! Richie sends Happy, his Butterfree! Ash sends Squirtle. They attack each other for a while, but then Happy uses Sleep Powder, putting Squirtle to sleep! Butterfree wins! Ash sends Pikachu, who hits Butterfree with Double Edge! Ash says Pikachu is getting too tired! But it manages to finish off Happy with a Thundershock. Theyre both down to two Pokemon. Richie sends his Charmander, Zippo. It breathes fire at Pikachu, who manages to dodge. But it cant keep it up for long. Charmander Tackles Pikachu and it faints! Ash cant send Pidgeotto or Bulbasaur, so his only hope is Charizard!

Misty says oh no! Charmander breathes fire at Charizard, who avoids it. And now it looks mad. It breathes fire at Zippo, who isnt strong enough to face its evolution, so Richie brings it back. Then he sends Sparky! Ash tells Charizard to be careful! Charizard stomps the ground several times, causing Sparky to be bounced around. Then Charizard flaps its wings, sending Sparky flying back. But Sparky gets back up and runs at Charizard. then stops.

Charizard is laying down, asleep! Ash says it cant quit! The crowd start booing. Brock wonders why it wont listen now. Ashs mom also wonders why. then I think either Oak or Misty realized that maybe Charizard considered the Charmander a worthy oppoent, because it was a Fire type, and it doesnt even want to bother with the Pikachu. The referee says that Sparky is the winner, because Charizard wont battle. Ash falls to his knees, and recalls Charizard.

Richie checks to see if Ash is okay. Ash tells him congradulations for winning! He says hes sure Richie will win his next battle, too. Misty is surprised hes taking losing so well. Brock says he happy his friend won. Oak says hes proud of Ash, and Mrs. Ketchum says she couldnt have been happier if he won!

You know, if this was an American cartoon, Ash would have won, and become a Pokemon Master. I love Anime...

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

Moves used in this episode

• Flamethrower by Audino
• Thunderbolt by Audino

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