This episode is essential viewing because: Ash defeats Falkner and earns a Zephyr Badge.

Ash, Misty and Brock finally reached the Violet City gym. Ash is really excited to go earn a badge! Just then, two people show up and they tell Ash that he needs to have his Pokemon inspected before he goes to compete for a badge. The woman takes Pikachu, calls him a dud, and they "confiscate" him. The pair run off, and take off in their balloon. Yes - it's Team Rocket! Pikachu tries to Thundershock to get free, but it doesn't work, he's in a shock-proof jar.

Ash sends out Heracross. Meowth drops a jar of honey, it breaks open, and Heracross starts feeding on it. Suddenly, a man on a glider swoops in, gets his Hoothoot to get back Pikachu, and goes to land near Ash and co.. Jessie gets Arbok to use Poison Sting, which rips the glider to shreds. The man then uses Pidgeot to fly up to Team Rocket and Wing Attacks them away! The man returns Pikachu to Ash.

Ash tells the guy about the time his Pidgeot saved a bunch of Pidgey from a large Fearow. He then left his Pidgeot to guard them. (That was in Pallet Party Panic. I notice Ash doesn't tell him that recently he was in the area and didn't even bother to say hello to his Pokemon, let alone pick it up like he promised!). Then, the man starts to boast about his Pidgeot, and that he wants to be the greatest flying Pokemon trainer in the world! Ash introduces himself to the man, who reveals he's the Violet City Gym Leader, Falkner!

Falkner brings Ash to a Pokemon Arena where he get ready to win his first Johto League badge! Falkner sends out Hoothoot, and Ash sends out Chikorita. Falkner tells Ash that Chikorita was a bad choice due to weakness. Chikorita does a Vine Whip, misses, Hoothoot dives in and starts pecking, and Chikorita then uses Razor Leaf, misses, Hoothoot dives in, and knocks out Chikorita. Ash then sends out Pikachu. Pikachu takes up a battle pose.

Pikachu glares at Hoothoot, and the second round begins. Hoothoot uses Tackle, and Pikachu uses Agility, and Hoothoot climbs in the air. Pikachu uses Thundershock, zaps Hoothoot, and then Pikachu uses Quick Attack to knock out Hoothoot. Falkner takes back Hoothoot, and sends out Dodrio Falkner tells Ash that Dodrio has been unbeatable. Falkner's Dodrio can fly!! Pikachu and Dodrio square off with Agility. Pikachu then attacks with Thundershock. Dodrio jumps and then uses Fury Swipes, nailing Pikachu, then uses Drill Peck, and goes to attack with Tri Attack, but Pikachu jumps on it's head, gets behind it, then attacks with Thundershock, Dodrio tries to get up, but falls back down, defeated.

Falkner takes him back, and sends out Pidgeot. Pikachu looks tired, but doesn't want to stop. Pikachu attacks with Thunderbolt, but it runs out of power, and Pidgeot takes Pikachu out of the fight with Whirlwind. Ash then sends out Charizard!! Charizard and Pidgeot glare at each other, then take off into the air. Charizard uses Flamethrower. Pidgeot dodges, Charizard Flamethrowers again, Pidgeot uses Agility, then Charizard uses Flamethrower, but it gets blown back at him with Whirlwind. Charizard flies, gets knocked down, Charizard looks tired, and Pidgeot uses Quick Attack. Falkner tells Ash to forfeit.

Pidgeot comes in to attack Charizard with Quick Attack, Charizard flies behind Pidgeot, uses Agility, tries Quick Attack again, and nails Charizard, again and again. Ash then sees a pattern, tells Charizard to fly behind Pidgeot, it uses Agility, Charizard uses Fire Spin, then grabs Pidgeot, and uses Seismic Toss, winning the match. Falkner congratulates Ash, and gives him the Zephyr Badge. Ash does a victory pose, and Falkner then says he's going to train harder to be a better flying Pokemon trainer. The scene switches to Team Rocket being pecked to death by Fearow.

This episode guide has been written by AR.

Characters appearing in this episode

Ash

Misty

Brock

Jessie

James

Meowth

Ash's Pikachu

Pokémon appearing in this episode

• Pikachu belonging to Ash
• Meowth

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