23x18 - Destination: Coronation!

[bunniefuu]

[theme music playing]

[narrator] Ash's goal is to battle one of the world's greatest Trainers, Leon.

Goh's goal is to catch one of every kind of Pokémon, including Mew!

This is the story of their adventure-filled journey

through the world of Pokémon!

Pika, pika!

[squawking]

Psy!

Psy?

More than ,? That's a lot of Trainers.

-Pika? -[giggles]

All right!

Well, that's the World Coronation Series for you!

It's really popular!

Great, right?

The more rivals you have, the more fired up you can get!

[chuckles]

Whoa! And more Trainers are entering after me, too!

Well, look at that.

Everyone starts competing in the Normal Class.

And beyond that are the Great Class, Ultra Class,

and Master Class!

[Cerise] The starting point is the same for everyone.

And a Trainer's momentum depends on how they do in their first match.

That first battle's important.

Right! Let's do this. What do you say?

Pika, pika!

What are you going to do?

[Ash] Well, if I wanna battle Leon again,

my first step is to reach the Great Class, right?

That means...

There's one thing to do.

-Win, win, and win! -Pika. Pikachu!

-Gengar! -Yeah? Are you into this, too?

Gengar.

I've heard that to boost your ranking all in one shot,

all you have to do is battle a Trainer who's already pretty high in the rankings.

That means battling a strong Trainer.

[Ash] I wonder if there are any Trainers nearby who've already entered.

-The toughest Trainer I can find! -[Goh] Always getting ahead of yourself.

Why not do some research? Try Vermilion City.

Yeah, good idea! Vermilion City, huh...

[rotom phone chimes]

-There! -Pika!

I'll choose this Trainer!

[Cerise] Ranked ?

Isn't that the acting Vermilion City Gym Leader?

Wait. I remember that guy.

-I think Lt. Surge was his name. -[Cerise] You're right, Ash.

But at the present time, he's away on a training journey

working to strengthen his Electric-type Pokémon.

-Wow, a training journey. -Pika?

But Visquez is running things while he's away.

You sure you want a tough opponent right off the bat?

Uh-huh! I'm totally psyched!

-Gengar! -Pika, pika!

[narrator] Our hero is taking on the World Coronation Series challenge

in order to battle Leon, and to become the strongest Trainer he can be!

♪ It's a big, big world But you know where to find me ♪

♪ We'll be together And we're gonna do it our way ♪

♪ We'll discover We believe in each other ♪

♪ On adventures With my friends, like, every day ♪

♪ And we're already on our way ♪

♪ The journey starts today ♪

♪ The journey starts today ♪

♪ The journey starts today ♪

[theme music playing]

-[Goh] "Destination..." -[Ash] "Coronation!"

Pika. Pikachu!

Hey, Ash, do you already have a Vermilion Gym badge?

Yup! We got it from Lt. Surge after we battled his Raichu!

Pikachu!

It was my third Gym badge ever.

[narrator] In this world, there are Pokémon Gyms in almost every area.

And waiting at these Gyms are Gym Leaders, experts in their fields.

Trainers challenge the Gyms through Pokémon battles

hoping to win a coveted Gym badge.

But in the World Coronation Series,

no matter what level of success a Gym Leader or a Trainer

has attained throughout their career,

they all start out competing against each other

as members of the Normal Class.

-Ra! -It's a Spearow!

I'm taking a detour! Sorry, Ash!

Raboot, let's...

Hey, come on! Wait for me!

[Goh groans]

Go and get 'em, Goh!

[tense music]

[Visquez] You two are strong! I'll grant you that.

But you lack a certain something that would allow you to overcome us.

What is that? Now tell me!

Uh... Um, I think...

It's heart! That beats the enemy within!

A Gym battle is something that both you and your Pokémon train hard for!

Proof of the strength you have developed while battling.

A strength you demonstrate to Gym Leaders!

And where is the proof you have defeated us?

It's the Gym badge!

However, I would like to show some respect for your strength.

So I will bury you with our strongest attack.

