Aurora Veil was chosen as the quintessential Status Ice type move! Congrats to u/schlarmander for having the most upvoted comment!
Day 16: what's the move that comes to mind when it comes to Special Dragon type moves? Not the best, but the most important / memorable one to the best of your knowledge!
Most upvoted comment wins!
SHOCKING NEWS!!!! Psychic was chosen as the quintessential Special Psychic type move! Can you believe it??? Congrats to u/PrisonTomato for having the most upvoted comment!
Day 15: what's the move that comes to mind when it comes to Status Ice type moves? Not the best, but the most important / memorable one to the best of your knowledge!
Most upvoted comment wins!
This is the twenty-first part of my rewrite series on the Black and White series of the Pokémon anime. If you missed out on the last entry, go to this post!
This 4-episode arc puts an end to Season 15, brings back a beloved old character, and presents a wholly new mythical conflict!
Before we start... As I pointed out in previous entries, I understand the strategy was to feature old Pokémon to promote BW2… but what do you mean no one knows any non-Unova Pokémon, but then there’s a WHOLE EASTERN PART crammed with this Pokémon? Come on.
Anyway, the group finally arrives at Undella Town. Cilan is excited because of its fame as a seaside resort town, but they find it to be a very calm and luxurious place overall. Pikachu seems to hear a faint song stemming from the sea.
Juniper leads them toward a villa near the shore, explaining that the researcher she is meeting has extensive experience with ancient legends. The villa is very luxurious. As the main gate is opened, they hear the distant sound of a piano (playing, for those who know it, Prelude to the Champion). They follow the sound and there meet Cynthia, who welcomes Juniper and then is shocked to meet again with Ash.
Iris and Cilan are shocked to learn that Ash casually knows the Champion of Sinnoh. Iris in particular is starstruck.
After a few pleasant exchanges, Cynthia asks the butler to serve some tea so they can talk. After an off-screen conversation, Cynthia wonders if Pikachu’s incidents may have something to do with their own research topic: the Abyssal Ruins.
Cilan asks what these are, and Juniper explains that, for centuries, legends have spoken of a sunken ruin beneath the waters. The history of Unova tells about a brave king who fought hatred and pursued peace, but his kingdom and rule ultimately met their end when his palace disappeared into the waters. Some fishermen have even claimed relics have washed ashore during unusual tides, but no proper expedition has found the actual chambers of the mysterious king referenced in all the known inscriptions.
Cynthia adds that most of what they know comes from partial inscriptions and recovered objects. Nothing directly confirms a connection to Zekrom or Reshiram, but the language overlaps enough with other Unova myths that she and Juniper believe the ruins are worth investigating, especially in relation with the Relic Castle.
Cynthia tells them they can stay at the villa for as long as they want, and that their presence will be welcomed in the research if they are willing to stick around. The group spends the evening on the beach, where Ash’s Pokemon have their own fun: Oshawott swims around, Krokorok is the coolest ‘mon on the beach, Zweilous' heads argue whether they want to swim or stay on the beach, Stunfisk feels like at home, Dragonite keeps beefing with everyone… Pikachu seems to hear a song echo in the waves, but is soon distracted by Axew and Scraggy as they invite him to play.
It’s Dragonite and Iris that interest Cynthia the most as she observes the group have fun.
Meanwhile, from afar, Team Rocket observes the whole scenario. They report the twerps are again around, and that the Sinnoh Champion is with them. Giovanni answers via radio, saying no Champion will be able to stop him once his plan comes to fruition.
Iris approaches Cynthia to ask if maybe her famous Garchomp could help Axew train sometime, as her goal is to become a Dragon Master. Cynthia says they can try tomorrow.
Back at the villa that night, Juniper and Cynthia examine a map of the Undella coastline. Juniper explains that the tides will open a brief window in the coming days and, if they want to reach the place where they estimate the ruins are safely, they will need to move then.
The next morning at Cynthia’s villa, Iris asks Cynthia if they can train now. Cynthia laughs at her excitement and accepts. Dragonite comes out, wanting to challenge Garchomp himself, but Iris says this is time for Axew to get his shot.
Like in canon, Garchomp easily overwhelms Axew, but Axew manages to make him stumble back by learning Giga Impact. Cynthia says that’s enough and calls off the fight.
Dragonite jumps in to fight Garchomp next. Iris orders him to stop, but Dragonite ignores her and attacks anyway. Garchomp shuts him down after a succession of swift attacks. Iris is embarrassed and tries to call Dragonite back, but Dragonite avoids the Pokeball’s ray. Finally he gets knocked out. Cynthia commends Dragonite’s strength, but warns Iris she must make sure Dragonite respects and follows her voice so that they both are on the same wavelength for fights like this.
Then, a whimsical lady arrives at the villa. Cynthia greets her warmly as Cilan is shocked: it’s Caitlin, from Unova’s Elite Four!
Cynthia reveals she and Caitlin are old friends and that she also vacations here, so she figured she could help out with the Abyssal Ruins investigation. Caitlin acts detached and whimsical, as if she barely cares. She however gets distracted looking at Ash’s Pikachu. She mentions his electricity feels echoed, as if something is answering it from far away. Cynthia explains Caitlin has some psychic sensitivity to this sort of phenomena.
As Juniper and Cynthia further explain the tide window, a group of polite researchers also arrive. Cynthia asks Juniper if they are from her team, but Juniper doesn’t recognize them. They say they are historical researchers, and overheard a few conversations on the beach. As they explain themselves, we see, from very far ahead and with huge binoculars, the blonde scientist from BW090 uttering the same words the fake researchers are saying.
Juniper finally lets them in as they discuss the details. Anyway, they leave a few hours later. Cynthia asks Juniper who they think they might actually be, and Caitlin commends them for giving them only fake information. Cynthia looks very wary.
Caitlin says she’ll try to notify the Pokémon League of these suspicious individuals, but makes no promises she’ll be back in time for their departure. Before parting, however, she shows extreme interest in Ash’s Pikachu again and offers a fight. Ash of course accepts.
Pikachu’s electricity is stronger than ever, it would seem, as it deals some good damage to her Reuniclus. Juniper’s machinery finds odd readings too, which means Pikachu’s electricity is reacting to something in the coast. The opening is starting to show itself, even earlier than they expected. Reuniclus KO’s Pikachu and Caitlin leaves.
Juniper, Cynthia, Ash, Iris and Cilan head out by boat during the rare tide window. Juniper keeps recording on her equipment as Cynthia looks ahead. The recordings reach a maximum, and right there and then Cynthia brings out her Milotic and tells her to Dive to find an air-pocket chamber. Ash tells Oshawott to jump in and help out. Juniper prepares the diving equipment.
Meanwhile, a helicopter hovers over their position. In it is Giovanni, who by radio tells the Rockets (a ton of grunts, just like in Relic Castle) that the Abyssal Ruins will soon rise for him to conquer, and for them to stand at attention: as soon as the team’s boat is free of strong trainers, they must seize it.
The equipment is ready: Juniper will stay on the surface as the rest dives in. Milotic rises from the water with Oshawott, and the two confirm they’ve found what they were looking for.
The group submerges and soon finds an air-pocket chamber. The place is ancient, quiet and full of carved walls. Cynthia notes the ruins seem deliberately built to survive underwater pressure.
Juniper communicates by radio and starts translating some fragments, but they don’t make much sense. Something about a king, a crown, a song… Cilan notices the carvings show a strange dancing Pokémon. Cynthia says some myths she’s studied in the past refer to a Pokémon whose song could affect hearts.
Meanwhile, Ash and Pikachu find a sealed door, and Pikachu’s electricity begins to spark slightly. Cynthia tries to communicate with Juniper by radio, but receives no response. They assume the signal cannot reach down there.
Up above, Team Rocket is attacking the boat. Juniper brings out Accelgor to try and protect the equipment, but fails and is restrained by Jessie and James. They let Giovanni know the boat has been seized and Giovanni tells them to wait. Juniper assumes they were the same guys as those who inquired on BW094, but they don’t know anything about it. Giovanni then realises Team Plasma is around as well and advises maximum caution, telling some operatives to go all through Undella trying to find them too.
Down in the ruins, Ash, Iris and Cilan try all sorts of shenanigans to open the door, failing miserably. Cynthia tries to take note of every word they’ve been able to identify and finally manages to translate a sentence: “the king who demands the song hears only silence”. After understanding they must be quiet, the door finally opens.
The group then reaches a deeper chamber. There they see a big mural depicting the ancient king wearing the Abyssal Crown, while a small singer-like Pokémon turns away from him. They all look at the mural in awe. They are then surprised by a voice from behind, who explains the story: “Long ago, the King ruled from a palace where humans and Pokémon lived in harmony. As long as he wore the Abyssal Crown, Meloetta would sing her song, and the people would live in peace. The city lived long and prospered, but ultimately failed. Why, is the question his descendants have forever asked themselves. Why, is the question we seek to answer”.
It’s Zinzolin. Ash immediately gets confrontational and asks what is it he wants, but Cynthia stops him. She asks Zinzolin how do they know whether they have a proper way of deciphering the engravings, and Zinzolin says of course they do, thanks to Lord Ghetsis’ heritage.
The trio of robbers from Icirrus then show up. Zinzolin introduces them as the Shadow Triad, thanks the group for their effort, and advises they concede defeat before it gets ugly. Ash asks where is N, and Zinzolin laughs it off, saying the new Team Plasma has no need for such feebleness. The Shadow Triad bring out their Pokémon and Cynthia gets ready to use Garchomp, but Zinzolin activates a device that blocks the use of Poké Balls. As a result, the two only Pokemon they can count on are Pikachu and Axew. Before the fight even starts, sound starts echoing throughout the chamber. Zinzolin recognises it instantly: it’s the Relic Song.
Ash then has a blurry vision: a king wearing his crown walking amongst its people, all Pokemon gathered around, a creature singing to them… they all look in peace and happiness. But the Pokémon… something’s wrong with it…
Iris and Cilan wake Ash up from his brief trance. Zinzolin becomes visibly awed, and immediately communicates via radio that the inscriptions were true. Zinzolin and a few grunts move forward as the Triad contains the group.
Meanwhile, Juniper cannot do anything as Giovanni’s helicopter hovers right above the waters. He commands a side team to activate the drill already. Juniper warns them they should not by any means break into the ruins, for they don’t know what sort of power hides in there. Giovanni smirks and says that they actually do. The power of a mythical Pokemon that sank an entire kingdom.
“The power of a song that can control all souls”, says the blond Plasma scientist from earlier. “How fascinating”.
The episode opens with the Abyssal Ruins trembling, the waves becoming larger. Juniper’s boat barely stays afloat. Jessie, James and Meowth, in charge of watching over her as the other Rockets do their job, worry they may sink as well.
Pikachu and Axew battle against the Triad’s Pokemon. Pikachu seems weak again, but Axew is definitely doing great seen as he's battling 3 Pokémon at once. They are interrupted by a loud explosion: Team Rocket’s drill has penetrated into the chambers. Giovanni enters, surrounded by his grunts, and meets Zinzolin. Zinzolin is furious that Giovanni would dare damage the ruins. He then decides to fight them as he calls for help and unblocks Poké Balls so that he can defend himself.
Now free to use her Pokemon, Cynthia brings out Garchomp, but the Shadow Triad seems to vanish.
The group follows after, and the song from earlier starts becoming louder and more intense. Pikachu keeps struggling, and Cynthia argues it’s likely these ruins are sealed with the same energy that protected Relic Castle, and are thus built by the same civilization: those that revered the original, legendary dragon.
When they arrive, the battle is fairly equal but Giovanni and Zinzolin are both chanting the same words. Cynthia reviews her notes and sees these are an old hymn from that ancient civilization. The ruins tremble even more and the battle stops as the song now echoes through everybody’s heads. Pikachu’s electricity is off the charts.
Juniper’s equipment is overcharged as a huge wave throws the boat over. Jessie, James and Meowth fall to the water as Juniper is rescued by Psychic from Caitlin’s Reuniclus. Juniper is shocked to see her back. She’s also accompanied by a boat patrol led by proficient swimmer Marlon (who hates boats and would rather swim, that’s his thing), and Juniper joins them. As the patrol tries to approach, Marlon orders them to stop, sensing something weird in the water currents beneath him. The water starts to tremble.
Inside, they are all trying to stand up despite the unbearable, screeching song.
Finally, the song stops as they themselves feel the castle lifting and the whole place starts flooding. They all call upon their Pokemon to try and cover the openings, but it’s impossible. The sea’s strength starts swallowing away the Rocket grunts, as Giovanni, Zinzolin and the Shadow Triad manage to take cover for the time being. Finally, the Abyssal Ruins rise over the waters and the final door opens. Juniper, from the outside, notes it’s just like Relic Castle all over again. Ash tries to care for Pikachu.
Zinzolin lies almost defeated as Giovanni rushes inside. The group follows. There lies the Abyssal Crown, suspended above a circular pool. Around it are murals of the King Below the Tide, Pokemon gathered peacefully, and a small singer Pokémon turning away from the king. Giovanni puts the crown on and screams for Meloetta to show herself. The song begins to echo, but everyone can hear it’s off.
Juniper, Caitlin and Marlon manage to reach the Ruins’ entrance thanks to Reuniclus, fight off a few remaining grunts and reach the group, who watch from a distance how the Crown’s chamber has separated from the rest and is now hovering at the top of the pyramid. The whole structure begins to rotate.
