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This episode is essential viewing because: Tracey catches a Scyther.

Ash, Misty and Tracy stop on the peaceful lookng Murcott Island. On the shore Ash thanks Lapras for the ride and recalls it. Tracy sends out Venonat and Marril. Tracy is really psyched to be on the island because of all the bug Pokemon. He has barely finished his sentence when a Beedrill buzzes past a nervous Misty. Tracy continues that the island is famous for it's bug element Pokemon. Misty wants to stay on the beach. Ash whispers to Tracy about Misty's fear of bugs. "Oh I get it! When it comes to bug Pokemon, Misty's a chicken," smirks Tracy. He wishes he hadn't said it when she stamps on his foot.

As they walk along, Venonat and Marril start calling out at something. Tracy looks through his Binoculars and sees a whole clearing filled with Caterpie. Ash hasn't caught one in a long time. As he moves off Misty grabs onto his backpack and drags him off. Tracy calls to Misty that there is something behind the bushes in front of her. She stammers in fear when a Pincer pops up. She runs off (still holding onto Ash!) at lightening speed. Later, Ash comments to Tracy that Venonat and Marril are great to have around. He says that Venonat's radar eyesight and Marril's super-sensitive hearing make them a really great team. Misty is just glad they're not bug types. Venonat, Marril and Tracy are all a team.

Suddenly they spot something. They enter the clearing to see an injured Scyther, which Ash checks with Dexter about. Tracy approaches it with a potion but it jumps up and flies to a distance. Its stands there out of breath. Ash calls out that they only want to help it. He throws a Pokeball at it but Scyther knocks it away. Ash wants to battle it but Tracy says it's too weak. Then Tracy has an idea. He gets Venonat to use Sleep Powder. When Tracy throws a Pokeball this time, it works. The three friends run off towards the Pokemon Center to get help.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket are passing over the island in the Meowth balloon. Through his binoculars Meowth sees a Beedrill heading straight for the balloon. The Beedrill makes a hole and Team Rocket cry out as the balloon plummets to the ground. They crawl from the wreckage and see different bug Pokemon. "This place sure is buggy," comments James. Then one of a swarm off Scythers advances towards them. We hear Jessie scream.

At the Pokemon Center Nurse Joy is fixing up the Scyther. Ash says it just wouldn't give up without a fight, to no one in particular. The Scyther is staring at Tracy, who looks worried. Nurse Joy and Chansey wheel out the injured creature, who will take a few days to recover. Chansey takes it to recovery. Nurse Joy says it probably got injured by battling a younger Scyther from it's swarm. She tells them unless it wins a new leadership battle it would have to live on it's own.

Ash and co. decide to call Prof. Oak. He tells Tracy he must help Scyther regain confidence in it's strength and in itself. We see Team Rocket running for their lives. They collapse on their knees. Then James and Meowth spot that the back of Jessie's hair has been cut off! When she is told, she checks in a handy mirror. She is mortified. James and Meowth have to hold back from going to battle the Scyther - "you could end up with a crewe cut!!!" cries James. Together, they cook up plan to steal the whole swarm of Scyther.

Back at the Pokemon Center, Tracy is talking to Scyther. He apologises for capturing it, but tells it that he couldn't just leave it there. Ash suggest Scyther could go back and have a rematch with new leader, Scyther brightens up at the mentioned. Tracy says it can go when it is well enough. Meanwhile Team Rocket are watching the Scyther swarm take a bath. Jessie takes out a bazooka and fires some dough, which sticks up the Scythers' wings. Next they fire a net and the swarm cries out.

Scyther hears it from the Poke Center when Nurse Joy is taking off it's bandages. It flies through and window. Ash thinks it gone to challenge the new leader. The gang follow it. Team Rocket have the Scyther hanging in the net, from a tree. Jessie cackles evilly and advances towards them. furious over her hair. Suddenly, something speeds past and cut's the net down. Our heroes arrive and Misty laughs at Jessie's hair. They recite a special version of the motto:

JESSIE: You insult my hair, prepare for trouble!
JAMES: It used to be there but now it's stubble!
JESSIE: To protect my hair from humilitation.
JAMES: To bare her hair with all vaction.
JESSIE: My gorgeous hair was my one true love.
JAMES: They went together like a hand and glove.
JESSIE: Jessie!
JAMES: James!
JESSIE: Now my hair's short, but it won't be for long.
JAMES: And it won't stop our Jessie from doing what's wrong!
MEOWTH: Hairy!

Ash wonders where they make this up from and Misty ask Jessie if a Barber or Butcher cut her hair. Jessie explains that a Scyther did and they are all going to pay for it. Ash sends out Pikachu and James' Weezing uses Smokescreen. Scyther uses Sword Dance to blow away the smoke, however, it is still weak. It's tells Team Rocket it won't let them take it's swarm (according to Meowth). So Scyther came back to save it's swarm.

Jessie orders all of their Pokemon to attack. Scyther won't let Pikachu help it, either. It dodges their Double Team attack then uses it itself when Arbok comes at it. Arbok knocks itself out. Victreebel uses Razor Leaf by Scyther slashes all the leaves in two. Arbok uses Poison Sting but the new leader jumps in the way to save the elder Scyther. Jessie orders all the Pokemon to attack. Scyther uses slash attack. Jessie picks up a bazooka, but Ash quickly orders Pikachu to use Thunderbolt.

Scyther uses Slash again and cuts off the fur under Meowth charm and gives Jessie and James mohawks. They runs off into the forest. Tracy congratulates Scyther. Later, the Scyther are washing the dough off their wings in a pool. Tracy's Scyther and the new leader say goodbye and his old swarm walks off. Ash says the battle must have done more for it than any Pokemon Center could. After he recalls Scyther Tracy attemps Ash's 'I caught a Pokemon' pose. Ash begins to give him tips and Misty sighs as the episode ends.

This episode guide has been written by AR.

Characters appearing in this episode

Ash

Misty

Tracey

Jessie

James

Meowth

Ash's Pikachu

Pokémon appearing in this episode

• Pikachu belonging to Ash
• Meowth

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