05x55 - Mother of All Battles

[bunniefuu]

male narrator:
Having safely delivered Larvitar

back to the care of its mother
in the Pokémon Preserve,

our heroes continue their
journey toward Silver Town,

site of the Johto League
Silver Conference.

all: Huh?

- Togi!

- Wonder what all those people
are doing.

- Wish they'd hurry it up.
- Me too!

- It'll be soon.

- Uh, excuse me.

- Are you guys waiting
for something special?

- Yeah!

You mean you haven't heard
about this?

The torch!
- Oh, what torch?

- We're talking the Johto League
Silver Conference torch!

- Ah!
We can see the torch here?

- Pika!

- Yup, you're standing in front
of the h*-Oh shrine, guys.

- The torch starts its journey
to the Conference

right from this spot.

- That means we could see it
up close.

What do you say we hang out
and see the torch, guys?

- You bet!
- Count me in!

- Pika-pika!
- Togi-togi!

[singing]
- Pokémon

- No time to question my moves

I stick to the path
that I choose

Me and my friends
are gonna do it right

You'll never see us
run away from a fight

To be a Master is my dream

All I've got to do is believe

And I believe

I've got a chance to win

I'm on my way to victory

- Pokémon

- I can be a Champion

If I just believe

I'm on a Master Quest

Master Quest

I want the whole world to see

And I believe

I'm gonna be the very best

'Cause all I've got to do

Is believe in me

- Pokémon

- Let us see the torch!

Come on!
- Taking so long...

- Man, I can't wait!

- I know.
I just wish it would hurry up.

- It's so exciting!

- Togi-togi!

- Pika-pika!

- Wonder what the holdup is.

- The torch runner
should have been here by now.

- I hope the runner's okay.

- Hmm...
- I wish they would tell us.

- Ladies and gentlemen,

we apologize for the delay,

but, uh, due to some
unforeseen circumstances,

it will be just a bit longer

before the torch
actually arrives

- Aw, now what?
- Togi-togi.

- Pika-pi!
- Togi-togi.

- We've been waiting all day.

- Pikachu!
- Hey, come back here!

- Pikachu!

- Togepi!

- Togi-togi-togi.

- Not so fast, you two.

You're not allowed here!

- Pikachu!

- Togepi!
- Sorry.

- They're both
just very excited, sir.

That's all.

- That's okay.

Just try and be
more careful.

[shouting and gasping]

What on earth is the matter?

- How are we supposed to train

in the middle
of all this danger?

- It doesn't make any sense

for us to put our Pokémon
at such risk

right before the Silver
Conference even begins!

- I'm going back
to the Pokémon Center!

- Me too!

- No, wait!
Please, don't!

[sighs]
There's two more gone.

- Wow.

I guess those trainers
are entered

in the Silver Conference too.

- Yes, are all of you entering
the Conference as well?

- Yeah, I am anyway.

- Well, in that case,
I have a gigantic favor

I'd like to ask of you.

Is that okay?
- Uh, I guess so.

- I've asked scores and scores
of other Pokémon Trainers

the same favor,
but they all end up

running away in fear

just like
those two trainers did.

[all gasp]

- Why'd they do that?

- What's so scary up there,
huh?

- I see.

- Huh?

- So we've got a little problem
here, eh?

No sweat.

I'd be happy
to help you all out!

- Great, but I don't think
we've met before.

- My name's Harrison,

and I'm a Pokémon Trainer
from Littleroot Town,

which is in the Hoenn Region.

- Littleroot Town?

- Hmm, I think it's on
the other side of the ocean.

- Who are you?

- I'm Ash Ketchum
from Pallet Town.

- And I'm Misty.

- Yeah, and my name is Brock.

- Hey, guys!

Nice to meet you.

- See, we've got the torch
that'll light the Sacred Flame,

and our runners are all ready
to run with it

once it's lit,

but there's one little problem.

We can't get to
the actual flame to light it.

- But how come?