Finally, the pyramid becomes a tower, and Meloetta shows herself, singing her song. Giovanni smiles and orders Meloetta to sing and control the souls of all those who oppose him. The group tries to reach the chamber, but it seems blocked by a force field. Meloetta’s Hyper Voice blows them away, as the entire chamber is destroyed. Now floating in the middle of the air, the Rockets watch in awe how his leader seems overtaken by an odd force.
Zinzolin begs Colress via radio (for the first time naming him) to assist him. Colress laughs, saying Zinzolin's done for and that there's no point in wasting his time on him. Zinzolin tries to argue Lord Ghetsis would not be happy to know one of his trusted advisors was left behind, but Colress argues he doesn't work for anyone, much less a blindsided megalomaniac like Ghetsis. He immediately orders for the Shadow Triad's return, and the three leave Zinzolin there, half-dead and about to sink.
Meanwhile, Pikachu’s electricity suffers another oversurge and shocks Ash, who has another vision. He sees the King and Meloetta arguing, as the King tries to force Meloetta to sing. The Relic Crown had possessed the king and Meloetta fought against it, imprisoning the king’s soul inside the crown and submerging the entire palace to prevent his greed from using Meloetta as a weapon.
Giovanni, now overtaken by the King’s soul, commands Meloetta to sing. Meloetta invokes all sorts of Water Pokemon to defend him from the attacks of Garchomp, Reuniclus, Axew, Dragonite, etc., but Pikachu’s electricity surge lets him unleash a devastating Electro Ball that frees Meloetta. The King (in Giovanni’s flesh) starts falling to the water, hanging tight to the Crown, but Jessie’s Woobat knocks the crown off of him and they rescue him. The Crown falls deep within, the Rockets escape, and the Pyramid starts to submerge again as Meloetta sings once more.
They all escape and watch from afar how the Abyssal Ruins disappear. Zinzolin manages to hang tight to a wooden piece and floats away, while a Hydreigon watches from above, flying away as he sees it all.
From Undella Bay, they all conclude some powers are better off left unexplored. Marlon tells everyone that the Humilau Gym will take care of restorations and collaborates with Officer Jenny to seal the beach off for a few days.
Meanwhile, Pikachu seems healthy again. Cynthia theorizes those Plasma criminals are looking for a specific power, thus their interest first in Relic Castle and now here. Cynthia and Juniper observe the few readings they managed to preserve. Pikachu’s electricity had spiked at the exact moment the Abyssal seal began to open.
Relic Castle, Dragonspiral Tower, the Abyssal Ruins… they were all shaped by people who lived in the shadow of Unova’s dragon legends. If the same energy still sleeps in those places, then perhaps Pikachu is not reacting to the ruins themselves. He however now seems to feel healthier than ever, which makes the gang happy to see.
Caitlin takes her leave, and Juniper leaves for her lab as well to analyze the readings they obtained and try and trace any existing patterns for potential future conflicts to come. As the group and Cynthia enter her place, Pikachu stays slightly behind and looks back to the water. Pikachu seems to hear a faint song and, flying through the sky, sees a black figure, surrounded in blue sparkles, pass by at mach speed.
Ash's team: Pikachu, Oshawott, Leavanny, Darmanitan, Archeops, Scraggy, Krokorok
Iris' team: Axew, Excadrill, Emolga, Zweilous, Dragonite
Cilan's team: Pansage, Crustle, Stunfisk
Badges obtained: 7
Season progress: 48/48
Deleted episodes: 20
p.s. Will once more be taking a short break from posting, and will be back with my take on Season 16 soon. 'Til then, stay safe, sending tons of love to anyone who may have kept up with these rewrites all these weeks! In the meantime, will take any and all feedback you may have on style and story progression! Thanks and have a good one!
This is the twentieth part of my rewrite series on the Black and White series of the Pokémon anime. If you missed out on the last entry, go to this post!
This short 3-episode arc covers the last few days of the group in Southwestern Unova.
The group leaves Floccesy and continues toward Aspertia. They pass through a ranching area on the city’s outskirts, where a local rancher named Mara is trying to gather a flock of recently imported Johtonian Mareeps. The Mareep are supposed to be moved to a warmer pasture before nightfall, but they have started wandering off in strange directions.
All Pokémon try to help arrange them. Iris tries to use Dragonite to scout them from above, but Dragonite instead sees the Mareep and scares half the flock just by looming over them. Iris begs him to stop, but Dragonite ignores her.
Mara explains the Mareep have been acting oddly for a few days. They usually follow their Ampharos leader, but now they seem to be distracted by any tiny pulse of light and walk away in groups.
Team Rocket is also around, interested in capturing some of those Mareep.
While they investigate the possible source of such lights, they meet two route surveyors in dark winter clothes. They claim they are checking electrical disturbances in the area and, after seeing Pikachu, start inquiring a lot about him. Cilan is immediately suspicious, but before they can act on it the Mareep suddenly begin moving toward an old quarry, as if following an invisible signal. Ampharos tries to call them back, but many ignore it. Ash’s Archeops finally spots something reflective near the quarry: small black devices hidden among the rocks, flashing in a pattern that mimics Ampharos’s signal. The Mareep are being lured.
It’s actually the surveyors’ work. They claim they are harmless monitoring tools, but then the group recognizes their logo… is that Team Plasma? They realise they’ve been discovered and then adjust the settings so the devices intensify, and the Mareep begin moving toward a dangerous slope in the quarry. The Plasma grunts retreat, leaving the group to handle the panicking flock. They cannot stop them, no matter how hard they try. Krokorok’s holes are skipped over, Leavanny’s String Shot is rendered useless, and Oshawott and Zweilous, watching from the sidelines, falls asleep from counting so many sheep. The Mareep herd even runs over Team Rocket, who are incapable of stopping them.
They realise they need a big Pokemon that can stand in the Mareep’s way and withstand their attacks, and so Iris begs Dragonite to help. Dragonite at first disobeys, but then Iris tries to make him understand he must protect those weaker than him. Dragonite hesitates but ultimately listens, planting himself between the Mareep and the slope. That gives Mara and Ampharos enough time to call the Mareep back with its real signal.
Iris thanks Dragonite as Mara says the grunts are nowhere to be found. The group, understanding it’s a lost cause, leave and continue toward Aspertia.
In the episode’s final scene, the two grunts meet a third figure, a blond white-coat wearing individual. The signal experiment worked, but that pesky "Hero" intervened. The individual seems content with the results as we see him smile.
The group arrives in Aspertia City, where Ash is excited to challenge the newly opened Gym. Cilan notes the Gym is connected to Aspertia’s Pokémon School. At the entrance, they reunite with Bianca, who explains the new Gym Leader, Cheren, is that friend she came to meet.
They ask how it is that she’s only just arriving, and Bianca explains that she is excited to meet him again, sure, but she's actually very nervous about it!, as their friendship goes way back. In fact, they had dreamt of starting their journey together, and it was her father's refusal to let her begin her journey on her own that made them drift apart.
Bianca points out Cheren's a formidable trainer who came far into his year’s Unova League. He was always the responsible one, always prepared, always understood battling properly. Ash gets excited to meet him.
However, upon entering the school, they find the whole place in chaos, the kids rampaging everywhere. They ask around for Cheren, and a kid says class started already but he’s late again, so he must be in his office. When they enter, they find him looking awful. He politely says hi to them all and hugs Bianca tightly. As Cilan points out it’s time for him to teach his class, Cheren shockingly realises just how long he spent in there and rushes to the classroom. Bianca is very concerned.
They watch the class: the kids ask questions about Pokémon battles and whatnot, and Cheren seems very knowledgeable but keeps giving vague uncertain answers. Ash decides to help him out, jumps right in and answers all the questions, fully motivated. The kids seem very happy. Cheren looks at him begrudgingly and retreats.
The kids explain that Cheren’s first official challenger was a snarky boy with a Serperior. In flashback, we see Trip crushing Cheren's Stoutland in a formal Gym battle. After winning, Trip told him that he could not teach or test anyone properly because he himself was not strong enough to stop a single one of his Pokémon. Since then, Cheren has still been teaching but has lost confidence.
Cilan immediately understands. As a former Gym Leader himself, he says leaders are not there to be unbeatable walls, but rather to test Trainers and help reveal what they need next. Bianca is visibly hurt seeing Cheren like that. She goes to try cheer him up, and figures he should conduct a practical outdoor class with the students and the school’s Pokémon.
The students and an accompanying Pokémon (Patrat, Deerling…) must work together to solve a small puzzle. Cheren is helped out by the rest to supervise. However, Cheren is still half-distracted and a crazed Lillipup runs off after getting startled. The students panic and Cheren freezes for a second. He truly isn’t cut for this, he second-guesses himself.
But then Ash finally wakes Cheren up from his state and demands he acts as the man Bianca knows he is. Cheren finally acts as a teacher, teaching them about the habits of Lillipup so that the kids know how to lure him or make him calm down.
After a small investigation scene where Cilan goes all dramatic, Cheren and Bianca (who reminisces of her last attempt at helping out a Lillipup in BW081) collaborate to rescue Lillipup, who was in danger.
After the class is dismissed, the group approaches Cheren. Bianca in particular has something to say. They have an understanding moment. Bianca lets him know the Cheren she was huge friends with, the Cheren she admired and still looks up to, was not amazing because he always won, but because he helped her understand things that she was too flustered to see.
Bianca then says she wants to compete in the Pokémon League like he did, and to do that she needs badges. Badges like Cheren’s. Ash is about to step in, saying that he is the one that wanted that fight, but Iris and Cilan stop him.
Cheren agrees to fight Bianca. It’s not just any Gym battle, but the battle they once promised each other they would have when they first planned on starting their journeys, before life got in their way. Tomorrow he will reopen the Gym properly, and Bianca will be his first challenger.
After a short introductory scene, the group gets ready for Bianca’s fight. All the kids in the school are watching as the battle commences.
Bianca opens with Escavalier, to which Cheren responds with Castform. Only Ash recognizes it at first. Cheren explains he traveled for a while before accepting the position as Gym Leader. Ash and Cilan let Iris know about Castform's weathr-setting abilities, and the idea of a snowy Castform makes Iris slightly uncomfortable still.
Escavalier starts dealing good damage, but Cheren then sets up Sunny Day, and Weather Ball deals immense damage to Escavalier. It is clear during the fight that Bianca's understanding of fights has become better ever since we last saw her in the Clubsplosion. After a struggle, Escavalier finds an opening to take the win.
Cheren’s second Pokemon is Sawsbuck, which finishes Escavalier despite the type disadvantage using Solar Beam (thanks to Castform’s sun, which Cilan points out is a remarkably spicy combination!).
Bianca brings out Cinccino next, and after a prolonged struggle the two Pokemon tie.
Bianca brings out Emboar, and tells Cheren she’s so glad Tepig chose her so that she could begin her journey and meet him here. Cheren says up next should be his Stoutland, but tells the kids this time around he will sit the battle out. Then, Cheren brings out his last Pokemon: Samurott, his starter.
The fight is tense and the two battle it out for a while. Emboar shows he learnt Thunder Punch, but Samurott’s type advantage evens out the field in that regard. After a close fight where it's clear it can be anyone's game, Emboar takes the win.
Cheren and Bianca hug as Cheren thanks her for reminding him what a good fight is about.
As they exit the premises, they meet with Professor Juniper, who heard about Cheren’s gym and wanted to stop by. Juniper congratulates them for such an awesome fight and commends their growth ever since she first met them.
Ash asks Cheren for his gym fight next, but Cheren tells him his Pokémon need rest, and that this was a reopening match. The school and Gym still need him, and he cannot rush into another official challenge just because he feels better. There’s many other trainers who missed their chance because of his hiatus and he wants to make it up to them.
Professor Juniper lets them know there’s a few other gyms in North and East Unova they have not visited yet. She points out she’s about to head to Undella Town by boat, about to meet with a very important researcher for an investigation she is carrying out, and invites Ash, Iris, Cilan and Bianca over, saying it’s likely they’ll enjoy the opportunity. Everyone agrees other than Bianca, who despite Juniper's insistence says she’d rather spend a while longer on her own.
The group says bye to Bianca and Cheren and leave for the port.
Ash's team: Pikachu, Oshawott, Leavanny, Darmanitan, Archeops, Scraggy, Krokorok
Iris' team: Axew, Excadrill, Emolga, Zweilous, Dragonite
Cilan's team: Pansage, Crustle, Stunfisk
Badges obtained: 7
Season progress: 44/48
Deleted episodes: 18
Rain Dance was chosen as the quintessential Status Water type move! Congrats to u/tiggersinpariss for having the most upvoted comment!
Day 12: what's the move that comes to mind when it comes to Special Grass type moves? Not the best, but the most important / memorable one to the best of your knowledge!
Most upvoted comment wins!
This is the eighteenth part of my rewrite series on the Black and White series of the Pokémon anime. If you missed out on the last entry, go to this post!
This 4-episode arc will cover the group's arrival at Virbank City, new encounters with old rivals, and many emotional moments!
The group soon arrive at the port town and buy their tickets for the ship towards Virbank.
At the docks they encounter Luke, who is accompanied by none other than Gym Leader Brycen! When Ash furiously asks what he is doing there instead of back at Dragonspiral Tower, it is revealed it is actually Zorua in disguise, and that Luke had met Brycen a few weeks back, but couldn’t convince him to star in his new planned project. He’s precisely headed for Virbank to participate in a festival, and he’s planning on shooting for a bit while on the ship, thus all the equipment Golett is carrying.