-Use Volt Tackle! -Rai!

Rai, rai, rai...

[grunts, groans]

Hypno is unable to battle!

Which means the winner is Visquez, the acting Gym Leader!

[scoffs]

Thank you for the battle.

Hmm! Now go and train some more.

-You've got a knack for battling! -Rai!

Very well done, acting Leader.

That makes the last challenger of the day.

I see.

You battled very well.

I can always count on you.

Rai! Rai, rai, rai...

[chuckles] You're still up for battling.

I'd like to see a Trainer really challenge me

for a World Coronation Series win.

Rai, rai.

Acting Gym Leader, your rank is .

And it hasn't budged.

[rotom phone beeping]

-Oh. What's this? -There's a Trainer close by

who's entering the World Coronation Series!

[banging on door]

[Ash] I challenge you!

Pikachu!

-[rotom phone chimes] -Aha!

-[door lock clanging] -Huh?

[rotom] A battle challenge has been issued.

By you. All right.

Do you wish to accept, or reject it?

You know I accept!

-I'm Ash Ketchum, from Pallet Town. -Huh?

I'd like to challenge you to a battle.

I accept your challenge.

[rotom] An official battle has been registered.

Now, about this Trainer...

I didn't think it would be Ash Ketchum.

Rai, rai.

I've wanted to meet you. You and Pikachu.

-[gasps] -Pika?

Lt. Surge spoke of you.

He described a young man and his Pikachu

who once brilliantly battled and defeated him and his partner Raichu.

He said the young team was Ash and Pikachu of Pallet Town.

Pikachu?

Rai... rai...

[Visquez] This Raichu is my compatriot who was personally trained by Lt. Surge.

Rai! [grunts]

-Ash! -Huh?

[pants] I'm glad I made it!

-[Ash] Goh? -[Tony] Who are you?

He's a friend of mine named Goh.

-He came here so he could cheer me on. -Hello.

And the Spearow?

-Hmm! -[chimes]

-Yeah! You did it! -[Goh] Sure did!

All right, this is my turn to win!

Visquez, this is my first battle

since I entered the World Coronation Series.

Oh? Then I consider it an honor to be part of this momentous battle.

Rai...

[rotom drone] Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!

You have been approved

for an official Pokémon World Coronation Series Normal Class battle!

The challengers today are Visquez from the Vermilion Gym

versus Ash from Pallet Town.

Thank you, drone rotom! Excellent work!

Whoa! Is that a drone rotom? I've never seen one before!

[drone] For today's battle, each of you can choose two Pokémon.

Now I shall explain the official rules.

Switching out Pokémon is permitted any time, by either side!

When both Pokémon from either side are unable to battle,

that side loses.

The opposing Trainer will then become the winner!

The World Coronation Series has acknowledged me as an official referee,

and as such, I will oversee the battle.

Hmm? Hey, what are those?

Will both challengers please bring out your Pokémon? Thank you!

Three, two, one... Go!

-Raichu! -Pikachu, I choose you!

Pika, pika!

Rai, rai!

[Pokédex] Raichu. The Mouse Pokémon.

An Electric type, and the evolved form of Pikachu.

As Raichu's body fills with electricity, its demeanor becomes more aggressive.

[Goh] You can do it, Pikachu.

Battle begin!

First, our standard greeting.

-Use Thunderbolt! -Ha!

Raichu!

Let's give 'em our Thunderbolt, too!

Pikachu!

-Ra? -Both Ash and Pikachu

are at full throttle!

-Use Volt Tackle! -Rai! Rai, rai, rai...

-And there goes that Volt Tackle! -They're not kidding around!

-Pikachu, use Iron Tail! -Chu!

Now dig in!

Pika!

[both groaning]

-What's that? -The strategy Lt. Surge praised!

[Steve] It's directing the Volt Tackle's electricity into the ground!

[Tony] Who knew Iron Tail could stand up to Raichu's Volt Tackle?

Hang on, Pikachu!

Run its electric power down into the ground!

