07x32 - The Bicker the Better

[bunniefuu]

NARRATOR A beautiful, sunny morning makes for a perfect start

as our heroes continue their journey towards Fortree City

and Ash's next Gym battle.

Oh, wow. What an awesome day.

Hey, Max, think you can find a shortcut to Fortree City?

Probably.

Well, looks like this path right here

'going through the forest would be the quickest way.'

Alright then, let's go.

- Yeah! - Yeah!

[CONCERNED]

Hey, what's the matter, Pikachu?

Uh. Guys. We can't forget May.

[gasping]

[humming]

There. All finished.

May? What are you doing?

- Huh? - You are so slow!

Fortree City's waitin' for us.

Hey. Oh.

Good. Okay, I'm ready to go now.

[growls]

Come on, what are you doing?

Hey, when there's a mirror around

you need to stop and look.

- I don't. - What?

You never check your clothes or your hair?

- No way. - Unbelievable.

Excuse me, I'm not a girl, May.

Hmm, you're so yesterday.

Men also happen to have some fashion sense these days.

Fine! I'll think about it! Can we get going now?

♪ Pokémon ♪

♪ Every Trainer has a choice ♪

♪ To listen to that voice inside ♪

♪ I know the battle may be long ♪

♪ Winners may have come and gone ♪

♪ I will carry on ♪

♪ Yeah this dream will last forever ♪

♪ And this dream will never die ♪

♪ We will rise to meet the challenge every time ♪

♪ Advanced Challenge ♪

♪ Yeah this dream keeps us together ♪

♪ This shows that you and I ♪

♪ Will be the best that the world's ever seen ♪

♪ Cause we always will follow this dream ♪

♪ Pokémon ♪♪

ASH "The Bicker the Better."

Incredible, raising your voice to a girl

just 'cause she's looking in the mirror.

Talk about nerve, standing around gazing at yourself

while your friends are all waiting.

- What did you say? - You heard me.

Wanna know what your problem is?

I already know.

Brock, is it only me or have they been fighting all day?

All day.

I wish they could just bring it to a close already.

BROCK No kidding.

I can't stand you, Ash Ketchum.

Gee, I'm heartbroken.

- 'Excuse us you two lovebirds.' - 'Excuse us you two lovebirds.'

- Huh? - Huh?

Oscar is the name.

I'm Andi and love is the game.

Check out those guys. What's up with them?

Hello, gorgeous.

Seeing how much in love you two appear to be.

We thought, we'd offer you a challenge.

- Us? In love? - Us? In love?

- Hah! That's a laugh. - Har-dee har har.

Mm-mm-hmm, that's what young lovebirds always say.

And fighting's the first sign of love.

It's pretty obvious that you two are

in the middle of a fight, right?

That means..

- You two are in love. - You two are in love.

- I don't think so. - I don't think so.

- Told you. You answer together. - Told you. You answer together.

- Uhh...hmph. - Uhh...hmph.

- Shall we? - Yes, it's a good time.

OSCAR/ANDI Now, we challenge you to a battle.

- Huh? - Huh?

Yeah, you mean a Pokémon battle?

Yes. But not just any old Pokémon battle.

A battle that tests the true love of any couple.

It's a..

- Pokémon Tag Battle. - Pokémon Tag Battle.

Yeah, that sounds pretty cool. A Pokémon Tag Battle.

Good practice for my next Gym battle.

May. You want to do it?

Uh, I guess so..

I don't know about any of that test your love stuff

but why not? I've got a contest coming up as well.

We will now explain to you the Tag Battle rules.

They are very simple, as each trainer

uses just one Pokémon with no substitutes.

And so, just as you would have to in love

you must rely on your partner and work together.

Finally, whichever couple ultimately renders

each of their opponents' Pokémon unable to Battle, wins.

- My name's Brock. - Huh?

You've explained those rules perfectly.

I'm a young heartthrob and humble breeder.

And I would be more than happy

to serve as the judge to this battle.

- Young heartthrob, you say? - Yes, that's me,

I would do anything

for the love of a beautiful woman.

Feel the flame of a Flamethrower.

Stand up to a Hydro Pump's pump.

How about I try pumping some sense into you?

So, let's put our love to the test.

And may the couple with the strongest bonds of love win.

With the love you and I share we're always winners.

- Oscar. - My dear Andi.