Luke says he’ll meet them later and the group enter the ship as well. It’s a very fancy ship all things considered, so they have a bit of fun in the room. Then, Ash overhears a familiar voice: it’s Bianca. He braces for impact but, much to his surprise and perhaps for the first time ever, Bianca isn’t hyperactive. She’s actually talking to her father in the room right next to the group’s, so they go say hi.
Bianca and her father greet them, and Bianca excuses herself. Her father explains Bianca wanted to go visit an old friend of hers who just got a new job. Her father figured she’d accompany her to wish luck to her friend too.
Bianca is clearly trying very hard to be responsible. She has organized her tickets, packed supplies, and even made a checklist! She also has Cinccino, the evolved form of her Minccino, always by her side cleaning up anything she forgets.
Ash asks why the sudden change in attitude, and her father tells him it’s not up to him to make any guesses.
Then, the group meets Captain Marlow, an old sailor who runs a small sea-rescue program alongside his elderly Stoutland. The ship is currently carrying several young Lillipup, who are being trained for rescue work. Captain Marlow explains some of these then go to become the trusted Herdiers Officer Jenny uses, while some (like his Stoutland) are used by sailors on rescue missions to catch on trails and whatnot.
Ash shows Marlow his Herdier, which Marlow is shocked to check the liveliness of. He even says he’s the happiest Herdier he’s seen in a long time.
Luke is meanwhile filming the Lillipup squad being trained by Marlow and Stoutland (with Iris' Zweilous also wanting to be filmed like crazy, God does he love attention). Marlow asks Ash and Herdier for some help with the Lillipups' training, and so they all collaborate getting the Lillipup to behave and better catch on trails. Bianca then says she wants to volunteer too, saying she’s great at organizing stuff. She overdoes it, in a way: she organizes the Lillipup like schoolchildren, assigns them numbers, gives them little name tags, and Cinccino cleans so much that not even Herdier or Stoutland can detect the scent trails of what they’re following.
Cilan stops her, saying helping means understanding what kind of help is needed. Bianca feels defeated, she doesn’t know how to prove her love for her Pokémon is real, she’s a mess and keeps putting them in danger. But Ash points out her Pokemon very much love her back, as seen by Cinccino and Emboar’s devotion to helping her back too.
Then, the ship is hit by a fog bank, and the Lillipup get startled, some of them running away. Marlow and Stoutland try to follow them, and so do Ash and Herdier. They get all but one, who Bianca called Jimmy. Bianca tags along, uses Cinccino to clean the unneeded footprints and calls on Emboar to move the heaviest cargo out of the way.
Herdier reaches the trapped Lillipup and calms it down. Luke films the rescue, and everyone is content.
With everyone calm again, Captain Marlow asks to see a fight between Bianca and Ash’s Herdier. Bianca shows her newest Pokemon, Musharna (who she explains she caught after going back to Striaton for Minccino, and also says helps her and the team sleep better at night), while Ash does indeed use Herdier. It’s a quick yet close fight, with Herdier picking up the win.
Bianca is sad she lost again. Bianca’s father, however, congratulates her for her effort. He says that, when she called him after the Clubsplosion because she was scared for Emboar and failing to understand what she was doing so wrong with her life, he didn’t fully understand what was going on. He now sees it clear as day: finally, Bianca was taking her Pokémon seriously.
Meanwhile, the young Lillipups surround Herdier and celebrate his victory. Captain Marlow asks Ash for a favor: he wants Herdier to stay with his sea-rescue program for a while. Stoutland is too old to take care of so many pups at once and they’ve got a few trips across the region pending to do. The Lillipups need a big brother to take care of them.
Ash is of course hesitant, as Herdier is his friend. But then he remembers N’s words, how Herdier is a protector more so than a fighter. And Herdier does seem happy. He asks Herdier and, for a moment, feels as if he can understand what he’s saying.
Herdier and Ash nod in agreement. Bianca’s father then points out letting someone go where they need to go is always difficult. Bianca understands he is not only talking about Herdier.
Ash gives Herdier’s Poké Ball to Marlow, saying they will for sure meet again soon, and says goodbye to him as the boat arrives at Virbank, and Luke films Herdier’s farewell, incapable of holding back his tears.
Quick note: canon BW082 was the first episode to feature a non-Unovan Pokémon other than Pikachu, Meowth and Persian. Their intent was to promote BW2, which means they had to prominently feature non-Unovan Pokemon, but the way they did it is beyond poor in my honest opinion. For now, just bear in mind this episode features non-Unovan Pokémon because they were fair game as per the release dates, and that these are all featured in BW2’s Pokédex.
The group finally arrives at Virbank City. Ash is very much ready for his Gym Battle, but Cilan says the map does not include a mention of any Gyms. Ash is shocked and wonders if Nora lied to them, but they are interrupted by a punk who tells them she did not. She then brings out her Amoonguss, and says the challenger must first prove he’s worthy of their leader’s time.
Ash is confused, but Oshawott jumps out of his Poké Ball and gladly accepts the challenge. After a short fight, Oshawott picks the win, and the punk scoffs, handing them an address and telling them to go there at nighttime.
The group rests at the Pokémon Center and wonder what’s the deal with this city’s Gym. Nurse Joy overhears them and advises them against going there. She has received many urgent visits from people with their Poisoned Pokémon, and word in the city is they like to pick on battlers they know won’t be able to handle their attacks.
Although Iris and Cilan advise caution, Ash is even more pumped about the idea. When nighttime comes, they head to the agreed-upon place, Virbank Complex. There, the group is suddenly ambushed by a group of shadows. One by one, punks and rockers start showing themselves. One of them, Riff, welcomes Ash in particular, saying his trial is about to start, and advises him to run now that he can. Ash and Pikachu are ready to go, though.
The speaker tells them he must first surpass a series of rounds and says the first challenge is a triple battle. He calls for Angus, Betty and Getty (from the Clubsplosion arc), who at first seem ready but then are shocked to see Ash. They tell the speaker that Ash is actually a competent fighter and they shouldn’t accept, but the speaker seems cocky enough.
Ash calls on Pikachu, Leavanny and Krokorok; while his rivals use their three elemental monkeys. Ash tells Leavanny to cover Krokorok from Simipour’s water attacks, and also Krokorok to cover for Leavanny’s weakness to Fire-type attacks from Simisear. However, the three monkeys shock Ash unleashing, all at once, an array of Gunk Shot. Pikachu avoids by jumping, Krokorok by digging, but Leavanny is hit full front, being poisoned on the spot.
Krokorok’s Dig connects on Simisear and Pikachu launches a Thunderbolt on the trio, dealing heavy damage. As Krokorok is about to reposition after Dig, Simisage unleashes Toxic on him. Simipour tries to do the same on Pikachu, but Pikachu barely manages to avoid it. Cilan points out the elemental monkeys do not naturally learn this move unless purposefully taught to them by a tutor.
Ash manages to defeat them with a combination of Stone Edge, Energy Ball and Electro Ball, but Leavanny and Krokorok are heavily damaged.
Riff tells the second group to come out: a trio of rockers, who waste no time to show their Pokemon: a Scrafty, a Throh and a Liepard. Ash says he must first heal his Pokemon, but Riff says the conditions of the trial are not those. Ash recalls Leavanny and Krokorok and brings out Archeops and Oshawott. Ash warns his Pokemon about the Fighting and Dark type moves they are likely to employ… but then the three attack with Poison Jab. Archeops flies away, Oshawott counters with Razor Shell, and Pikachu barely avoids the incessant attacks of Liepard. Cilan again points out these are likely moves they were taught on purpose. He then notices: their intent is not defeating these Pokemon, but actually poisoning as many as they can!
Scrafty jumps and lands a Poison Jab on Archeops, who is poisoned as a result, Pikachu is badly injured by Liepard, and Oshawott eventually falls to Throh’s sheer strength and continued attacks. Ash recalls Oshawott. Pikachu and Archeops, together, finish the second round. Archeops is now at Defeatist range, and Pikachu is also very exhausted after two consecutive rounds.
Riff congratulates him for overcoming the second round. Cilan asks how many of these rounds are left, and Riff laughs, saying “as many as it takes us to defeat him, of course”, as even more punks show up. Ash snaps, saying it’s not fair, and Cilan says this is no Gym and that any gym leader should feel ashamed. Riff snaps at Cilan’s criticism of their Gym leader, and says she (Virbank’s Gym Leader) is the pride of Virbank, and they cannot have her lose any battles since she represents an entire lifestyle for them to pursue. She is right back from a World Tour and if she were to lose now, her iconicity would be hurt. That’s why they are not letting anyone challenge her.
Ash then says if they really respected her, they would let her decide who she battles. Riff gets even angrier and says he’s on to the final round of the trial, challenging Ash himself. He shows a Seviper and a Drapion, which Ash is shocked to see. Iris asks what those creatures are, and Cilan explains they are from Hoenn and Sinnoh, respectively, and that he had never seen any in person. Riff explains he’s been all around the globe and thus only has the strongest of Poison types.
Ash notices his poisoned Pokémon getting weaker by the minute, recalls Archeops and asks Cilan and Iris to get Pikachu and the rest back to the Pokémon center. But the punks won’t let them leave.
Ash brings out his last 2 Pokémon, Scraggy and Darmanitan. It’s a close fight, with Darmanitan at first going on the offense against Drapion and Scraggy running and jumping away from Seviper's slithering. Eventually, Darmanitan transforms into Zen-Mode, forcing Ash to switch roles. Darmanitan focuses on KOing Seviper with Psychic, but Drapion soon sends him flying away — he’s not knocked out, but he’s not capable of moving yet in this new form. Drapion then approaches Scraggy and uses Poison Fang, poisoning him. Riff laughs as Scraggy struggles to stand, but then Scraggy rips off his pants, he starts to shine ever so slightly, and seems freed of his poison! Cilan wonders if that was Shed Skin, Scraggy’s ability. Scraggy, with renewed confidence, finishes Drapion.
Riff is mad and brings out even more Poké Balls, saying the fight is not even close to being over. But he is interrupted by loud guitar feedback, cutting through the complex. The punks surrounding them are in shock: it’s Roxie, their Gym Leader.
Roxie demands an explanation from Riff, saying he did not expect such infamous behavior from the president of his fan club. She just returned from tour, heard the wildest of rumors, but never imagined they could be true.
Roxie explains that the outcome of the battle is the least important thing, as long as the stage belongs to the Pokémon giving everything they have. Riff tries to argue, but Roxie’s guitar shuts him up. Roxie is accompanied by a Sawsbuck that uses Aromatherapy, healing Pikachu and the rest from their Poison.
Roxie then approaches Ash and says that, from what she saw, he has guts. But she also tells him she does not want their first real battle to happen after this dirty maneuver, and so she tells him to come to her hall the next evening. If he wants the Badge, he can earn it on a real stage, with everyone watching.
Roxie takes Riff with him, scolding him; and the likes of Angus, Betty and Getty quietly apologize, saying they got caught up in the atmosphere.
The group leaves, with Ash excited about his approaching Gym battle.
A ton of people criticize this double episode (for good reason) because of how negatively it depicts Ash’s power level. I agree.
But let’s start with what bothers me the most: all of a sudden, God knows why, CILAN AGREES WITH SKYLA’S AIR BATTLES!!! 3:10 in canon BW083. Go take a look, please, just do. Fuck him, wtf.
Anyway, no need for much buildup. The group goes to the address Roxie gave them, it’s an underground music club, a lot of fans are watching (including the punks we met in BW082), and Roxie warns Ash it’s going to get loud. It will be a 4-on-4 fight.
The fight begins as Roxie starts with Koffing and Ash with Darmanitan. Koffing’s strategy involves the combined use of Smokescreen and Poison Gas to turn the stage into a haze. Darmanitan wants to charge straight through, but the smoke and poison clouds make his preferred aggressive style clumsy. However, he’s able to still himself and briefly tap into the same mental calm that triggers Zen Mode without fully transforming. He senses Koffing’s position, levels the playing field, and lands a decisive hit. Ash recalls him immediately, worried Zen Mode may activate if he keeps pushing.
Roxie brings out Scolipede as Krokorok takes the field next. The fight is close: Scolipede is a fast and aggressive ‘mon who even sets up Toxic Spikes for later entries, and Krokorok gets badly poisoned as the result of a Poison Jab, so Ash ends up recalling Krokorok.
Up next is Scraggy, whom Ash knows will get rid of the Toxic Spikes poison with Shed Skin. Scraggy takes some damage but manages to take the win over Scolipede with an agile combo of moves.
Two Pokemon down, Roxie still seems pretty confident as she brings out her third Pokemon, Toxicroak. Toxicroak overpowers Scraggy easily.
Darmanitan is back out for another go. He gets poisoned from the Toxic Spikes, but is still raring to go. The two beasts come head to head and deal good damage, but Darmanitan turns into his Zen-Mode again. Ash notices this gives him an automatic advantage thanks to his Psychic type, but his lack of mobility makes it hard for Darmanitan to withstand the amount of hits he needs to, unable to concentrate to launch a good psychic burst. A Poison Jab sends him flying across the field, but Darmanitan stops himself from crashing just in time with his Psychic powers and hits back at Toxicroak, knocking him out. Darmanitan then stumbles to his side, knocked out as well.