- Well, you see,
this shrine is named after

the ancient legend of h*-Oh.

- A legend?

- Yes.

Long ago,
there was a fierce battle

fought in this land.

Many Pokémon fought bravely
in this battle as well

and a great many were injured.

And when it was over,
the lake dried up.

All life disappeared,
and the earth was laid to waste.

It is said that's when h*-Oh,
the legendary Pokémon,

appeared.

h*-Oh unleashed
a rose-colored flame

that burned all human weapons
to a crisp,

putting an end to the battle.

All that remained afterwards
was a great wasteland

on which life
could no longer exist.

But from the ashes
of h*-Oh's flame,

the earth was rejuvenated,

and the lake and all plant life
were restored.

People put aside
their differences

and instead worked together
for peace.

One flame remained,
which was preserved

and called the Sacred Flame.

It has been preserved
for generation after generation.

And it is that very flame

that we use to light the torch
that lights the Sacred Fire

of the Silver Conference,
you see?

- Whoa, I'd never heard
that legend before.

- Pika!

- I get it.

And that's why they call
this place

the h*-Oh shrine.

- Yeah, I think my grandfather
told me that story once.

- It's filled with such love
and such mystery.

- Togepi!

- You need the Sacred Flame
to light the torch,

so where is it?

- There's a shrine

way up at the top
of these stone steps,

and the Sacred Flame
is preserved inside.

- So then why don't you
just go up there and get it?

- Well, because there's
a wild Sneasel up there

that lives very close
to the shrine.

- A Sneasel, huh?

- Pika-pika?

- Sneasel,
the Sharp Claw Pokémon.

Sneasel can extend or retract
its claws instantly

during attack.

- Sneasel--excellent!
- Huh?

- I'd heard that there were
wild Sneasel on Mount Silver,

and I've been wanting
to catch one of those Pokémon

for a long time!

- That Sneasel up there
is quite a terror.

It must be very territorial

because it attacks anyone
who attempts

to approach the shrine,
no matter what!

We've tried many times
to get the Sacred Flame,

but it's no use.

We just end up with more
and more injuries.

And to make matters worse,

that Sneasel's been joined
by Machop and Machoke!

- Wow, those three together
will be tough to beat!

- Yes, and that's why
I've been asking

so many different
Pokémon Trainers to help us out.

But sadly, they've all
returned here in defeat,

empty-handed and hurt.

- That sounds rough.

- Don't worry!

I'll bring you back
the Sacred Flame

no matter what!

- Pika-pika!

- Yeah, I'll help too.

- Togi-togi!

- And I'll go catch me
that Sneasel!

- Don't worry.
Just leave it all to us.

- Wow!
Really?

Thanks!
That would help us out so much!

- Yeah,
just a few more steps,

and we're at the Scared Flame.

- Pika-pika!

- Hey, James, did you overhear
what I overheard?

- Yes.

There's a sacred flame
that usually tops the torch

that caps the Silver Conference
Commencement,

but they can't seem to attain
that unattainable topper.

- Somewhere between
"sacred flame"

and "unattainable,"
you gave me a brilliant idea,

and the idea is that
we are going to steal that flame

and then hold it up
for ransom.

- It's a blazing bribe.

- And since they can't start
the Conference without it,

they'll pay big bucks!

- Little do those
Johto wannabes realize

that their quest for fire

is going to make us
fashionably rich.

I can't stand poverty
any longer.

Let's hurry.

[both yelping]

- Hey, you!
What gives?

- Machoke!

- Machop!

- Machoke! Machop!
- Hold it!

That muscleman routine
doesn't scare us.

- Maybe a little bit.

- Sneasel!

- Hmm.
What's this?

- A Sneasel.
- Sneasel?

Sounds like something

I would need to use
a tissue for.

- Snea-sneasel!
Sneasel!

- Translation?

- Sneasel's saying
that this is their turf

and we better scram
outta here fast!

- Really?

Who does that pathetic excuse
for a Pokémon

think that it's dealing with?

