Airdate: December 24th, 1998
Summary: Ash fights on the ground field, left with one Pokémon, he chooses Squirtle to battle Nidorino to Pikachu’s dismay. Nidorino charges ahead while Squirtle uses their Withdraw attack, baiting Nidorino into a direct hit Water Gun and Skull Bash combo. Ash is kind of good trainer all of a sudden. Gary is not impressed with Ash’s performance. Ash leaves his Pokémon to eat while he takes a walk to find something to eat. Psyduck’s movie poster is still up, this duck is a superstar. Brock and Misty confront Ash for leaving his Pokémon at the hotel before sending them to the Pokémon Center. Misty wonders which Pokémon Ash should use in the third round, and they go an all-you-can-eat buffet. The gang chows down for free, Ash’s vanity makes him think he is special. Ash leaves, and the gang continues their search for a Pokémon Center when they stumble upon James dressed as Nurse Joy’s assistant. Brock sniffs out the fake Nurse Joy, his Nurse Joy instincts are tingling. The gang says trouble and prepare too many times for Team Rocket to resist revealing themselves. This Pokémon Center is a front for their Meowth balloon, luckily Onix scoops them up, and spits them out. Ash is now in the third round, he uses Kingler against his opponents Cloyster, but Kingler is running out of energy using Crabhammer. Luckily, Cloyster’s shell breaks and Ash is one Pokémon away from Victory. Arcanine is the last Pokémon out for his opponent, and it takes care of Kingler with a Dragon Rage attack. Pikachu is next, and it starts out by using Agility. Arcanine counters with Fire Blast, melting all of the ice, leaving Pikachu alone on an ice island. Arcanine uses Fire Blast, and Misty and Brock advise Ash to use Thunderbolt. This is some serious weak shit, and Ash needs to be disqualified or criticized for having counsel during his battle. I’m unimpressed Ashy Boy.
Best Trainer/Pokémon: Squirtle, that Skull Bash Water Gun combo with the Withdraw set up was pretty sick.
Worst Trainer/Pokémon: Ash, he gives his Pikachu up to Team Rocket and has Brock and Misty advising him during battle. He won… but it’s a bad look.
One thing I learned: Pikachu and Ash are a great team, even if Ash is a young boy with much to learn.
Pikachu-o-meter: 5/5, I love a good Pokémon saving Pikachu scene, this is one of the best.
Best Quote: “Thanks a lot, I owe it to fans like you” -Ash
Best Scene: Arcanine melting that ice.
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