Down 2 to 1, Roxie shows his ace: Garbodor. Ash relies on Pikachu, who also gets poisoned from the Toxic Spikes. Pikachu does well but doesn’t seem to be hitting as strong as usual. Roxie explains Garbodor has absorbed so much trash during their time together, it’s likely he’s swallowed some insulating scraps too. After a close fight, Pikachu falls into Garbodor’s trap, strangled in his arms. Pikachu is knocked out.
Ash’s last hope is in Krokorok. Krokorok manages some decent hits, but Garbodor’s body is too mushy for attacks like Crunch to ever work, and his Stone Edge keeps getting stuck in between so much trash. He can’t even properly use Dig, as Garbodor seals the tunnels with Gunk Shot. In one of those attacks, Garbodor’s sludge covers Krokorok’s sunglasses. He cannot wipe the trash off. Iris wonders if it’s over, now that Krokorok cannot see.
But Krokorok is over that already. He manages to approach Garbodor, and his limited vision lets him use Crunch on his extensive arms, swinging off them and stealing trash from Garbodor’s body. In a final clash, Krokorok uses what he stole from Garbodor’s body to fight off his Gunk Shot, then manages to land a decisive Dig and Stone Edge combo that ends Garbodor.
The crowd erupts. It’s the greatest fight they’ve seen. Roxie gives Ash the badge and says it’s loss like this that makes being a Gym Leader worth it. Scraggy is about to celebrate, but realises he is standing there in half-destroyed pants. Leavanny comes out and sews new ones for him, while Axew laughs at him… until Scraggy headbutts him.
This episode is not bad, but it 1. is redundant (we already had BW040), 2. includes a sideplot I’m not planning on keeping (Meloetta), and 3. is a bland presentation of Pokéstar Studios in my opinion, so here goes my version of it.
So Cilan becomes excited upon hearing the new Pokéstar Studios exhibition festival (this time around, a Cannes Festival sort of parody) will be open for the public. When rushing to buy tickets, they realise they are extremely expensive, and so they will miss out on it. They then meet Luke again, who says they’re with him and invites them in. Cilan asks if this is the festival he was headed to, and Luke says it is.
Luke explains he’s presenting a documentary about the lives of the people in Unova, inspired by people and their different dreams. He is, however, missing an ending. Iris jokes at how maybe Team Rocket will show up again and provide inspiration just like they did with Shauntal a few weeks back.
The group explores the whole place while Luke keeps thinking about what ending to submit. They meet again with Roxie, who is presenting a “rocking documentary” about their last World Tour. She then leaves to prepare.
Then they also meet Burgundy, who says she heard that film festivals are a cool opportunity for sponsors to know about your work, and she’ll need one for when she becomes an A-Class Connoisseuse, so that she can qualify for the Salon! To show off her talents, she has made a short feature film about herself as a rising Connoisseuse.
Ricard also shows up alongside Lucian. Ricard smugly says festivals like this are where true professionals are recognized. Lucian has submitted a polished 'short' about the grace of proper evaluation — which is actually a 6-hour long film in black and white to "better understand the silent feelings of Pokemon". Ash is horrified by the idea.
Team Rocket is also at the festival in disguise. They have submitted their own short film, hoping to win a prize and prove their artistic genius. They try to snatch Luke’s Zorua, but she plays them around.
Anyway, Luke leaves the team to prepare for the screenings. The group goes to the theatre to watch. They come in right during Roxie’s documentary screening… and it’s so loud, Axew and Pikachu are sent away flying as soon as they open the doors.
A few other random documentaries are shown, including Lucian’s impressively boring feature and Team Rocket’s preposterous propaganda-action-comedy about Team Rocket ruling the world. Burgundy’s film is also shown. It’s stiff and the judges are confused by it…, but then the film glitches and outtakes start to be shown. How Burgundy is having fun with her Pokemon while struggling to make them pose, how she truly cares about other people’s opinions… There's even a take where she is watching Cilan from afar. When she looks up to the projectionist, wholly ashamed, she sees it was Zorua who switched the films.
Burgundy storms off, but then the audience starts applauding her film. That shocks Ricard and Lucian, of course, but also Burgundy, who returns blushing.
It’s finally turn for Luke’s. It features moments from his travels, including some we have seen thus far: Club Battle, Driftveil Harbor, Bianca’s growth, Ash’s battling spirit… Roxie reacts when she sees Captain Marlow, shocked to see her father (whom she barely sees because of their very conflicting schedules) in film.
The ending Luke went for is actually being shot right now by Zorua. It’s everyone seating, watching, having different reactions. People’s dreams, all so different, all so similar. It receives crazy acclaim.
The festival gives Luke’s documentary the audience award, one of the highest distinctions, as Ricard leaves empty-handed, telling Lucian that’s proof of the lack of touch amongst society. Team Rocket receive the Comedy award, but are shocked to learn no money is given out, and so leave infuriated.
As they all say their goodbyes, Burgundy hesitantly asks Cilan what made her outtakes so much better. Cilan laughs and tells Burgundy she already knows what it is she’s still missing to become a great A-class Connoisseuse.
Roxie thanks Luke for filming her father and tells Ash that Virbank’s stage is always open for him if he wants to come back. As Ash says he’s one badge shy of getting the 8 needed for the Pokemon League, Roxie tells him a new Gym has recently opened in Aspertia City, west of Virbank. The group heads there.
Ash's team: Pikachu, Oshawott, Leavanny, Darmanitan, Archeops, Scraggy, Krokorok
Iris' team: Axew, Excadrill, Emolga, Zweilous
Cilan's team: Pansage, Crustle, Stunfisk
Badges obtained: 7
Season progress: 36/48
Deleted episodes: 15
Shadow Ball was chosen as the quintessential Special Ghost type move!, who could have guessed? Congrats to u/nayumyst for having the most upvoted comment!
Day 9: what's the move that comes to mind when it comes to Physical Steel type moves? Not the best, but the most important / memorable one to the best of your knowledge!
Most upvoted comment wins!
This is the sixteenth part of my rewrite series on the Black and White series of the Pokémon anime. If you missed out on the last entry, go to this post!
This 5-episode arc includes 2 wholly new episodes and a confrontation involving Legendary Pokémon!
Nothing to do with canon BW030 but it is an Elgyem episode so that's similar enough to me.
They are camping as per usual. Darumaka notices a trail of small blinking lights in the grass and he follows them away from camp, curious. There, he finds a strange little Pokémon hiding near a tiny damaged object, a shuttle-shaped signal pod. It’s an Elgyem, the sight of whom utterly terrifies Darumaka at first.
Elgyem tries to communicate through flashing lights and simple psychic images, but Darumaka misunderstands everything.
Ash and the others realise Darumaka is missing and then spot the lights. They find Darumaka with the Elgyem and the small pod. Cilan guesses the pod is some kind of communication device, while Elgyem shows them an image of it crashing earlier that day.
Elgyem needs to relaunch the pod before dawn, when its companions will be passing overhead and able to see the signal. Pikachu’s electricity overcharges the shuttle, which makes Elgyem extremely nervous.
Elgyem then points to Darumaka. The shuttle just needs a steady heat source to ignite its engine. It takes them a while to help Darumaka to make it, since he suffers from performance issues when under such pressure. It just doesn’t work. Ash then offers to help Elgyem towards the nearest Pokemon center, where they’ll be able to help him out, but Elgyem does not want to move his shuttle.
Darumaka is ashamed of himself for not being able to control his flame. During the night, Elgyem points Darumaka towards the sky and shows him an image that looks as if its companions are waiting for Elgyem in the night sky.
The next morning, the whole team helps out in the little ways they can, and eventually Darumaka manages a brief steady flame.
The shuttle begins to rise, but then sputters. Darumaka is about to panic, but then Elgyem holds his hand up and using its psychic power holds the shuttle in place for Darumaka to take some time and calm off. The shuttle finally launches just high enough to send a bright signal into the sky. Several answering lights appear far above.
Elgyem happily thanks Darumaka with a small psychic image of him as a brave hero.
Back in camp, Ash tells Darumaka how proud he is of him and his bravery. Then it starts raining, and Darumaka flees in terror.
The group goes into a Pokémon Center to heal up after an intense training season.
While inside, Ash says he’s going to go call Professor Oak to ask how they’re doing, but suddenly Pikachu starts feeling very sickly. Ash tells Nurse Joy to take him in too, but before Nurse Joy can examine him properly, a power outage hits the entire Pokémon Center. Officer Jenny and a few other trainers rush in, saying a wild thunderstorm has started, and that the wind is blowing at unbearable speeds.
They spend all night there, and as the thunderstorm starts to subside, Pikachu improves. During the night, they meet an old historian, Lewis, who tells them the last storm of the kind recorded was in the last Thundurus v. Tornadus' confrontation, which Landorus had to come stop.
Lewis mentions Milos Island, where old shrines connected to the Forces of Nature still exist. He believes the storm may have started there. Nurse Joy warns Ash that Pikachu's unstable electricity may be reacting to Thundurus’ storm energy.
The group travels with Lewis and Officer Jenny toward Milos Island in none other than Skyla's aircraft. Meanwhile, Team Rocket is revealed to be on the island with Pierce. They placed devices near the shrines of Tornadus and Thundurus, sending distorted signals that agitate them and draw them toward each other. They had even used the stones from Chargestone Cave to infuriate Thundurus.
After the Meteonite was drained at Relic Castle, Giovanni ordered research into other legendary energy sources… like that of the forces of nature. Jessie, James and Meowth’s role is to maintain the shrine devices.
Anyway, Ash’s group reaches Milos Island. Skyla stays behind, incapable of landing due to the winds. They see the damage: crops flattened, trees bent by wind, Grass-type Pokémon in pain…
Lewis says the island’s Revival Herbs are also withering, which is a terrible omen because those herbs were used in the old legend to help Landorus recover after stopping Tornadus and Thundurus.
They finally encounter one of Team Rocket’s devices near a shrine. Before they can inspect it, Tornadus appears in the sky, furious. They try to fight it (like in-canon), but it’s just too strong. Before they are too damaged, however, Thundurus shows up to fight it. The two begin clashing, worsening the storm. Pikachu nearly collapses.
As the Legendary Pokémon take flight, Emolga and Archen try to follow them, but the wind only worsens, impeding their flight and sending them to a different part of the island. As the battle proceeds, Lewis concludes it’s necessary to summon Landorus.
As the Tornadus v. Thundurus battle proceeds, Archen and Emolga awake in a small lake that happens to be surprisingly green. They even find alive revival herbs, a sign that this part of the island is safe.
Meanwhile, Ash’s group keeps failing to contain the legendary Pokémon and approach the devices. Landorus’ shrine should be in the middle of the 2 places, so Cilan and Iris go one way and Ash and Lewis go another. Upon reaching there, they each encounter Jessie and James, who are suffering the unspeakable because of the winds. The Rockets try to fight them off, failing.
However, Meowth tells them there’s no way to stop it anymore. Tornadus winds become even fiercer, Thundurus’ storm even harsher. Pierce, satisfied, calls Giovanni to notify of their success.
Defeated by the realization they cannot stop the machines, Lewis heads for Landorus’s altar on his own. Ash is about to follow, but then he and Pikachu are struck by lightning and fall from a height. Archen and Emolga see it from afar. Both try to go save them, winds again too strong for them. But Archen’s determination is superior and so she evolves into Archeops!, managing to overcome the winds and save Ash and Pikachu just in time. She then rushes back to help out Emolga, her flight still imperfect but sufficient to save her friend.
Finally at Landorus’ altar, Lewis has it all set up. Iris and Cilan arrive to help set it up, and Ash is the last one to get there. They summon Landorus, who tries to argue with Tornadus and Thundurus. After a wild fight, the 3 of them are tired… and then Pierce shows up with its helicopter to trap them in cages, somewhat like in canon.
The team tries to stop them, but Jessie, James and Meowth are back to bother them. Pierce then starts to leave, and the Rockets realise he’s going to leave them stranded here. Tornadus, Thundurus and Landorus keep trying to escape.
Pierce is about to flee when Skyla reappears and her Swanna Air Slashes the vehicle, troubling his flight. Ash’s Archeops and Iris’ Emolga then attack too, also helped by Jessie’s Woobat and James’ Yamask, who feel treasoned.
Pierce warns Jessie and James that once Giovanni hears of this, them three will no longer have a place in Team Rocket. It’s then that the forces of nature’s power starts to be a tad too much for the Rockets machinery. It gets to a point where Pikachu starts rising from the sheer amount of electricity from the storm, launching an ultra powerful Thunderbolt that powers up the Legendary Pokémon’s powers, and it all combined makes the helicopter explode, effectively finishing Pierce.
But even after they’re freed and it seems over, Tornadus and Thundurus keep attacking Landorus, who is hurt. PIkachu is at first able to help, his power multiplied by a million, but faints from exhaustion before he can do much.
The team then collects a Revival Herb to help Landorus out just in time for him to fight Tornadus and Thundurus back again. Landorus finally finishes the two.
And like in canon, the three finally collaborate to aid out the land.
To end things off, Lewis reveals he's an old acquaintance of Cedric Juniper and tells them it’d be good for them to check out Dragonspiral Tower, near Icirrus City, to investigate Pikachu’s issues and their potential correlation with the legendary Pokémon Zekrom.
Skyla finally brings the gang back home.
We start from Leavanny’s point of view as she tries to relax under a tree. Herdier’s tongue suddenly gets in the shot. Then Oshawott sprays Water Gun nearby. Then Krokorok leans in because his sunglasses need cleaning. Then Scraggy comes over with ripped pants.