Arbok!

Go now!

- Sss-arbok!

- Arbok, Headbutt!

- Sss-arbok!

Yah!

- Sneasel! Sneasel!
Sneasel!

- Arbok!

- I'm impressed!

- Oh, please.

I've seen better moves
on a baby Weedle.

- Yeah?

Show us what you've got!

- Wait a sec!

All right, then.

Check out my Fury Swipe!

- Ha! Ha!
Sneasel!

- [wails]

Yipes!

- Like I said.

- Sneasel!

- Machop!

- Machoke!
- Arbok!

[together]
Team Rocket's

blasting off again!

- [panting]

How are we going
to get past Sneasel

after climbing
all of these steps?

- Togepi!

- Won't be long.

Almost there.

- There's the top.

All right!
- Pika!

- Yeah, we did it!

Whoa! Whoa!
- Pika!

- Ash!
- I got you!

- Hey, what's that?
- Pika!

- Togi...

- Whoa!

- Machoke and Machop!

- Oh, that's right.

He warned us
about these two!

- They look kind of mad.

- Brock, hold Togepi.

- Okay.

- Don't worry.
Just leave this to me.

Let's go, Corsola!

- Corsola!

- Corsola, Spike Cannon!

- Corsola!

- Machoke!

- Houndoom, Flamethrower!
Go!

- [roars]

- Chop!

- Ash, hurry!

Take this chance
to get to the shrine!

- Yeah, right.

The Sacred Flame, Pikachu.

- Pikachu!

- Sneasel!
- Pikachu!

- Whoa! Sneasel!

- Sneasel!

- All right, Totodile,

I choose you!

- Toto!

Ah!
[chattering]

- Sneasel!

- Totodile, you're not supposed
to be dancing with it.

- Pika-pika!

- [growls]

- Totodile, Water g*n!

- [gargling]

- Sneasel!

Sneasel!

Snea!

- That must be
Sneasel's Faint Attack.

- Corsola, Tackle attack!

- Corsola!

- Mah!

Choke...

- Houndoom, Flamethrower, go!

- Machop!

- Awesome!

- Togepi!

- Let's get over to the shrine
right away!

[together]
Right!

- Totodile, Water g*n now!

Mm.
No good.

- Pika!

- Agh!
Look out!

- Sneasel!

- No! Totodile!

- That Sneasel's really strong!

- Snea!

Yah!

- [wails]

- Wah!

- Ash!
- Oh!

- Whoa!
[grunting]

- Ash!
- Ash!

- [shouting]

[groans]

Totodile, are you okay?

- [growls]

- Ash!

- Are you hurt?
- Pikachu!

- No, but I think
that Sneasel's

a lot stronger
than we thought.

- Yeah, you're right.

- Well, we're gonna
have to take

a different approach
to this.

- Who's that Pokémon?

- It's Elekid!

- That Sneasel's
one pumped-up Pokémon.

- More hunk then we could
handle.

- Hey, you think if I eat right
and exercise,

I could evolve
into a Sneasel?

- No, you'll just evolve
into a Persian.

- Well, that ain't so bad.

- Bad?

Your battle with Sneasel
was bad,

and as a Persian,
it won't be much better.

- Gee, I ain't feeling no love.

- James, come with me.

- What's up?

Oh...

- Uh-oh.

What now?

- James, what if
we were to retire Meowth

from the lineup and set our
sights on signing that Sneasel?

- What?

Have you lost
your final marble?

We need Meowth!

- James!
Keep it down!

Think about it, James.

Switching to Sneasel

would transport our team
to the toppermost!

- This is something I'll have
to put some thought into.

- Come on.
It's a no-brainer.

Besides, just think
of how cool we'll appear

with Sneasel in
on our Team Rocket cheer.

Team Rocket blasts off
at the speed of light!

- Surrender now,

or prepare to
fight, fight, fight!

- Sneasel!

- You've got a point there.

But think of everything
we've been through

with our little Meowthy.

