See pictures from this episode - click here!

This episode is essential viewing because: Ash defeats Luana and earns a Jade Star Badge.

Ash and his friends arrive on Kumquat Island where Ash hopes to battle for his fourth, and final, Orange League Badge. Misty and Tracy don't seem very confident in Ash winning and just want to have a good time. Ash wishes they'd have a little confidence in him. While they are walking, people who run shops and hotels are calling out deals and stuff like that. One woman is advertising the a hotel. Misty looks intently at Ash and says if they don't hurry there won't be any rooms left (Nudge, nudge.).

Instead, they head to the beach for something to eat and suddenly hear a large rumbling. It's not Ash's stomach, it's the woman who was advertising the hotel and she's running straight for Ash! She hugs Ash tightly and he manages to explain that he's not her son, which she thinks she is. Apparently, Ash looks just like her boy, Travis, who left to become a trainer with a Pikachu. She says her name is Luana.

Suddenly, screams are heard. A giant mechanical Rhydon comes onto the beach. It is opperated by Team Rocket, who say their motto. They tell our heroes, via loudspeaker, that the machine is friendly to the environment because it is Pokemon powered. Cut to a shot inside the Robo-Rhydon and we see Arbok and Likitung running on treadmills. Jessie hits a button, intending a Hyper Beam to be used. A thing inside prods Weezing and all that comes out of the mouth is smog. James explains he never got around to teaching his Pokemon that move.

The smog still works well and Jessie begins to enjoy herself. The robot moves towards Ash and Arbok sends Poison Sting out of the mouth hatch, but it is blocked by Reflect from Luana's. Ash says she should let him battle Team Rocket. She says, as a member of the Orange crew, she should manage on her own. Ash double takes when he finds out she’s the gym leader! Luana's Alakazam shuts the Rhydon's mouth and it begins to fill with smog inside. Ash sends out Charizard, who now listens to him, and orders it to use Take Down. Jessie accidentaly presses another button and this time Arbok uses Acid. "Arbok just gave our Robo-Rhydon a brand new bellybutton!" cries Meowth. Charizard uses Flamethower, causing the machine to explode and Team Rocket to blast off.

Ash challenges Luana to a match and she accepts, saying she won't go easy on him. In the meantime she gives them a suite for free in her hotel that she runs. Then Ash and co. go to the gym which is behind the hotel, it looks like a stadium. Misty says it’s the perfect deal because Ash can try to get his last badge and Tracey and Misty could have their hotel they wanted to stay in. Well the gym leader suggests a tag match tomorrow. Then they all go into a hot tub and Ash gets overheated.

The next day, they have their match. The gym leader chooses Alakazam and Marowak, and Ash chooses Pikachu Charizard, two of his best Pokemon. Both of them are nearly beaten because they aren't working together, but soon they begin to help each other. The battle draws to an end when Charizard flies into the air, narrowly missing a Bonemarang, with Pikachu on it's back. Pikachu thunderbolt's Marowak, with no effect. Alakazam prepares a Hyper Beam and Charizard pulls up just in time. The return Bonemarang slams into Alakazam and it sends it's Hyper Beam into Marowak, winning Ash his fourth Orange League Badge. Ash hugs Charizard and Pikachu and Luana awards Ash the Jade Star Badge. Misty, Tracy and Luana all congratulate him. They head off again on Lapras. The episode ends with Team Rocket sitting stranded in the middle of the sea, on the wreck of the Rhydon, they can't call that boat for a lift - it might be the bosses'.

This episode guide has been written by AR.

Characters appearing in this episode

Ash

Misty

Tracey

Jessie

James

Meowth

Ash's Pikachu

Pokémon appearing in this episode

• Pikachu belonging to Ash
• Meowth

There are currently 0 comments on this story... you could be first!