Cilan jokingly says Leavanny has basically become the team’s default problem-solver. Every tiny inconvenience becomes an “ask Leavanny” situation. Ash apologizes and shocks everyone by letting them know Leavanny will be taking a day off (after a snarky comment Iris made, without expecting Ash would take it to heart). Leavanny gladly accepts, going into a nearby grove to spend the day by herself.
Back at camp, the Pokémon try to function without her. Oshawott tries to fix Scraggy’s pants and instead ties Scraggy’s legs together. Krokorok tries to polish his sunglasses, but his poor eyesight makes him scratch them even worse.
Meanwhile, Leavanny is trying to make something for herself, a cloak of sorts. A trainer named Lina and her Whimsicott approach her. Whimsicott wants to decorate her fluff cover for a small local Breeze Dance. Leavanny politely refuses to help them, but Lina keeps asking. Lina finally desists and tells Whimsicott they’ll have to find someone else to make her pretty. Whimsicott still wants to make something herself, but Lina says they shouldn’t waste time on it, since Whimsicott clearly doesn't know how to! That infuriates Leavanny.
Meanwhile, Ash (once he’s managed to settle it all) wonders whether he should check on Leavanny. Cilan tells him he should respect her boundaries. They are then approached by Ricard Nouveau, Lucian and a very flamboyant looking Whimsicott. Ricard tells them Lucian is already a B-class Connoisseur, and will earn some more points in the upcoming Breeze Dance. Their Whimsicott looks uncomfortable. Very.
Back in the grove, Leavanny and Whimsicott are sitting together, with Whimsicott making her own apparel. She manages to sew something ridiculously small, a ribbon-like object, but it’s good enough for her.
Lina and Whimsicott invite Leavanny over to the Breeze Dance, and Leavanny accepts. There, she meets again with Ash and the rest, but does not join them yet.
During the Breeze Dance, the gorgeous Whimsicotts fly through the air with their beautiful apparels. Before she starts flying too, Leavanny gives Lina’s Whimsicott the cape she made, which fits her perfectly.
Of course, the one people can see in the air is Lucian’s, which makes Ricard cocky enough to guarantee Lucian he’ll take home some nasty recognition. But then a sudden strong gust of wind blows through, which forces the Whimsicotts into the earlier grove and through the trees to avoid clashing. Lucian’s gets tangled almost immediately because of its fancy design, while Lina’s flies beautifully. As they land, most designs have been lost along the way. The one that has survived is Lina’s Whimsicott’s ribbon, which she is very proud of. Lina is named winner of the contest.
Ricard protests furiously, saying Lucian’s was miles better from the design perspective. Cilan points out clothing should bring out the Pokémon, not cover them up.
Lina and Whimsicott thank Leavanny and Ash welcomes her back. Scraggy then rushes, his pants still broken. Leavanny chuckles and ignores him, and Scraggy tries to follow, but trips over his own torn pants.
The group reaches a snowy field. At first they are having fun playing there, but then a serious snowstorm starts raging. The group seeks refuge in a nearby cabin. The lights do not work, so Ash asks Darumaka (the poor guy, as terrified of the dark surroundings as he is) to light up the fireplace inside.
Once the room lights up, they discover an extravagant woman sitting in the corner, writing intensely. They have to ask since she won’t introduce herself, and she then gets startled and brings out her Cofagrigus, which traps Ash inside of it. Cilan explains who they are and why they sought refuge, and she apologizes.
She introduces herself as Shauntal, and apologizes for not having noticed them when they first came in. Cilan says that her name rings a bell, and Shauntal explains she’s a novelist. She came to the cabin for inspiration for her latest novel and is immersed in writing it. However, she’s been stuck on the ending. She wanted a chilling, mysterious scene, but nothing has felt alive enough.
A few strange things start happening in the cabin. Pages of the novel disappear, objects move, footsteps are heard in the attic…
Cilan treats it as a mystery to be solved. Cilan and Shauntal happen to appreciate each other’s extravagance, as Shauntal also narrates every single occurrence in a very dramatic fashion.
Eventually, they discover the culprit is a small Vanillite hiding in the attic. His head is melting because of the cabin’s heat, but he seems hesitant to go outside as well.
Iris is terrified at the sight of the ice type, but eventually sees Vanillite is more scared of her than she is of it. Shauntal says it’s weird a Vanillite doesn’t want to go back to the cold.
Then someone knocks on the door: it’s clearly Team Rocket in disguise, saying they are looking for their Vanillite. At first, they give it over… but Vanillite seems very hesitant. While Ash questions why Vanillite is acting that way, Shauntal suddenly has a revelation about the ending of her novel. She declares that the strangers at the door must be impostors! Team Rocket assumes they have been exposed and launches into their motto, shocking everyone else, who had not yet realized they were lying.
They explain snowstorms like these are perfect to catch weakened Pokemon and that they had caught a few Vanillite and Vanillish already, but that one had escaped them. They also say they need to gather Pokemon to prove to the boss they are still useful despite Pierce’s accident. Shauntal sends out her Jellicent, who sends Team Rocket away flying.
The Vanillish and Vanillite are released and they all together happily reunite. However, a big shadow in the middle of the snowstorm startles them all back into the cabin. Shauntal excitedly writes about it all.
The snowstorm momentarily fades out, and it’s just a Winter Sawsbuck.
The Vanillite and Vanillish leave, merrily ever after.
Shauntal thanks the group and packs up her things, saying she’s had an idea for a new novel. Cilan asks if she will publish the one she just finished writing, and she gifts the whole manuscript to Cilan, saying it’s more their story than it is hers. It’s extremely large.
Once she’s left, Cilan realises why her face was familiar: she was Shauntal, from the Elite 4! Ash is unbelievably disappointed he could not challenge her, and tries to run after her, failing.
Ash's team: Pikachu, Herdier, Oshawott, Leavanny, Darumaka, Archeops, Scraggy, Krokorok
Iris' team: Axew, Excadrill, Emolga, Zweilous
Cilan's team: Pansage, Crustle, Stunfisk
Badges obtained: 6
Season progress: 29/48
Deleted episodes: 12
Roselia won for the Gen III Pokémon that most feels like a Gen IV Pokémon! Congrats to u/Kksliderisreal for having the most upvoted comment!
Day 15: which Gen 4 Pokémon's design looks like they are from Gen 3?
IMPORTANT: When suggesting a Pokémon, you MUST also mention why their DESIGN makes you think of another gen. No need for a long paragraph, just a short reason why (shape, color palette, design influences, resemblances..., literally whatever). A comment without a proper design reason will NOT be considered.
Most upvoted (valid) comment wins!
This is the fifteenth part of my rewrite series on the Black and White series of the Pokémon anime. If you missed out on the last entry, go to this post!
This 4-episode arc covers the epic Clubsplosion, the second of the series' mini tournament arcs.
Okay so of course instead of being alongside Stephan at the beginning, they go say hi to Trip (who, remember, they saw as they exited Celestial Tower). Trip explains he came out of curiosity to ring the bell by insistence of the townsfolk, but wanted to avoid the mass of people in the festivity. Ash asks what he was going to ring the bell for, and Trip smugly says there is no way he’s letting anything be up to chance in the upcoming Clubsplosion, in which he’ll be taking part.
Before being able to ask what that is, Bianca (like in canon) comes rushing and throws Ash into the river, as always. Bianca explains she’s also going to sign up for the Clubsplosion, so they all head there. Trip separates from the group, not without telling Ash he’s going down this time.
When in line to sign up they also meet with Stephan, who asks which Pokémon Ash is planning on using, as it is a 1-Pokémon only tournament. Ash wonders if Pikachu might be the right choice, but Stephan lets him know only Pokémon who know at least 1 fighting-type move are allowed. Ash then makes up his mind and chooses Scraggy.
Burgundy then shows up, letting the group know she’s joining too and rubbing her new B-class Connoisseur diploma on Cilan’s face. She then says she’s raring to crush Cilan in battle, but Cilan lets her know none of his Pokémon know any Fighting-type moves, so he won’t be taking part. Burgundy is pissed.
Georgia then shows up too and wonders if her Dragon types know any Fighting type moves, to then jokingly tell Iris she “forgot she only owns a measly Axew”. Iris laughs at her and proudly shows her Zweilous off... but before they realise the two heads have become entangled with one another, making Georgia laugh out loud at the sheer ridiculousness of her Dragon team. She asks Iris to enter with her Axew, and lets her know they are selling Rock Smash TMs (a move Axew can learn) over there for anyone needing a fighting type move. Burgundy then sees a chance, rushes out and brings a Rock Smash TM to Cilan, forcing it upon Pansage. Now he can participate, she says while smiling.
When introducing the Clubsplosion, Don George lets them know a few important things. For starters, the first round is actually a martial demonstration to showcase their Pokémon’s best fighting type moves. To test them, they’ll go up against Elite 4 member Marshal, who will later on spectate and comment on the matches alongside Freddy O’Martian and Don George. He happens to be an extremely stoic dude who has an insane obsession for Casteliacones.
Anyway, Ash wonders which Pokémon Marshal will use and is excited to fight him.
The 32 signed-up trainers all line up to wait for their turn. There, Stephan meets again with Montgomery, who tells him he won last year’s Clubsplosion and thus is here to preserve his crown. Meanwhile, Ash meets again with Delbert and his Mienshao, who salutes Pikachu.
The first one to show off is Montgomery. He comes face to face with Marshal, whose presence is very imposing. Montgomery shows his Throh and Marshal tells him to make his move, shocking everyone. Montgomery just goes and tells Throh to use Storm Throw. Marshal fights Throh head-on, but Throh is capable of lifting him and sending him flying towards a wall. The attack is mighty strong and Freddy O'Martian says Marshal shouldn't be able to survive that, but Marshal seems unfazed, shocking everyone. Marshal still gives his seal of approval.
There’s a montage with the different ways in which the Pokemon torture Marshal: Sawk Karate Chops his waist, Iris’ Excadrill Focus Blasts his face, Delbert’s Mienshao Force Palms him, Bianca’s Emboar Arm Thrusts him, Trip’s Conkeldurr uses Superpower…
It’s time for Ash, who calls Scraggy out. Scraggy goes for an upwards High Jump Kick, jumps trying to hit Marshal… but he jumps too early and utterly misses. He then starts falling at top speed, covers his face on his sack to brace for impact… and then realises his still charged up High Jump Kick has landed right on Marshal’s head. Marshal, somehow not in pain, gives his approval.
Anyway, the 16 contestants who performed best against Marshal have been selected and we’re ready for the actual rounds.
We start with Stephan vs Edmund, which already is a fun enough fight to establish Stephan.
In-between fights, Ash asks Bianca how her journey is going. Bianca lets Ash know she recently got her third badge from the Striaton Gym, and suddenly remembers Chili and Cress gave her a new recipe they had concocted for Cilan to try. Bianca searches for it crazily, and finally finds it… but it’s an absolute mess, of course. Cilan laughs it off and says Minccino must have loved how clean their restaurant’s kitchen is… and then Bianca realises she left Minccino there! No one can believe it. Bianca rushes out before they can remind her her fight will soon take place.
Stephan joins them after his fight is over, and so the second fight starts: Delbert vs Montgomery. Ash and Pikachu root for Delbert, but like in canon, it’s a beating from Montgomery. Montgomery smugly leaves as Delbert thanks Mienshao for his effort.
Next we have the canon Angus vs. Ash, and we are left with the canon Burgundy v. Iris as the cliffhanger like in the actual BW070.
OMG it’s such a silly title. I love it.
Besides the canon Burgundy v. Iris (Dewott v. Excadrill), we would have Ash’s Oshawott jump out of his Pokeball to watch Burgundy’s Dewott, imagining himself like that and being terrified of the idea, covering his scalchop. Ash observes curious, not fully understanding.
Also scrap the Scraggy v. Bianca side scene. Instead, Bianca rushes back, says she called the restaurant and she’ll have to go pick Minccino back from there when she next has a chance. She says she’s a disaster and whatnot, and that what would her father think of her, but Ash reassures her.
We remove a bit of filler from Trip and Montgomery being insufferable, Iris gets the win like in canon (it is honestly one of the best fights in canon BW if you ask me), conversation here conversation there to kill the time, training with Scraggy to improve his new Focus Blast, then the round continues.
Georgia v. Gail and Betty v. Getty are kept like in canon, and then Cilan’s Pansage defeats Mikael’s Ferroseed (deleted Flora’s Gothorita since she didn’t learn any fighting type moves in Gen V).
Lastly it’s Trip v. Bianca, and it’s more or less like in canon sure, with Trip saying he has trained his strength to be brutal and superior to any strategy anyone could ever come up with, including Ash himself. Bianca starts joking around, as per usual with her, but soon is overwhelmed as the beating is even more intense than in canon. The episode ends with Emboar near defeat.
We pick up where we left it. Like in canon, Conkeldurr uses Stone Edge, Emboar throws them back. Emboar’s last effort, paired with the activation of Blaze, wakes up something inside Bianca, who starts commanding Emboar to go all-in on the offensive. Trip isn’t shocked to learn Emboar could use Fling, he just didn’t expect he would be able to catch Stone Edge.
Anyway, the match is close until Bianca sees the chance in stealing Conkeldurr’s pillars (again, something Trip didn’t expect could happen), throws them back with Fling, then ends him with Hammer Arm. The conclusion is thus the same, but Trip isn’t humiliated by two hits; but rather by the fact a random strat got the other trainer fired up enough to end him.