BROCK This Pokémon Tag Battle with the team of Andi and Oscar

challenging the team of Ash and May will now begin.

Go, Nidoking. Come on out.

[APPEARING]

[AFFIRMATIVE]

Wow. It's a Nidoking.

POKEDEX Nidoking, the Drill Pokémon.

Nidoking swings its large tail about to create distance

then charges in with the full force of its body behind it.

I choose you, Nidoqueen.

[APPEARING]

[AFFIRMATIVE]

How cool is this?

POKEDEX Nidoqueen, the Drill Pokémon.

Nidoqueen has thick skin covering its entire body

protecting it from whatever techniques are used against it.

[EXERTION]

Whoa. A Nidoqueen and Nidoking together. How awesome!

Okay, I know they're both part Ground types.

Go, Corphish.

[APPEARING]/[AFFIRMATIVE]

Your turn, May.

Hmm, I could use Torchic

but still, I could use Beautifly as well.

But Skitty's good in battle too..

Come on. Sometime today please?

I'd like to make the right choice

if you don't mind.

Oh, boy, here they go again.

[AGREEMENT]

I'm ready now.

Go, Skitty.

[APPEARING]/[AFFIRMATIVE]

Okay.

We'll see if you made the right choices.

Yeah, you'll see alright.

Corphish. Use Bubble Beam.

Skitty, use Assist now.

Assist? Already?

[BUBBLE BEAM MOVE]

[ASSIST MOVE]

Whoa. That's Ember.

[SURPRISED]

CORPHISH [ANNOYED]

CORPHISH [PAINED]

SKITTY [INDIFFERENT]

Just what kind of move was that?

Look, bub. It's your Corphish that's getting' in the way.

Nidoking.

Dear Nidoqueen.

OSCAR/ANDI Show us the love with your Dynamic Punch.

NIDOKING/NIDOQUEEN [DYNAMIC PUNCH MOVE]

SKITTY/CORPHISH [PAINED]

Use Bubble Beam again, Corphish.

Skitty. Use Blizzard.

CORPHISH [BUBBLE BEAM MOVE]

SKITTY [BLIZZARD MOVE]

ASH/MAY [GASP]

[all gasping]

Well, there's a move that's not been seen before.

Quick, Skitty, Assist. Let's go.

Melt all of that ice.

[ASSIST MOVE]

[groaning]

No. That's not what I wanted.

I didn't want String Shot, I wanted Torchic's Ember.

Save it, May. You can't get mad.

Not even Skitty knows which attack

is gonna come out with Assist.

[AGREEMENT]

[ASSIST MOVE]

It's gorgeous.

They're so sure we're going to win

they've presented us with an ice sculpture.

Uh..

Skitty. Use Assist once more.

[ASSIST MOVE]

[PAINED]

[ANGRY]

CORPHISH/SKITTY [FURIOUS]/[SCARED]

Ash, do something. Could you stop Corphish?

Skitty's it's partner, you know?

Well, I'm not the one

who decided to freeze dry their partner.

Your Corphish jumped in front of my Blizzard attack.

Did not.

Oh, dear it seems those two have a long way to go

before their love even comes close to ours.

You're right. There's no point in continuing this.

I'm with you, my darling.

Off we go then.

- Nidoking. - Nidoqueen.

OSCAR/ANDI Show us the love with your Submission attacks.

NIDOKING/NIDOQUEEN [SUBMISSION MOVE]

Wow, I've never seen Submission used like that as a Combination.

[AGREEMENT]

Corphish, dodge it now.

Quick, Skitty, run.

CORPHISH/SKITTY [FURIOUS]/[SCARED]

NIDOKING/NIDOQUEEN [SUBMISSION MOVE]

SKITTY/CORPHISH [PAINED]

SKITTY/CORPHISH [STUNNED]

- No, Corphish. - Skitty.

Corphish and Skitty are unable to battle.

Therefore Oscar and Andi get the Tag Battle win.

- Oscar. - Andi.

The power of our eternal love endures.

Yes. We are strong while their team is weak.

- Farewell, happy couple. - Farewell, happy couple.

- We must be on our way. - We must be on our way.

- We're not a couple. - We're not a couple.

- And we're not happy either. - And we're not happy either.

So sad.

- Hmm? - Hmm?

I'm talking about us.

We haven't done anything typically Team Rocket lately.

Yeah, depressing as that is, you have a very good point.

