Pokemon Company
Airdate: May 16, 2002
Summary: Our heroes are on their way to Blackthorn when Ash stops to battle a Smoochum. Smoochum uses Sweet Kiss, but Pikachu counters with an Agility/Quick Attack/Thunderbolt combo that is sure to end Smoochum, before the trainer calls it off. Ash is mad the battle was so short and easy, so the trainer suggests they go to Battle Park to face qualified trainers. Team Rocket is polishing balls for the Battle Park, sweeping the park as well. Ash and crew go to the Battle Park. Even though it is closed, Team Rocket impersonate battlers to take Ash on in a battle. James challenges Ash first, Ash chooses a Cyndaquil against James’ Razor Leaf, Venusaur starts with a powerful Razor Leaf which gives James confidence, Cyndaquil gets Tackled and barely gets up before a tough Vine Whip brings down another tree. Another Vine Whip hits Cyndaquil, before almost being finished off by a Razor Leaf, but a Smokescreen/Swift combo gets our fire rodent back in the game before a tough Flamethrower. Venusaur uses Solar Beam, Cyndaquil Flamethrower, with Solar Beam prevailing, Cyndaquil is unable to battle. Jessie steps up vs. Ash now selects a Charizard against Ash’s Totodile, Jessie asks Charizard to use Poison Sting as if it was Arbok, so Totodile hits it with a tough Water Gun. Jessie then tries to get it to use Dig, which Charizard knows, confusing Totodile. Jessie uses Iron Tail, another tough move to learn for a Charizard, Totodile dodges and uses Headbutt before a Scary Face-off between the two proceeds (reminiscent of the Harden-off between Ash and Samurai in the OG series). After the Scary Face off ends, Charizard uses Fly/Flamethrower to blast Totodile’s Water Gun and char our favorite crocodile, but Totodile’s Water Gun to the ground sends it flying to a spot where it can give Charizard a critical hit, knocking it out. It is one to one now! Jessie sends out a Blastoise vs. Ash’s Pikachu, who uses Quick Attack and dodges a Skull Bash before a Bubble vs. Thunderbolt ends in Blastoise Withdrawing a taking the hit before sending a Hydro Pump that almost knocks Pikachu out before Pikachu sends a Thunderbolt back through the pump to free it. Pikachu then uses Thunder to send bolts and rocks Blastoise’s way, finishing the battle. Jessie can’t handle the defeat so she resorts to her old ways, attacking with Arbok and having James/Meowth steal Pikachu and the Park Balls. Politoed sends them flying where the Park Rangers track them down, sending them flying when the park Pokemon turn on our favorite evil team. On to Blackthorn!
Best Trainer/Pokémon: Cyndaquil, that match vs. a tough Venusaur was great and will prepare it well.
Worst Trainer/Pokémon: Jessie, completely mismanaged a Charizard.
One thing I learned: Ash has a great assortment of Pokemon ready for the Pokemon League.
Who is that Pokémon?: Tauros, an awesome competitive Pokemon in Gens 1 and 2, a grinder champion in the video games with high EXP, and an awesome fissure attack. Solid A-.
Best Quote: “Jessie and the Fire-Types should not mix” – Meowth, true that you cat.
Best Scene: The Scary Face-off throwback.
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