Pokemon Company
Airdate: November 14, 2002
Summary: Ash and Pikachu are on their way to the Hoenn region on a cruise ship, I miss Brock and Misty already. Ash talks to the ship captain and his Machoke, who tells him they will arrive tomorrow night. Ash goes to sleep while Team Rocket plots to steal Pikachu with an extendo-hand. Ash wakes up when he sees Pikachu being grabbed, he runs out and tells the captain about his stolen Pikachu. The captain looks at a chart that somehow pinpoints the location of Pikachu. Ash and the captain confront Team Rocket, the captain uses his Pokemon but Ash doesn’t have any Pokemon to battle with when he tries to call out Bayleef. Weezing Tackles Machoke while Arbok uses Acid, creating a hole in the water storage tank, causing everyone to drift out to sea. The captain calls for a mayday repair, while Ash runs after Team Rocket and Pikachu. Ash holds onto Team Rocket who swings on to land and into some boxes. Ash runs after Team Rocket, but they accidentally get driven on the roof of cars they slam into, Ash has no idea where Pikachu is going. Pikachu is freed from his glass container, now they both are walking the dockyards together. Both Pokemon are surrounded by a Haunter who uses Night Shade on Meowth, but Pikachu gives it a tough electric shock. However, it comes back with Rattata, Oddish, and Pidgey. Officer Jenny and Ash look for Pikachu, as the ship captain tells them the ship leaves at night. The little Pokemon complain that the Haunter are causing problems at night, and Meowth tells them they need to stand up for themselves. Pidgeot spots Pikachu, Meowth and Haunter’s crew as Haunter threatens Pikachu. Haunter sends a Shadow Ball, and then surrounds Pikachu and Meowth. Pikachu uses a Thunderbolt to send them scrambling back, all the Pokemon want Pikachu to be their leader, but he declines. Meowth “claims” Pikachu for Team Rocket, while Team Rocket grabs Pikachu and uses a super-electro magnet which causes Pikachu to hurt. Pidgeot breaks their balloon, Ash retrieves Pikachu even after another attempt with the magnetic machine. The Haunter and other Pokemon see this, one of the Rattata sees this and uses Hyper Fang to free Pikachu, while Haunter blows up Team Rocket and sends them blasting with a Night Shade. Both the Haunter and the little Pokemon become friends, but Pikachu is sick. Pidgeot flies Ash to the ship, but Pikachu is not feeling so hot. Ash arrives in Littleroot Town… here we go! Sharpedo, Wailmer, Wingull, Pelliper… but Pikachu is still feeling very sick, oh no!
Best Trainer/Pokémon: Weezing, his Tackle on Machoke after the Smokescreen was pretty impressive.
Worst Trainer/Pokémon: Team Rocket… not today Team Rocket, almost any other day but today. Ash is trying to start a new journey, you freaks!
One thing I learned: Ash can never have anything easy… which makes sense.
Who is that Pokémon?: Forretress… oh Brock I miss you so!
Best Quote: “I’m not lonely at all, as long as I have my buddy Pikachu” – Ash, this is the perfect quote to encapsulate their dynamic.
Best Scene: Haunter and Rattata becoming friends.