Small break, Trip leaves without exchanging a single word, we get the characters interacting… and then we see Bianca watching clips from her father and her Darmanitan. Ash asks, and she says she felt something inside of her back then very similar to what happened when they battled his father… so she wants to give it her best.
We also get a scene with Stephan and Sawk training being visited by Montgomery and his Throh. Montgomery points out there’s still a lack of finesse in Sawk’s attacks, like he is incapable of detecting which is the most efficient way of attacking. Stephan considers it as Montgomery leaves.
The Sawk v. Pansage fight should punish Sawk’s forwardness at some point. It’s a cool joke that Sawk kills his evaluation time, but let’s show it have some negative consequences for Stephan too. Stephan takes the win regardless.
In the Betty v. Ash, instead of Betty calling down on Scraggy, have her be pissed off as fuck ‘cos he defeated her brother’s Simisage (why didn’t that happen???). We can keep her all-timer joke about Focus Blast, and the overall beat of the fight would be similar.
In the Georgia v. Bianca fight, Bianca tells Emboar to do like her father’s Darmanitan. Emboar moves very aggressively, almost trying to imitate a raging Darmanitan, but of course his stance isn’t the same. While she gets the advantage soon thanks to her forwardness and her type advantage, Emboar gets too tired and there’s an opening for Georgia to launch a Guillotine, which ends Emboar right there and then.
The image of Emboar fainting just like that leaves Bianca shook. She then runs, hugs Emboar tightly, and tries to call him back, but where is his Poké Ball? She helps Emboar up and walks with him to the Pokemon Center instead, visibly crying.
Then Montgomery beats Iris’ Excadrill comfortably. Instead of him randomly using Superpower to knock Excadrill out like in canon (demonstration of brute strength), he waits for the ground to tremble beside him to do so, definitely leaving Excadrill on the verge of fainting. Excadrill tries to hit back with Metal Claw but his Seismic Toss is perfectly positioned to stop it and end him. The goal here is to subvert expectations: Throh looks rude and is very strong indeed, but he’s also very disciplined. The original "Montgomery's Throh looks strong and brute and so he's strong and brute" is a bit boring.
We start with Georgia v. Stephan. Stephan is a bit too reckless still and Bisharp manages to take advantage of that. Georgia goes for Guillotine… but Sawk takes his time, sees how Bisharp approaches, and with Karate Chop stops her right on his tracks to end her right after. Montgomery watches attentively.
Montgomery v. Ash happens just like in canon, with Scraggy getting crushed by Throh by virtue of sheer strength, although it's also true it's also a matter of the discipline Scraggy still very much lacks.
After Ash’s loss, Cilan spots a figure, of whom we barely see strands of green hair, leaving the stadium.
In the in-between scenes, we learn that Bianca left soon after her loss in the previous round. They are then surprised by a Throh, who approaches Stephan’s Sawk and salutes him. Stephan, knowing it's Montgomery's, doesn’t want this interaction to happen, but Sawk accepts it, as the two challenge each other.
The Montgomery v. Stephan then happens with little changes, it’s honestly my favorite BW fight by a comfortable margin. When Throh is using Seismic Toss and Sawk escapes, he does that by focusing on Throh’s specific grip (proving he's getting more disciplined)
Anyway, the conclusion of the fight is the same, with Sawk respectfully bowing to Throh and walking away as Throh faints from exhaustion. Of course, Montgomery saying “it’s not all about brute force” makes no sense since his style has changed considerably. The idea of the fight here is that finally Sawk completed his arc learning full-on discipline.
Anyway they all say goodbye, wonder how Bianca is doing, and the group heads for Icirrus City.
Ash's team: Pikachu, Herdier, Oshawott, Leavanny, Darumaka, Archen, Scraggy, Krokorok
Iris' team: Axew, Excadrill, Emolga, Zweilous
Cilan's team: Pansage, Crustle, Stunfisk
Badges obtained: 6
Season progress: 24/48
Deleted episodes: 8
Power Gem was chosen as the quintessential Special Rock type move! Congrats to u/GreedyCover2478 for having the most upvoted comment!
Day 7: what's the move that comes to mind when it comes to Status Bug type moves? Not the best, but the most important / memorable one to the best of your knowledge!
Most upvoted comment wins!
This is the fourteenth part of my rewrite series on the Black and White series of the Pokémon anime. If you missed out on the last entry, go to this post!
This brief 3-episode arc covers the time the group spends in Mistralton City, including Ash's sixth Gym battle!
The concept of the episode is cool. Genuinely so.
The problem stems from the execution, and it’s a big one. Skyla’s air battle against Cilan had her use Unfezant against Pansage, Swanna against Crustle and Swoobat against Stunfisk. She says these matchups will occur and she will win the fight. Cool, so let's see their fight, let's see Skyla make ths matchups occur so that she can prove her point right! Wait, WHAT DO YOU MEAN ONLY ONE OF THESE THREE TAKES PLACE? One out of three, HOW DOES HER WINNING THE BATTLE THIS WAY PROVE HER POINT?
But to make matters worse, Cilan does amazing against Skyla. He is close to taking down Skyla’s whole team and humbles Unfezant in particular in a way that borders utter humiliation. And yes, that hurts Skyla’s character… but what does it do for Ash, who struggles more so than Cilan to take down that same Unfezant the very next episode?? Pikachu does worse against Swanna than Stunfisk did, c’mon!!!
Just have Skyla switch them around (so Swoobat beats Stunfisk, she switches to Unfezant who defeats Pansage, she switches to Swanna who defeats Crustle), so although Cilan does very well and comes close to defeating each of Skyla’s Pokemon, he ends up being defeated time after time and loses 3-0.
Also, one last note: have Team Rocket be around there, taking the chance to steal the waiting trainers Pokemon to then be discovered. It's crazy how missing they are from the scenes where they could actually be good minute-fillers.
You people like to criticize Ash v Cress, and Ash v Elesa, and Ash v Roxie, why is no one criticizing Ash v Skyla? Fuck this battle, what can I tell you. The Aqua Ring making Swanna immune against Electric-type attacks is beyond random, especially seen as she did not use that strat against Stunfisk literally the episode before, WHY DIDN'T SHE???
Skyla does her epic entry with the launcher, the people cheer for the battle to come. The first fight is Swoobat against Krokorok, which Skyla predicted she would win. After some really good exchanges, Krokorok improvises, using Crunch to swing on the rings and launch himself upward. The battle is very close, but an unfortunate Gust knocks Krokorok’s sunglasses away. Krokorok is rattled and Ash calls him back. Skyla protests effusively as she had planned the battle to go a very specific way, but her grandfather says that’s not against the rules, and that Ash switching his Pokémon around is just as legal as when she does it.
Ash’s second Pokemon is Pikachu. She had planned to defeat him using Unfezant, and so Skyla makes the change. The fight is close, and while Pikachu’s electricity at first gives him the edge, it’s still not constant enough for him to be landing every electric attack perfectly. Skyla is indeed a prodigious trainer and her Unfezant flies at top speed (their Quick Attacks are faster than Pikachu's!) and hits hard, and so the two knock each other out eventually when Air Slash and an unstable Electro Ball clash against each other. Skyla says that’s good enough and brings Swanna out, asking to see Ash’s Archen (which was her planned matchup). However, Ash goes for Krokorok again.
Krokorok does surprisingly well and uses the same Crunch trick as earlier, but Swanna’s speed is very much superior and her water attacks deal with Krokorok.
Ash’s last Pokemon is Archen. Iris and Cilan worry her very limited flying skills will be troublesome and Emolga roots for her. Ash believes.
At first, Swanna overpowers her, but Archen manages to dodge and survive for long enough. Skyla begins to sigh, saying this battle is unfolding almost exactly as expected. She knows she will win the matchup if she simply continues. The certainty begins to bore her and, for the first time, she makes a decision not based on her Air Battle calculation: she recalls Swanna and sends Swoobat back out.
Iris wonders why Skyla made such a ridiculous choice, especially since Swoobat is already tired. Cilan however realizes what is happening: some part of her wants to see what different Pokemon will do against different aerial styles, igniting something within her.
Swoobat also gets an early lead, but is visibly tired from her previous fight. Archen manages to fly for long enough for her to get some good hits and, after a close fight, gets the win.
Swanna is back out, and again gives Archen much trouble. Archen’s flight is again inconsistent after Defeatist prompted, but Ash sees a way to go: a crazy one, at that. He tells Archen to use her climbing skills through the rings (the same Krokorok used earlier), Swanna avoids the incoming hit, but Archen doesn’t aim for that: she’s aiming for the launcher Skyla used in her presentation.
Archen lands right inside, shocking everyone, and the mechanism activates, sending her up flying at top speed. She uses Stone Edge to keep her distance, and then glides down to hit with Wing Attack, heavily damaging Swanna. Archen, motivated, starts spinning around as her clawed wings start to shine. Cilan is shocked and lets Iris know that's Hone Claws! Her amazing agility and increased precision allows her to connect more hits until, finally, she glides through an Air Slash current and finishes Swanna.
Skyla gives the badge to Ash and seems overjoyed that someone understands flying just as well as she does. Archen blushes. Skyla says she has realised flying itself is about freedom and movement, much like battles. Finally, Skyla tells them all she will stop accepting so many challengers so she can properly combine her two true passions: flying, and fighting with her flying-type ‘mons.
From the canon version, I’d love to keep the scene where Stephan and Sawk cosplay as Nurse Joy and Audino (peak comedy in my books), but alas, it’s an extremely odd episode overall (what’s wrong with Miles, why is he so horny all of a sudden?, also I thought we had left these creepy characters behind in the OS???) that also makes no use of the actual Celestial Tower, which kinda sucks. Stephan also showed up a bit earlier in my rewrite, so no need to feature him again. Lastly, the overall tone of the episode is fundamentally distinct from what I want.
So, here goes! Ready to head for the next city, the gang meets again with Skyla and Miles, who suggest they visit Celestial Tower before leaving. They explain trainers in Mistralton often climb the tower before and after important trips and battles to ring the bell, some for good luck, some for the memory of their loved ones, and some for superstition.
Cilan, fascinated about the idea that the bell’s tone may reflect the heart of the person or Pokémon who rings it, suggests they do as they say.
Upon arrival, they discover a small Wishing Bell festival, a local event where trainers and Pokémon climb the tower together. At the base, people write wishes on small ribbons and tie them near the entrance. There they meet Layla, a young girl traveling with a very shy Maractus. Layla explains that Maractus used to make beautiful maraca sounds, but after freezing during a performance, she stopped making sound altogether. Layla wants to ring the bell with her, hoping it will help Maractus find her rhythm again. She joins the party for the episode.
Ash writes that he wants to win the Unova League and become a Pokémon Master, and Cilan writes that he wants to become a S-class Connoisseur. Iris, meanwhile, writes that she wants to make everyone at the Village of Dragons proud.
Jessie, James and Meowth also participate in disguise and write their own wishes. Jessie wishes for fame and beauty, James for a peaceful life, and Meowth wishes to soon replace Giovanni's Persian.
Each floor in the tower has different small challenges (Litwick charades, mystic readings…), where different Pokémon in the group (Oshawott, Scraggy, Herdier, Zweilous, Stunfisk...) all participate. The last floor is the sound floor, where humans and Pokémon make a sound together so the echoes reach the upper bell. Layla and Maractus struggle.
Meanwhile, Meowth starts an awful victory dance alongside Jessie and James. The stupidity of it all is amped by the group's clumsiest 'mons, all joining in; and so the previously ominous scene lightens up and Maractus relaxes for the first time.
Finally, the few winners reach the uppermost floor. Layla and Maractus are about to ring the bell, but Team Rocket removes their disguises and steals their spot. No matter how hard they try, the bell does not make any noise. Woobat and Yamask try attacking it to no avail. Then Layla’s Maractus feels brave and fires a Solar Beam towards them, sending them flying.
Layla and Maractus finally ring the bell, and the bell sounds!… but Maractus still makes no sound himself. They are disappointed. As they are leaving and being consoled by the group, the bell’s rhythm starts echoing, with everyone joining in inadvertently to the melody. Until suddenly, Maractus himself joins in as well!
After a brief musical moment, they all leave. Layla thanks the group and says she and Maractus will try performing again someday.
Finally, as the group is leaving, they see Trip from afar and wonder what is he doing here. Meanwhile, we see that right next to the bell sits none other than N, who briefly touches the bell and wonders how could he had been so blind to such pure feelings.
Ash's team: Pikachu, Herdier, Oshawott, Leavanny, Darumaka, Archen, Scraggy, Krokorok
Iris' team: Axew, Excadrill, Emolga, Zweilous
Cilan's team: Pansage, Crustle, Stunfisk
Badges obtained: 6
Season progress: 20/48
Deleted episodes: 8
This question just popped in my mind and I’m not sure I have a good answer for it.
What’s that one ability we could fundamentally remove for good from the game without changing anything key from a Pokémon’s identity and flavour, traditional gameplay, etc. This is removing, not replacing!
So unitary abilities cannot be deleted (‘cos then we would be left off with Pokémon without an ability), things like Truant or Defeatist are off the table ‘cos they define a Pokemon, Pure Power and Huge Power sure are repeats but if you remove one then a few Pokemon will be left without their go-to option…
Would love to hear your thoughts!
Earthquake was (shockingly!) chosen as the quintessential Physical Ground type move! Congrats to u/garden-eyes for having the most upvoted comment!