- That James may not be smart,

but he sure is sweet!

- James, use your head!

If we had fought side-by-side
with Sneasel

instead of that sorry excuse
for a sidekick,

we might have actually
accomplished something by now!

Meowth has been nothing to us
but a lead weight

dragging us down the drain
of doom and gloom.

- Better look in the mirror,
sister,

if you want to see who runs
the gloom and doom patrol.

- Wake up!

Why don't you start thinking
about what's best

for Team Rocket for a change?

Fire up that brain
and tell me...

Who's cooler,
Meowth or Sneasel?

- Well, that would be Sneasel
by a mile.

- Right!
So the decision's made.

We're bringing in Sneasel
to replace Meowth.

Whoo-hoo!

- Sorry for the delay,
dear Meowth,

but we have come
to an important decision

regarding the future
of Team Rocket,

and so I regret to inform you

that you're out
and Sneasel is in.

Okeydokey?

Now, isn't that a great idea?

- That's genius!

I can really see
that Sneasel

fitting right in
with you guys.

Perhaps I might just
ask that Sneasel

for a tip or two
on how to become so cool.

- Bravo! Bravo!
A fine plan!

So now that that's decided,
shall we?

- I guess.

- [thinking]
No losers are gonna

put this Meowth out to pasture

and get away with it!

- Mah!

- Pika-pi!

- Choke!

- Machop!

- Sneasel!

- Now, Ash,

let's make quick work
out of Machoke and Machop

before we get that Sneasel.

- Right!

- Pika!

- Now, Phanpy, I choose you!

- Phanpy!
Phan!

- Houndoom, let's go!

- [growls]

- Machop!
- Machoke!

- Phanpy, use Take Down!

- Phan!

- Houndoom, Headbutt!

- [growls]

- Mah!

[both groaning]

- Snea-sneasel!
Snea!

- Machop!

- Phanpy!

- Houndoom!

[together]
Send 'em flying!

[all shouting]

[both yelling]

- These are the same
Machoke and Machop?

- Yup, and Sneasel's next!

- Sneasel!

- Now,
time for me to catch you!

- Hou-hou!

- Hold your Horsea!
- Huh?

- Keep your mitts
off our newest member!

- Look at that!

- A Sneasel-shaped balloon!

- Yes.

We decided Sneasel's
far more impressive.

- What?

Who are you guys?

- Prepare for trouble.

That Sneasel is ours.

- Make that double.

It'll triple our powers!

- To protect the world
from devastation!

- To unite all peoples
within our nation!

- To denounce the evils
of truth and love!

- To extend our reach
to the stars above!

- Jessie!

- James!

- Team Rocket blasts off
at the speed of light!

- Surrender now,

or prepare to fight,
fight, fight!

- Sneasel!
That's right!

Like I always say,

if you can't beat 'em,
join 'em!

- What?
That's not a Sneasel!

- Who says?

- Time to begin the
Sneasel's Best Friend Plan.

- Okay, Meowth--

I mean, Sneasel!

- Here goes nothin'.

My long-lost Sneasel buddy,

here is a present.

- Sneasel!

- [thinking]
Disguised as Sneasel,

Meowth will approach
pretending to be its friend.

And as soon as the smoke b*mb
hidden inside that present

goes off, that's when we
sneak under cover of smoke,

grab the green guy,
and get going.

- Oh, just one more thing...
- Snea?

- Those two characters
over there

are trying to Sneasel-nap you.

- Sneasel!

- They even tried the old
"smoke b*mb in the box" trick.

Can you believe that one?

- Snea!

- Might I suggest
a game of Hot Potato,

where you throw it
back in their faces,

surprising them
and giving us the last laugh?

- Snea!

- [wailing]

- Hey, I knew
that wasn't a Sneasel.

It's Meowth!

- How'd you figure
that one out?

- Togepi!

- [shrieking]

- Sneasel!

- I can't see!
- Pika!

- The smoke's so thick!