That's for sure, we're batting zero at everything

from catching Pikachu to getting hold of presents for the Boss.

Oh, no. You know what?

We're always singing about being filthy, stinking rich.

One more strike

not only won't we be rich, we'll just be left stinking.

We don't want that, do we?

- The truth cuts. - Like a knife.

ANDI Excuse me, seemingly happy couple.

TEAM ROCKET Huh?

Because you two appear to be in love

we're challenging you to a Tag Battle.

Huh, who are you calling a couple?

And which one of the three of us did you ignore?

These losers could be a gold mine.

- Huh? - Huh?

Take a look at their two Pokémon.

Think of what Nidoking and Nidoqueen are worth.

- A fortune? - At least.

And if they turn into the Boss' gifts..

TEAM ROCKET Take away the filthy stink.

Leave us with the rich....

- So. - Hit us with your best attack.

Now, Cacnea. Use Needle Arm.

[NEEDLE ARM MOVE]

Seviper, use Wrap now.

[WRAP MOVE]

- Nidoking. - Nidoqueen.

OSCAR/ANDI Show us the love with your powerful Dynamic Punch.

NIDOKING/NIDOQUEEN [DYNAMIC PUNCH MOVE]

CACNEA [PAINED]

SEVIPER/CACNEA [WRAP MOVE]/[PAINED]

CACNEA/SEVIPER [STRUGGLING]

Why can't you keep your Cacnea on a tighter leash?

Your insane Seviper got in the way.

Oh, yeah?

Well, your Cacnea's Needle Arms

are completely c*ck.

You should've wrapped that Wrap attack long ago.

Stop your rattling and get to battling.

OSCAR/ANDI Share the love with a heavenly Hyper Beam.

NIDOKING/NIDOQUEEN [HYPER BEAM MOVE]

[Team Rocket gasping]

[screaming]

TEAM ROCKET We're blasting off again.

Once again, love triumphs over all.

Truly. As it will over and over again.

- Oscar. - Dear Andi.

That was the worst battle ever.

Yeah, you were pretty pathetic, alright.

Excuse me? You're the one who lost it for us.

- You got something to say? - I just did.

Oh, yeah?

Hey, Brock? Am I just having déja vu?

This sounds familiar.

[AGREEMENT]

Let me explain something.

Believe it or not, this sort of turmoil

has been going on between a man and a woman

since the beginning of time.

Woah.

You just had to stick your Cacnea's nose

where it wasn't needed.

I wouldn't talk if I were you.

If your Seviper hadn't tried to save the world

Cacnea and I could've won back there.

Let's talk about saving the world.

Seviper and I had our hands full

just trying to keep you and your Cacnea from getting blown away.

Gee, thanks anyway

but we all blasted off just like always.

Have you ever considered that perhaps

our blasting off expertise

comes from your side of the family?

- Take that back. - I'm just getting warmed up.

Incompetent, blue-haired big mouth.

Oh, yeah? Well, at least I'm not ugly.

Now that's crossing the line, buster.

Yep, I knew that one would do the trick.

Ah, yes.

♪ Ugly ugly ugly Jessie is so ugly ♪

♪ Ugly ugly ugly ugly ugly.. ♪ ♪ Blah blah blah blah.. ♪♪

And Pokémon actually take orders from these clowns?

He is such a typical arrogant guy.

Thinks he's so smart? Well, wake up.

I'll never forget that dumb Blizzard attack

for as long as I live.

That no-talent woebegone has been dragging me down.

Heh, if it wasn't for my sterling loyalty

I would've gone solo years ago.

Men. They always try and project their insecurity onto girls.

Me, insecure?

Why don't you try looking in that mirror

you seem to love so much?

You know, I can only imagine

how famous I'd be if I'd struck out on my own.

If you'd struck out on your own

it would've been one strike, you're out.

Oh, you think so, do you?

Who do you think it was that made a name for this team?

Oh, that's right, I suppose you thought it was you.

It was me.

JESSIE/JAMES [growling]

Ugh, you're impossible.

You make me so mad sometimes I just wanna scream.

Yeah? So, knock yourself out.

No, it's not even worth my breath.

Please.

- I can't tell you.. - I can't tell you..

- How much I hate men. - How much I hate women.

MAY/ASH Me too.

JESSIE/JAMES What? You too?

MAY/ASH Team Rocket?