Day 6: what's the move that comes to mind when it comes to Special Rock type attacks? Not the best, but the most important / memorable one to the best of your knowledge!
Most upvoted comment wins!
This is the thirteenth part of my rewrite series on the Black and White series of the Pokémon anime. If you missed out on the last entry, go to this post!
This 5-episode arc covers the time the group spends traveling from Driftveil City to Mistralton City, including an exciting new evolution and an eighth team member for Ash.
Okay so I like this episode’s concept. Maybe my favorite part of canon BW is that they kept bringing back Bianca with solid excuses for her to be around — it's a shame they literally dropped her after this arc, but alas, let's tackle things one at a time.
To build on Pikachu’s constant electricity issues, we can have the episode start with a camping scene, Emolga is once again with her shenanigans (trolling Zweilous and whatnot) until suddenly her energy starts being drained. They mention Chargestone Cave like in canon, then notice Emolga’s issue. Cilan tries to help with Stunfisk, Stunfisk has been drained too; and then the pesky Joltik try to attack Pikachu, but that overloads them! (in canon, Pikachu gets drained normally), then Pikachu faints as well. That’s for the setup.
As for the episode's plot itself, Team Rocket is back too with a Team Rocket-like problem-of-the-day setup, damn this episode is rocking it thus far!. This time around, they are collecting the stones for a later plot we’ll have, and they’d even succeed at stealing a few. Of course, Cilan's Dwebble evolves into Crustle like in canon.
Again, I like this concept. The execution... I mean. It's fine.
I’d make some emphasis on why Bianca wants to exchange her Shelmet. She’d eventually confess her whole issue is that she was never able to make Shelmet connect with her style, and she wants someone undoubtedly stronger, someone like an Escavalier, since Shelmet is maybe the least imposing creature ever and she doesn't even find him to be cute.
When Juniper is dealing with Klinklang, Bianca looks in awe, loving what she’s doing. Anyway, Bianca confesses and Ash criticizes her for not wanting to commit to Shelmet. But Juniper doesn’t agree: Shelmet is visibly excited about the trade as well, as the last thing he wants to do is to fight anymore.
When Juniper brings out the newly evolved Accelgor, he still looks extremely shy.
So for the tag battle, Ash picks Swadloon, Juniper’s Accelgor runs away from danger and Escavalier doesn’t listen to Bianca at all.
Bianca is sorry Escavalier’s ferociousness is even harder to deal with than Shelmet’s shyness. Like in canon, Accelgor ends up acting all defensive of Escavalier with Substitute, and eventually Escavalier defends Accelgor too.
The battle is very similar to the canon one: Bianca gets hyped up, Swadloon covers Crustle from the Hyper Beams, faints, but that gives the opening for Crustle to end them with Shell Smash -> Rock Wrecker.
To end things off, like in canon, Bianca then leaves, and Cedric Juniper shows up from the cave.
You could pretty much leave the episode as-is — in a vacuum, I'm not even kidding when I say this is a Top 10 episode out of the 140 canon ones. But the problem is that this Cedric guy is specialized in Zekrom, AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO MENTION YOUR PIKACHU LITERALLY FAINTED FROM INTERACTING WITH IT?!
I feel they really didn't know what to do with that, and I get it, but c'mon, add a little reference or something. Ash should tell Cedric Juniper about their encounter with Zekrom, and that's what prompts Cedric to invite them over to the expedition (instead of being the most random invitation ever). Also, when near the Golden Dark Stone, Pikachu’s electricity is again uncontrolled, which makes Cedric note that old relic sites are in synch with the energy of the Legendary Dragons, so it makes sense Pikachu is feeling sick again and it's likely his previous episodes coincided with moments Zekrom was nearby, thus why they were sporadic. Why Pikachu, though, escapes Cedric's best knowledge, who takes note of the phenomenon and promises to study to find an answer in due time.
Oh also!, just to not lose them completely and since it’s the setting the anime loved to place them in the most, have Team Rocket be around as well for a bit of comedy. Again, these small showings that made them lovable, nothing much at all.
The group arrives at a small town on their way to Mistralton. There they see a group of kids battling: it’s a 2v1, Mick and Sean against the bully Glenn, who is using Pokemon borrowed from his older brother. These are much stronger than the Patrat and Deerling Mick and Sean can use, so even though he sucks at using them, it’s a beatdown.
Ash confronts Glenn, saying if he’s so strong, he should battle someone who can face him. When he’s about to teach the kid a lesson, the Sunglasses Krokorok shows up and challenges Pikachu, and so Glenn laughs it off, saying apparently Ash has more important business to take care of. While Cilan jokes Krokorok has no concept of scheduling, Ash understands Krokorok won’t let them be and so he won’t be able to focus on Glenn, and accepts the fight.
The kids watch Pikachu and Krokorok fight and Glenn starts becoming interested in Krokorok, secretly saying he’ll catch him for himself and leaving in a rush right after.
The battle goes on, Krokorok is doing great, but then Glenn comes back with a Poké Ball and throws it at Krokorok, impacting right on his forehead, knocking his glasses off while trapping him. Everyone is shocked, but Krokorok soon frees himself. He’s not angry, just scared. Pikachu gives him his sunglasses back, and Krokorok thanks him quietly, clearly embarrassed.
Ash now definitely confronts Glenn (who is frustrated the ball failed), saying Pokémon are not feeling-less beings one can just throw Poké Balls at to then use for his own good. Glenn argues his brother taught him wild Pokémon are fair game to be caught. That’s what trainers like Ash do all the time! But Ash argues Pokémon are not caught to be battle machines — they are meant to be partners.
Glenn gets angry and says that’s easy to say for someone who already has a ton of Pokemon. He then says that, since Ash is so insistent, he’ll fight Krokorok fair and square like true trainers do.
Ash tries to stand in between, but Krokorok accepts.
Glenn uses his Seismitoad. Krokorok cannot approach him comfortably, but finally gets a good hit with Dig and Crunch. Glenn, mad, uses a second Pokemon in Scolipede. Ash says that’s unfair and asks Pikachu to help out for a tag battle. Krokorok at first tries to keep Pikachu from participating, but he’s eventually overpowered and Pikachu helps him out. Krokorok starts following Ash's instructions to give the duo the edge, and they even unleash a powerful combination, where Krokorok’s Crunch catches Pikachu’s Electro Ball and amps its damage.
Upon defeating Seismitoad and Scolipede, Mick and Sean show up accompanied by a young adult who introduces himself as Glenn’s older brother. He apologises on his behalf as Glenn concedes defeat, and the group of friends agree to play with each other using smaller Pokemon so that nobody gets hurt.
Krokorok prepares to leave, but Ash wonders whether he isn’t tired of wanting to fight Pikachu. When they were fighting, they looked like they were having so much fun!, and it’s so much more fun to fight alongside someone than against them.
After some hesitation, Krokorok lets himself be caught by Ash.
The group has almost reached Mistralton City, but camps for the last time to grab a bite. While they eat, the Pokemon train for a bit, with Emolga helping Archen sustain his gliding, Axew and Scraggy going at each other, Oshawott squirting some water at Darumaka (who faints instantly…)
They are then startled by the sound of a falling tree nearby. When they rush over to see what’s going on, they see a Sawk training by felling trees with his bare hands, and see it’s Stephan’s. They catch up with each other as Sawk keeps hitting the trees, with Scraggy stupidly headbutting the trees as they fall and Zweilous biting their twigs off, forcing Ash and Iris to drag them away.
However, Sawk is visibly uncomfortable. His hits are strong, but his posture keeps shifting and he keeps adjusting his belt after every movement, growing in frustration. Eventually, he walks away from the training area.
Stephan explains that ever since Oshawott used Razor Shell on his belt during the Club Battle, Sawk has struggled to find one that feels right. The belt is not just decoration, as it also helps Sawk settle his stance and feel centered before striking.
Swadloon comes up to Sawk and offers to make him a new belt, but the result is too soft and as soon as Sawk tries it, it stretches out of place.
Then the group meets Montgomery, a cocky and composed trainer traveling with his Throh. He says they’re here so that Throh can replace his belt (which he weaves from vines), as he likes to change it every time they grow stronger. Sawk watches Throh’s technique attentively and then tries to replicate it, but fails. Montgomery laughs at Sawk’s lack of discipline.
Stephan reacts harshly, challenging Montgomery to a fight, but he laughs it off saying it isn’t worth his time to fight a battler not even capable of standing properly.
Throh makes Sawk an improvised belt that, although sturdy, feels way too tight for Sawk to wear. Throh, however, incentivizes him to try and train with it. Montgomery invites them over to a small training area nearby.
Everyone participates: Ash with his Oshawott’s Razor Shell, Iris with Excadrill’s Metal Claw, Cilan with Crustle’s X-Scissor, and then Sawk and Throh. They start cutting through vines, posts, rocks… Sawk is very uncomfortable still and his hits are not precise enough. Oshawott invites Scraggy over to use Headbutt and practice the weak-point lesson he learnt from Krokorok back in the day. Sawk observes the scene and it helps him refocus: it’s not about hitting harder, or copying Throh’s stance.
Cilan observes Swadloon’s original belt was too comfortable, and Throh’s is too restrictive. Sawk needs something that is both flexible and firm.
By Stephan’s initiative, Sawk uses Bulk Up to speed up and finish the course before Throh, but he overshoots it and cuts through several anchor vines that held the old training structure together.
Everyone reacts and tries to help. Sawk, oddly positioned, tries to use his strength to stop the supports, but he’s way too uncomfortable as the belt Throh made becomes more and more tense, and it seems like he will faint from the pressure. He’s then aided by Throh, who uses his strength; Oshawott, who cuts the belt open again; and Swadloon, who uses String Shot as woven support. She creates temporary straps around Sawk’s waist and the damaged structure, adjusting tension while Sawk moves. For the first time, her threadwork is both protective and practical.
Sawk, with renewed strength and aided by Stephan, helps Throh out and they fix the issue. Sawk looks at the temporary belt Swadloon made and bows in gratitude... and Swadloon, thankful for the praise, evolves into Leavanny!
Sawk and Leavanny end up collaborating to make him a belt (with firm plant fibers, flexible stitching…) that makes proper sense for him to wear. Sawk tests it and finally settles into his stance. Montgomery remains smug and leaves, as Throh and Sawk say goodbye with mutual respect, clearly looking forward to a real battle someday.
Stephan bids the group goodbye and the group finally continues toward Mistralton.
Ash's team: Pikachu, Herdier, Oshawott, Leavanny, Darumaka, Archen, Scraggy, Krokorok
Iris' team: Axew, Excadrill, Emolga, Zweilous
Cilan's team: Pansage, Crustle, Stunfisk
Badges obtained: 5
Season progress: 17/48
Deleted episodes: 8
This is the twelfth part of my rewrite series on the Black and White series of the Pokémon anime. If you missed out on the last entry, go to this post!
This 4-episode arc covers the time the group spends in Driftveil City, including Ash's fifth Gym challenge.
The group finally arrives at Driftveil City. Cilan recommends taking some time to experience the city before challenging the gym.
The focus is on how lively and crowded the market is. While exploring the market, the group meets Charles, a loud and dramatic biker who rides through the streets delivering goods between stalls. He’s very theatrical, calling himself a heartbreaker and saying he’s in love. In love with battling, with Driftveil City, and with the spirit of people and Pokemon living freely.
After a series of comedy scenes, evening falls, the market closes, and several vendors mention that supplies have been disappearing at night. Charles drops his attitude and says he has somewhere to be.
That night, while Ash is training for a bit, they hear commotion in the market. They rush over and find some thieves trying to steal cargo from the stalls. Ash prepares to battle them, but then a masked figure shows up, it’s the Mighty Accelguard. He looks and moves epic, strikes poses and calls out heroic lines about justice, love and protecting Driftveil. Ash is amazed.
The group helps clear out the thieves, but it is Accelgor doing most of the job. Iris and Cilan quickly notice that it is Charles, but Ash is clearly oblivious and loves the guy. Cilan decides not to spoil the charm of the character.
The next morning, the group meets Charles again in the market. Charles acts shocked when he learns about the events of the previous night, but that he is pleased the stolen goods were recovered. His Accelgor also acts like he knows nothing.
Cilan points out Charles’s two sides are not opposites, as both are driven by the same love for Driftveil and its people and Pokemon.
The group is grabbing a bite in a very nice place in Driftveil, which was personally recommended to them by Cress. Ash is totally ready to head for the Gym, but the food is way too good to pass on.
They are surprised to then meet Luke, who is accompanied by his trusty Golett, his equipment; and a rude looking guy. Cilan is shocked: it’s Clay, Driftveil Gym’s leader! Ash hurries to introduce himself and ask for a fight, but then we learn it’s actually Zorua playing charades with them.
Luke lets them know he’s working on another short and he wants a good view of the always busy Driftveil Harbor, thus why he’s spent all morning long recording the boats come and go. He sets up his camera elsewhere to record a few other shots and is then shocked by a particular boat carrying a very odd banner: is it pirates?
Iris quickly identifies them: they are from the Village of Dragons. Iris suddenly gets evasive, saying it is “not a big deal” and trying to walk away before the ship docks. Zorua then transforms into Iris and starts waving dramatically at the ship, making sure everyone notices them.
Iris tries to stop the people in the boat from noticing them but fails, as a young woman in the boat recognizes her. She effusively jumps out of the boat and says hi, introducing herself as Mira, an old acquaintance of Iris. She lets them know they are shipping medicinal herbs. Cilan has heard stories that the Village’s herbs are among the best in Unova and asks to see them. Luke also wants to record the unloading process for his documentary. Mira invites them aboard. Iris, still visibly uncomfortable, goes along with it.