- Success!

- Finally!

- Sneasel?

- Where are you?

- Ha!
Got you by the tail feathers!

- Oh, no!

Sneasel's been captured!

[laughter]

- We're bursting with pride!

- 'Cause Sneasel's on our side!

- Meowth's out!

Scratched for the rest
of the season!

- And substituting will be
our most talented rookie yet!

- Our star Sneasel!

- Meowth!
That's right!

[together]
You're not Sneasel!

- Scratched for the season?

You scratch me,
and I'll scratch you!

- You're still here!

- Surprise!

- Surprise is right.

Here's another little surprise.

Say your good-byes!

- Agh!
- Meowth, that hurts!

- But I thought
we were friends!

- And as a friend, allow me
to thank you properly.

- You have scratched
your last scratch,

so bon voyage!

[air hissing]

[all screaming]

- You and those callous claws
of yours.

- Without your betrayal,
this never would have happened!

- Thanks.

Your advice is noted,
but it's a tidge too late.

- Wobbuffet!

[all shouting]

[together]
Looks like Team Rocket's

blasting off again!

- Wobbuffet!

ding!

- Snea!
Sneasel!

- Huh?

There's Sneasel!

- Pika?

- I thought Sneasel
had joined Team Rocket.

- Me too.
- Togi?

- Now, I've been waiting
long enough!

Blaziken, let's go!

- Blaziken!

[all gasp]

- Whoa!
Look at that!

- Pika-pika!

- No available data.

- No data?

- Wow.

I've never seen anything
like that before.

- Me either.

I'll bet this Pokémon

lives in the Hoenn Region!

- Sneasel!

- Blaziken, use Quick Attack!

- Blaze!

- Snea!

Snea!

Wah!

- Blaziken!
Flamethrower!

- Blaze!

- Snea!

- All right, finish it up
with Fire Punch!

- Blaziken!

- Sneasel!

Sneasel...snea...

- Good job!

Pokéball, go!

Yes!

I caught a Sneasel!

- Blaze!

- Nice work, Harrison!

- Thanks a lot, Ash.

- Ash, remember?

- Yeah, the Sacred Flame?

- Yeah!
- Pika!

[singing]
- I'm on a Master Quest

- Pokémon

- I'm on a Master Quest

- Pokémon

- The Sacred Flame!
- Ohh!

- It's beautiful!

- Not a moment too soon!

- Finally!

- Thanks to you all,
the Sacred Flame is safe,

and the torch is now ready!

- Yeah.
- Pika!

- Glad we could help!

- And look.

We've decided to hire
those two

to guard the shrine
permanently.

- Machop!
- Machoke!

- That's great.

I'm sure they'll do
just fine.

- It's perfect.

- Togepi!

- Come on!
- Yeah!

[cheers and applause]

- Go for it!

[laughter]

- Now the Silver Conference
can truly get under way!

- Oh!
- All right!

- It's really starting.

- This is so exciting!

- Hey, Ash, you're entering
the Conference, aren't you?

- Yup.

- Great. I am too.
- Huh?

- Looks like the next time
we meet,

it'll be over at
the Silver Conference Stadium.

- Wow, you guys.

Harrison and Blaziken

are sure gonna be
a tough team to beat!

- Yeah, but there's gonna be
lots of great trainers

and Pokémon there,
don't you think, Ash?

- Oh, yeah.

But I'm gonna go there

and beat 'em all,

- Pika-pika!

narrator: On the eve

of the Johto League
Silver Conference,

we find a confident
and exuberant Ash

just waiting for his chance
to compete,

but who will he
be competing against?

Stay tuned!

[singing]
- There's no time

To question my moves

I stick to the path
that I choose

Me and my friends
are gonna do it right

To be a Master is my dream

All I've got to do is believe

And I believe

I'm on a Master Quest

Master Quest

I want the whole world to see

And I believe

I'm gonna be the very best

'Cause all I've got to do

Is believe in me

- Pokémon