MAY/ASH/JESSIE/JAMES Huh?

- Hmph. - Hmm.

- Twerp, come with me. - Why?

Oh, just this one time.

Together us girls will beat the pants off of them.

I want you to consider this.

An opportunity to put those women in their place.

Yeah?

Us girls are so looking forward to watching you lose.

JAMES Yeah? Well don't hold your breath.

'Cause that isn't happening.

MAY/ASH Hold on a minute.

What's your pleasure?

A Pokémon Tag Battle.

MAY/ASH Huh?

Oh, no, not again.

Must be some crazy new trend.

PIKACHU [AGREEMENT]

Save us.

BROCK The Pokémon Tag Battle between the team of Ash and James

and the team of May and Jessie will now begin.

I hope you're ready.

With our combined feminine prowess

they'll be toast in no time flat.

Uh..

Well, yeah, I suppose I wouldn't mind

knocking Ash down a peg or two.

Let's blow those whining women

back to the Dark Ages right where they belong.

- Hmm, yeah, okay. - Hmm.

Begin.

Seviper. Use Poison Tail on Corphish.

Use Blizzard on Cacnea, Skitty.

Now, Cacnea. Pin m*ssile on Skitty.

Corphish. Use Harden now.

SEVIPER [POISON TAIL MOVE]

CORPHISH [HARDEN MOVE]

SEVIPER [POISON TAIL MOVE]

CORPHISH [HARDEN MOVE]

SKITTY [BLIZZARD MOVE]

CACNEA [PIN m*ssile MOVE]

SKITTY [PAINED]

CACNEA [PAINED]

Seviper, use Wrap attack on Cacnea.

Skitty, use Assist on Corphish.

Cacnea, Needle Arm, go!

Corphish. Use Bubble Beam.

SEVIPER [WRAP MOVE]

CACNEA [NEEDLE ARM MOVE]

SEVIPER [PAINED]

That's the way! Cacnea rules.

Oh, no, no, no.

[ASSIST MOVE]

[BUBBLE BEAM MOVE]

[PAINED]

Too bad. Guess, you need some work on that Assist.

Darn it.

Seviper, go and Bite Corphish.

Corphish. Dodge and use Crabhammer.

Now, Skitty. Double Slap attack.

Quick, Cacnea. Pin m*ssile.

[BITE MOVE]

CORPHISH [EXERTION]

[CRABHAMMER MOVE]

Ugh, I hate men.

[DOUBLE SLAP MOVE]

[PIN m*ssile MOVE]

[PAINED]

Playtime's over.

Dustox, use Whirlwind. Go!

[APPEARING]

[AFFIRMATIVE]

No, wait!

[WHIRLWIND MOVE]

CORPHISH/CACNEA [PAINED]

Hey. That's against the rules.

You're not allowed to use two Pokémon.

Bah. Leave it to a man to care about rules.

Alright, it's not a Tag Battle. So, what is it?

[AFFIRMATIVE]

Ugh, Wobbuffet. Don't do that.

Dustox, use Pin m*ssile on Cacnea.

Seviper, use Poison Tail.

DUSTOX/CACNEA [PIN m*ssile MOVE]/[PAINED]

SEVIPER/CORPHISH [POISON TAIL MOVE]/[PAINED]

Cacnea, Pin m*ssile, let's go.

Dustox, use Whirlwind now.

[PIN m*ssile MOVE]

[WHIRLWIND MOVE]

JAMES/ASH/MAY Ah!

Stop it, Jessie.

CORPHISH/SEVIPER [PAINED]/[WRAP MOVE]

[BUBBLE BEAM MOVE]

[PAINED]

Sorry, Skitty.

[PAINED]

[BLIZZARD MOVE]

Huh.

Well, well, you've finally chilled out.

[ASSIST MOVE]

Whoa!

[grunting]

DUSTOX [EXERTION]

[BUBBLE BEAM MOVE]

[BLIZZARD MOVE]

[PIN m*ssile MOVE]

Hey, wait. Knock it off, you guys.

This isn't really what I had in mind.

I call it. Battle over.

The rules clearly state that no Trainer

can use more than one Pokémon in any battle.

I declare Jessie and May are therefore disqualified.

[AFFIRMATIVE]

Disqualify this. Dustox, Whirlwind now.

[WHIRLWIND MOVE]

Aah.

