Pokemon Company
Airdate: October 17, 2002
Summary: We continue our battle with Heracross getting hit hard by a Hydro Pump and fainting. Ash throws Muk out there, a real throwback to the last Pokemon League. Muk uses Sludge Bomb while Blastoise uses Rapid Spin. Muk holds its ground, surrounds Blastoise who uses a Hydro Pump before Ash recalls it. Ash calls Bayleef, probably his #1 in the region, Blastoise uses Hydro Pump, while Bayleef uses Vine Whip to jump into a tough Razor Leaf which is deflected by Blastoise’s Rapid Spin. Blastoise uses Bite on Bayleef’s leaf and is spun around, fainting. Ash is down three Pokemon with one already out. Ash doesn’t feel nervous even though he is way down in the fight. Pikachu wants to go out and battle, but Ash says no because of his preregistration, Pikachu is on strike. Delia says that Gary has always been ahead of Ash and that Ash is struggling to keep up but will in the end. Gary sends Arcanine as Ash sends Snorlax. Arcanine hits Snorlax with a tough Fire Spin, which Snorlax takes and gets off a tough Hyper Beam which one shots Arcanine. What a powerful attack! Gary gets Nidoqueen back out, but after a missed Hyper Beam, Snorlax counters with a tough Ice Punch, both Pokemon have three remaining. Gary hasn’t revealed his last two, sending out Scizor! Scizor hits Snorlax with Quick Attacks and Metal Claw, eliminating our favorite fatty. Scizor’s Quick Attack doesn’t affect Ash’s Muk until it hits Muk with a direct Swift attack. Ash has one more Pokemon, just like his Indigo League match, it is all up to Charizard. Charizard hits Scizor with a close-range Flamethrower… lights out. Gary sends Golem out, a great matchup, hitting Charizard with a tough Magnitude. Charizard uses Seismic Toss but finds their weight too heavy to use the move. Golem uses Rollout, but a Charizard Dragon Rage stops it in its tracks…I guess it has 40 HP? Blastoise is now out, 1 v 1 for the Elite Eight opportunity. Ash is confident he will win. Charizard uses Flamethrower but Blastoise’s Rapid Spin/Hydro Pump is a tough combination as usual. Charizard flies behind Blastoise but is rebuffed with a Skull Bash. Charizard flies up again, Blastoise uses a Hydro Pump but misses, making Charizard dodge tough attacks. Charizard uses Flamethrower to burn the battlefield, making the field a hot magma filled torture chamber for the hermit Pokemon and the assorted fans. Charizard is back in Cinnabar Gym, Blastoiser tries to cool the field down, but this creates a steam cloud which brings both Pokemon together in close combat. Charizard uses Dragon Rage at close ranges, missing but allowing it to grab Blastoise for a direct Seismic Toss, goodbye Blastoise, and a victory for Ash over Gary! Ash is completely surprised that he won at first, Gary walks off the field while Team Rocket gets their profit stolen by Delibird. Gary stares out on the lake, he invites Ash to meet so he could give him the other half of the Pokeball. Gary says he doesn’t feel bad that he lost, he says Ash beat him fair and square. On to the match with Harrison! We have a grass field, here we go! Ash chooses Pikachu, vs. Harrison’s Kecleon.
Best Trainer/Pokémon: Ash, he had an interesting strategy, but in the end he prevailed against his rival.
Worst Trainer/Pokémon: Muk, didn’t really do much at all, could have been a better pick.
One thing I learned: Ash has some real gusto!
Who is that Pokémon?: Bayleef, a top 5 Pokemon line for me personally, I love Bayleef!
Best Quote: “Snorlax is amazing considering all it does it sleep” – Delia, 100% true but I love it.
Best Scene: Ash celebrating his victory versus Gary.