Elsewhere in the harbor, Team Rocket receive a boat being sailed by Pierce, who welcomes them aboard and lets them know that, taking advantage of Team Plasma’s silence following their Nimbasa appearance, they will finally initiate their operation targeting the Forces of Nature. He needs them next to collect some specific type of energy.
On the ship, Mira introduces the group to her younger sister, Shannon, who is caring for an ill Zweilous. Zweilous is feverish, and Mira explains she became ill during the trip and that, for whatever reason, she won’t eat the medicinal herb they thought would fix her seasickness, so they’ve assumed she must be seriously ill. She's visibly least energetic than she usually is, and her usual goofiness and recklessness are nowhere to be seen, entirely replaced with exhaustion.
Ash asks whether they shouldn’t take her to a Pokémon Center. Mira seems to dislike the suggestion and says they’ll find a solution.
She explains Pokémon like Zweilous are used to being treated with traditional remedies, because their bodies and temperaments respond strongly to natural methods. Iris explains it’s a tradition of the Village of Dragons and that the Village has cared for Dragon Pokémon for generations, but Cilan and Ash don’t quite see it.
As Mira and Shannon run a few odd tests on Zweilous that Luke very interestedly records; Mira asks whether Iris has gone visit Drayden once and for all. Shannon, clearly looking up to Iris, wonders if Iris is really training to become a Dragon Master, and Iris explains she’s barely helping Axew grow for the moment. She’ll go big when she has the time.
Mira and Shannon do not find what’s wrong with Zweilous, and wonder what they may have missed. Suddenly, Zorua accidentally knocks over some of the remaining cargo and that, combined with the sound of ship horns and machines moving crates, alters Zweilous, who lashes out and breaks away from Shannon.
Zweilous runs wild through the harbor. The group tries to do damage control, with Herdier and Archen hunting after Zweilous, Swadloon stabilizing cargo, Excadrill and Dwebble protecting some people, Zorua turning into Officer Jenny to organize the people… and then there’s Iris, who sees that part of the cargo that has fallen are rotten fruits, and then starts running through the city to catch Zweilous.
Iris finally corners Zweilous and tells Herdier and Archen to stand away from her, who is in very visible pain. She then starts talking to the Pokémon, trying to comfort her. Mira arrives and starts screaming for Iris to get back, warning her Zweilous are known to get easily mad. So do Ash, Cilan, Luke and Shannon.
Iris tells Zweilous this is a safe space, and that she is going to help her.
She finally manages to approach Zweilous and gives her an apple from a nearby tree which was a bit too tall for Zweilous' heads to reach. One of her heads tries to swallow it, but Iris stops her and splits it into two, and Zweilous eats it gladly. The group doesn’t understand anything and so they ask Iris… who explains that she does not know everything that was wrong, but that her Axew gets cranky when he’s hungry, and Zweilous looked exactly like that — rotten fruit gets her on her nerves, too. Zweilous also seemed to rush toward a particular tree.
Mira cannot believe she spent all morning running tests for this.
Finally, Mira and Shannon give Zweilous a mild restorative herb to help her recover from exhaustion, and then thank Iris. They ask her to pay them a visit soon at the Village, saying both the Elder and Drayden will be glad to see her back. Iris says she’s not so sure she’s ready yet, but assures them they’ll meet again soon.
Iris says goodbye to Zweilous too. One head seems melancholic while the other refuses to go back to the ship. Mira smiles and hands Iris her Poké Ball, saying that it's clear Zweilous doesn't want to set sail again. Iris hesitantly accepts the responsibility.
Mira and Shannon say goodbye as their ship parts again.
Luke shares with the group that she recorded some amazing close shots of Iris feeding Zweilous and asks for permission to present them at the festival. Iris looks at the photo smiling.
Ash is ready to enter the Driftveil Gym, but Clay is not there. The Gym is closed and a Gym aide tells the group he’s left for the Cold Storage.
They decide to wait shopping around Driftveil Market. There they overhear workers discussing strange incidents (power failures, missing cargo, and odd sounds coming from refrigerated containers after hours).
Clay then shows up, and loudly begins questioning the workers. Soon as he learns Clay’s the Gym Leader, Ash wants to challenge him, but understands they should first deal with whatever’s going on in Cold Storage. Ash asks to help and Clay accepts they come along. Charles (from BW057) also joins.
Near the docks, Ash encounters N. Ash is immediately guarded around him, but N says he has not come to battle or argue — he’s here because he has heard Pokemon calling from Cold Storage. Clay does not trust N in the slightest, but allows him to join the investigation because N clearly knows more than he is saying.
Inside Cold Storage, they move through dark, freezing corridors, Herdier follows strange scents and Darumaka uses his fire to keep the group warm. They suddenly overhear a few near-hypothermic Plasma grunts who are guarding some storage units. Inside there are stolen Poké Balls (some from the fishing competition in BW039) and research materials. Ash is furious, and N looks at the discovery with great shame.
We hear Zinzolin (freed by the Plasma grunts at some point between BW048 and now) blame the grunts for being too loud, but then he greets N (respectfully, as my lord), his words lacing with condescension. Zinzolin argues dreams demand people willing to do ugly work, and that true liberation, the one Team Plasma advocates for, requires structure, control and sacrifice.
N of course doesn’t agree, saying Pokemon cannot be freed through theft and fear. Clay, meanwhile, says that Pokemon are not slaves but rather teammates; and that whomever fails to understand that is not worthy of owning any Pokemon. Zinzolin laughs saying they are so far away from understanding what it will take to awaken Truth.
Clay’s Excadrill, Charles’ Accelgor and Ash’s Herdier, Darumaka and Pikachu start fighting Plasma grunts, while Iris and Cilan help out workers and trapped Pokemon out of the facility. Excadrill has no problem fighting off Zinzolin’s Cryogonal.
N frees Pokemon from some of the Poké Balls and explains the situation, after which they race to block escape routes and warn the group about hidden grunts.
Zinzolin manages to escape in the middle of the commotion, and N apologises for such behavior from who he once believed to be an ally. Clay says he should report N to the authorities, but he believes the guy has a good heart and will let him be for the time being, knowing goodness always ends up defeating any form of vanity. N leaves.
Clay thanks Ash and his friends (in his way), admitting he has guts but warning him guts alone will not be enough to defeat him in a Gym battle.
I want the fight to have some fun dynamic. Hear me out: the battlefield is in the middle of the mining site itself. Mine carts strolling around, frequent quakes. That allows for some fun strategies and battlefield-managing.
Battle starts, Ash uses Scraggy for his first big fight and Clay opens with Krokorok. Scraggy has good intentions but the complex battlefield has him clashing with all sorts of moving objects. Ash calls Scraggy back.
Next is Oshawott, who has the type advantage, but Krokorok’s Sand Attack blinds Oshawott and his attacks keep missing. He does free the battlefield from Krokorok's Sandstorm using the same strat he used in canon (maybe the best moment in all of the canon gym fights), but Ash ends up recalling him as well.
Ash brings out Archen as his third Pokémon. She keeps using his climbing skills and even manages to fly ever so slightly to avoid the moving objects. Some good combinations lead to Archen’s victory, but she is tired (Defeatist) and so Ash calls her back, bringing Scraggy out again.
Clay’s second Pokemon is Palpitoad. His attacks are strong and he complicates the terrain further by covering the battlefield on mud, but Scraggy’s pants prove to be a great defensive tool and his resilience makes him pull through and get the win.
Clay’s last Pokemon is Excadrill, who sets up another Sandstorm, crushes Scraggy and then overwhelms Archen with his increased Speed from Sand Rush activating.
Oshawott and Excadrill is the final matchup. The sandstorm is most definitely a bother and too strong for Oshawott's original strat, but it's not like Oshawott needs to look anyway. He's learnt to open his eyes while attacking, sure, but he's already specialized in attacking without knowing where he's going. Drill Run and Razor Shell clash time and time again and, after a surprising demonstration of stamina from Oshawott where his small size allows for some agile strategies; Oshawott grant Ash the victory.
Ash's team: Pikachu, Herdier, Oshawott, Swadloon, Darumaka, Archen, Scraggy
Iris' team: Axew, Excadrill, Emolga, Zweilous
Cilan's team: Pansage, Dwebble, Stunfisk
Badges obtained: 5
Season progress: 12/48
Deleted episodes: 7
Tailwind was chosen as the quintessential Status Flying type move! Congrats to u/DudefromSC234 for having the most upvoted comment!
Day 4: what's the move that comes to mind when it comes to Special Poison type attacks? Not the best, but the most important / memorable one to the best of your knowledge!
Most upvoted comment wins!
This is the eleventh part of my rewrite series on the Black and White series of the Pokémon anime. If you missed out on the last entry, go to this post!
This short 5-episode arc covers the time the group spends travelling from Nimbasa City to Driftveil City. Along the way, they'll meet none other than the Champion!
I love the anime’s version of Alder. This episode is gold (the title sucks but you know, minor details). “People and Pokemon working together with mutual respect, living in perfect harmony”. Perfect motto to set up the later N confrontation.
Few notes on this encounter with Trip
Honestly no notes. Filler with nothing amazing going on, but it’s cool world-building.
I’d personally add Team Rocket in here for a bit of comedy, getting lost in the forest and whatnot, but that’s just a passing thought.
Yep, yet another cool filler episode.
Extremely minor adjustments to make:
What a run of great filler episodes. I'll be the first to admit I was hoping Iris would get Deino, but the episode hits all the harder if she doesn't... just now.
Honestly no notes. Have Oshawott be the one fighting Cilan’s Stunfisk so that there’s not too much Swadloon, but that’s it.
The sunglasses Krokorok is once more challenging Ash’s Pikachu, hoping for (once and for all) a full fight against him. However, while they’re at it, Pikachu starts feeling sick. They all agree they should rush to a Pokemon Center, but they point out they are right in between cities and so they’re far from reaching one; and so they decide to stop and rest hoping for Pikachu to get better.
The Sunglasses Krokorok, somewhat worried, digs a hole and leaves in a rush, but no one pays much attention as they all tend to Pikachu.
The whole team leans in to help:
TL;DR: it’s a family taking care of Pikachu.
Suddenly, a wild Mienfoo appears. He looks very defiant, and at first they think it’s a wild Pokemon wanting to steal the food, but Cilan points out it looks extremely disciplined to be a wild burglar. The Mienfoo then points right at Pikachu, clearly showing he wants to fight him, but of course Pikachu cannot fight in this state.
Oshawott jumps right in and decides to fight Mienfoo himself. It’s a good fight, but Mienfoo’s crazy discipline overwhelms Oshawott. Mienfoo, despite being visibly exhausted, takes a few steady breaths and seems to want more fights. Pikachu tries to stand up to fight, but everybody convinces him to stand down as Pikachu faints again.
Then a trainer called Delbert comes rushing in and apologizes to everybody, saying that’s his Mienfoo, and that he’s wanted to fight Pikachu ever since they saw him defeat Elesa’s Emolga, who Mienfoo badly lost against when they tried to battle Elesa.
That night, while they sleep, it starts raining heavily and there’s a small thunderstorm. Pikachu’s electricity surges and, afraid of shocking the others, he wanders away from camp. Mienfoo, who was not far away training under a tree while Delbert was asleep in his tent; spots Pikachu walking away and follows him.
After another burst of uncontrolled sparks, Pikachu nearly collapses; but Mienfoo helps him stand up. Pikachu is clearly trying to avoid damaging anybody and so Mienfoo helps him with his breathing and balance.
Soon after, the group (and Delbert) finds them. Ash is about to rush in, but Cilan points out Mienfoo is helping Pikachu out — he’s teaching him some martial discipline to help him release small amounts of electricity safely, instead of letting it build up.
After the night is over, Pikachu is feeling better. Ash and Pikachu thank Mienfoo, who bows to them as it evolves into Mienshao. Pikachu is now raring to fight and so he and Mienshao have a brief match, without their trainers commanding them. As the two spar, Delbert bids them goodbye and goes rest under a tree, saying he knows he cannot stop Mienshao from training against a rival he respects.
Krokorok then shows up with Nurse Joy by his side and points towards Pikachu, but Joy says that, from what she can see, that Pikachu looks healthy now. Krokorok looks at the two sparring Pokemon with interest.
Ash's team: Pikachu, Herdier, Oshawott, Swadloon, Darumaka, Archen, Scraggy
Iris' team: Axew, Excadrill, Emolga
Cilan's team: Pansage, Dwebble, Stunfisk
Badges obtained: 4
Season progress: 8/48
Deleted episodes: 6
Tackle was chosen as the quintessential Physical Normal type attack! Congrats to u/rose_petal_dragon for having the most upvoted comment!
Day 2: what's the move that comes to mind when it comes to Special Fighting type attacks? Not the best, but the one you associate "Special Fighting" to, the most important / memorable one that comes to mind!
Most upvoted comment wins!
Oricorio won for the Gen VII Pokémon that most feels like a Gen VII Pokémon! Congrats to u/OutrageousFig for having the most upvoted comment!
Day 8: which Gen 8 Pokémon feels like they are from Gen 8?
p.s. While you may cast your vote based on whatever you want, the idea is, assuming you don’t know which generation the Pokémon is from — make your best guess as to which Generation it should belong to.
Most upvoted comment wins!