[gasping]

[groaning]

I don't think I like the looks of this.

[AGREEMENT]

This stinks, if Jessie and James keep fighting

I might as well kiss our Team Rocket Hoenn base good bye.

[thinking] Pikachu's right here

within paw's reach.

If I can do a little catching

while everyone's fighting

not only will we get that Base but maybe a promotion, too.

Hey!

JESSIE How many times have I saved your backside?

My back side is peachy keen, thank you.

But since you felt like you had to bring that up..

Oh, what? If you've got something to say, say it.

The truth might be hazardous to my health.

[thinking] Would you please look at me.

Tell me what you were gonna say, right now.

- What's Meowth doing? - Huh?

JAMES 'If we want to catch Pikachu..'

JESSIE 'Then now's our chance.'

- Got it. Chance taken. - Got it. Chance taken.

Go, Cacnea. Use Sandstorm.

[SANDSTORM MOVE]

Seviper, Haze attack.

[HAZE MOVE]

- Now, Meowth. - Aye, aye.

MAY/ASH/BROCK [coughing]

I can't see a thing.

[AGREEMENT]

MEOWTH 'Gotcha.'

Pikachu?

TEAM ROCKET We're going out in a haze of glory.

[SCARED]

You're asking for trouble.

Prepare for trouble, we're reuniting.

Make it double, we're through with fighting.

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. - With James.

Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light.

Surrender now or prepare to fight, fight fight.

Meowth, that's right.

WOBBUFFET/CACNEA/SEVIPER/DUSTOX [AGREEMENT]

Now you see us.

TEAM ROCKET Now you don't.

I don't think so. Pikachu, use Thunder.

[THUNDER MOVE]/[SURPRISED]

Please. Don't you know by now that we're electricity proof?

- Come back. - Skitty, use Assist.

[ASSIST MOVE]

[Team Rocket gasping]

MEOWTH Ow.

Wow. Thanks a lot, May.

Sure. Anytime.

Ugh, Seviper, Poison Tail now.

[POISON TAIL MOVE]

[FEARFUL]

Corphish. Use Bubble Beam.

[BUBBLE BEAM MOVE]

[PAINED]

That's showing 'em, Corphish.

- Hey, Ash, thank you. - You got it, May.

- Are you ready to go? - You bet.

- It's you and I again, James. - Cacnea, Pin m*ssile.

[PIN m*ssile MOVE]

[SCARED]

Quick, Corphish. Use Harden to protect Skitty now.

[HARDEN MOVE]

Skitty, Double Slap attack, go!

[DOUBLE SLAP MOVE]

SEVIPER/CACNEA/DUSTOX [PAINED]

Awesome. Now that's showing some teamwork.

Looks like the battle between the sexes is over.

[Team Rocket screaming]

PIKACHU [EXERTION]/[HAPPY]

TEAM ROCKET Come back.

Skitty, Blizzard.

[BLIZZARD MOVE]

[gasping]

Hey, Ash. Let's finish this up.

- Love to. - Skitty, Tackle, now.

Corphish, Crabhammer.

CORPHISH/SKITTY [CRABHAMMER MOVE]/[TACKLE MOVE]

TEAM ROCKET We're blasting off again.

WOBBUFFET [AGREEMENT]

[HAPPY]

Pikachu! Come here, buddy.

[HAPPY]

- Is it okay, Ash? - Yeah, thanks.

You know, you were great out there, May.

What do you know, you finally realized.

I know. I should've trusted you and Skitty before.

That Tag Battle with Oscar and Andi

would have gone a whole lot better.

I guess I was just acting like a big old dumb show-off.

I'm sorry.

You know, I was doing the exact same thing you were.

I was thinking about myself, instead of us as a team.

Friends again?

Look, Brock. Those two are actually making up.

Finally.

[HAPPY]

NARRATOR With the new experience of Tag Battling

under their belts, the bonds of friendship and trust

between Ash and May have strengthened.

Another important step on their continued journey.

♪ I will carry on ♪

♪ Yeah this dream will last forever ♪

♪ And this dream will never die ♪

♪ We will rise to meet the challenge every time ♪

♪ Advanced Challenge ♪

♪ Yeah this dream keeps us together ♪

♪ This shows that you and I ♪

♪ Will be the best that the world's ever seen ♪

♪ Cause we always will follow this dream ♪

♪ Pokémon ♪♪