Episodes 71-80
All Fired Up!
Ash's finally made it to the Pokémon League! When a guy passes by holding a burning torch, lit with the flames of a legendary Moltres that represents the spirit of the competition, President Goodshow lets him carry it for a while. At Indigo Stadium Team Rocket tries to steal the flames. Ash rushes to save the fire, and when Team R. turns the flames on him they come to life! It's Moltres! Team Rocket is soon out of the picture, and the competition begins. Does Ash have what it takes?
Round One--Begin!
Ash's first fight is in the Water Field against Mandi, a boy who does magic tricks. In these battles a trainer is only allowed three Pokémon. Before the match Ash got his Krabby from Professor Oak, which he uses against Mandi's Exeggutor. Not only does Krabby win, but it evolves into Kinger! And it's only its first battle! Ash decides to keep Kingler in, and it defeats Mandi's Seadra and Golbat too. Looks like Ash is going to the next round!
Fire and Ice
After winning on the Rock Field with Squirtle, Ash and Pikachu go look for a place to eat. Team Rocket, as always, tries to capture our little electric pal; they don't succeed. The quartet returns to the Stadium just in time for Ash to begin on the Ice Field. He starts with Kingler, who defeats Cloyster but is in turn defeated by Arcanine. Ash sends in Pikachu, who seems to be in jam when Arcanine melts all the ice. Too bad someone forgot water conducts electricity! This makes three wins for Mr. Ketchum.
The Fourth Round Rumble
Gary loses! Then it's time for Ash's last match, Grass Field. Jeanette Fisher starts out with Beedrill, which is beaten by Bulbasaur. Next is Scyther, who is also defeated, just barely. Lastly Jeanette calls out . . . Bellsprout? Yup, and this Pokémon isn't going to be an easy win. Ash finds this out when it beats Bulbasaur and Pikachu! But for once Ash has thought ahead. He got Muk before the match started and the poison Pokémon takes the win!
A Friend in Deed
While waiting for the fifth round to begin, Ash makes friends with a boy named Richie. When Team Rocket steals everyone's Pokémon, including Pikachu, the two boys chase the van deep into the forest. They manage to get inside and use their Pokémon (Richie also has a Pikachu, called Sparky) to send Team R. blasting off again, returning just in time to find out who is going against whom in the next round. There are gasps all around. Ash vs. Richie! Can their new friendship last?
Friend and Foe Alike
After getting captured by Team Rocket and barely making it back in time, it's time for two friends to battle. Squirtle goes down to Richie's Butterfree, but Pikachu takes it out. When Charmander takes Pikachu down for the count, Ash tries Charizard. The evolved form easily defeats the little fire Pokémon, but when Richie sends out Sparky Charizard refuses to fight! So Ash is out of the match and out of the Pokémon League. :(
Friends to the End
Ash is deeply depressed about his loss, until Richie loses his next battle too and the boys realize that winning isn't everything. Another Team Rocket attack brings them even closer when they use their combined Pokémon to send the baddies packing. As Ash says goodbye to Richie and remembers all he's gone through in the Pokémon League, he knows that even if he didn't win he learned a lot. And now it's back to Pallet Town.
Pallet Party Panic
After a party in Pallet Town to celebrate Ash's return, Prof. Oak asks his friends to go to the Orange Archipelago to get a mysterious Pokéball. On the way they find a Fearow and a flock of Spearows tormenting wild Pokémon in the forest. Ash sends out Pidgeotto to fight the Fearow and it evolves into Pidgeot! But after chasing the flock away, Ash is afraid it might return and hurt the wild Pokémon, so he leaves Pidgeot to guard the forest.
Holiday Hi-Jynx
In a holiday special, Ash and his friends meet a Jynx who works for Santa but got lost. They build a raft to get it back to the North Pole and meet up with a psychic Lapras, who helps them. But Team Rocket has followed them and steals all the presents. Lapras and the group of Jynxs team up and send them packing. Then Lapras brings Ash and his friends back as Santa sets out in his sleigh. It's merry Christmas to all and to all a good night, even Team Rocket.
Snow Way Out!
In a second winter special, Ash and Pikachu get separated from Brock and Misty during a fierce snowstorm. Ash digs a cave in the snow with the help of his Pokémon. Charmander tries to keep the cave warm, but soon it tires and everyone starts to freeze. Ash tries to force them back into their Pokéballs where it's warmer, but they refuse. Ash is touched. The group spends the night huddled together for warmth. The next day they find Brock and Misty.
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