[both groaning]

Ra!

-Rai, rai... -Pi...

Right, now show them our enormous power!

-Raichu! -[Pikachu gasps]

Pika!

Pikachu!

So it couldn't avoid being strong-armed?

-Grab it! -Rai! Rai...

-Pika? -[gasps]

It... can do that?

-[grunting] -[whimpering]

Pikachu, hang in there!

-Now, do it, Raichu! -Raichu!

-Pika! -Iron Tail!

Pikachu!

Chu...

[Pikachu screams]

-Rai? -Pika!

Quick, use Reflect!

-Raichu! -Pika!

Pi... [pants]

-Rai... -Pi...

Pi... [panting]

I should've expected that from him.

Raichu definitely would have taken a great deal of damage

had it not gotten Reflect up in time.

You can turn any tight spot into a good thing!

-That's how we learned to battle together! -Pika!

-Don't overdo it, buddy, okay? Return! -Pika?

-[sighs] -[Ash] You've been working really hard!

Pikachu!

Gengar!

I choose you!

[giggling] Gengar! Gengar!

[Ash] Who's that Pokémon?

-Pika? -Rai!

Pika, pika!

[Ash] I know you'll do great,

'cause I bet Raichu's tail can't touch you!

Geng!

We'll just see about that...

Rai, rai.

Gengar, huh? Now, what kind of battle is this gonna be?

[giggles] Gengar...

Gengar! Use Night Shade!

Gengar!

-Use Thunderbolt! -Raichu!

Gengar!

[Raichu groans]

All right, Ice Punch!

-[grunting] -[gasps]

Hey! What's that movement about?

Quick, Raichu, use your tail!

Rai! Rai...

-Gengar. -Now what?

-Geng! -[groans]

[both gasp]

Gengar's using its power to pass through walls!

-[groans] -Yeah, way to go!

That tail can't do a thing to you, Gengar!

-[laughs] -All right, Volt Tackle!

-Rai! Rai, rai, rai... -Use Psychic!

Geng...

Gengar!

Rai!

-Ar! -Rai...

-[Raichu screams] -Raichu, no!

Rai... rai...

Raichu is unable to battle!

They took out Raichu!

-You did it, Gengar! -Gengar!

[giggling]

-[laughing] -Pika, pika!

You can always count on Ash!

They had no idea what Gengar was gonna do!

Raichu, return.

Excellent job. I'll avenge you.

I happen to have a plan that'll stop those cute moves!

Go, our squad's greatest secret weapon!

Electrode!

Electrode! All right!

-[grunts] -[chimes]

[Pokédex] Electrode. The Ball Pokémon. An Electric type.

Electrode reacts to stimulation with expl*sive power.

Feared far and wide, it's known as "The b*mb Ball."

[Goh's voice] Those round dents...

[gasps]

Magnet Rise!

Electrode...

-Geng? -Pika?

-[gasps] -Yes, you'll see.

Our Magnet Rise will wrap this one up for sure!

What's going on?

We're an Electric-type Gym,

so a lot of challengers come at us with Ground-type moves!

To deal with that,

we've trained Electrode to use Magnet Rise!

Controlling the b*ttlefield, Electrode truly has no equal!

[groaning] Geng...

Begin your attack!

Electrode! Elec... elec... elec...

Elec... Electrode! Electrode! Electrode! Trode!

[grunting]

You've gotta pay attention to how Electrode moves!

-[grunting] -[groaning]

-Electrode! -Geng!

-Electrode! -[grunting]

Those dents in the walls!

They were formed by Electrode using Magnet Rise!

Perfect!

Gengar can never escape the trap Electrode set using Magnet Rise!

-Electrode! Electrode -[groaning]

-Heads up! -Geng!

-Electrode! -Geng!

Electrode! Electrode!

-Quick! Use Psychic! -Gengar!

-Huh? -Gengar!

[groaning]

-Gengar, use Night Shade! -Gengar!

-Discharge! -Electro...

[grunting]

-[grunts] -[groans]

Gengar!

[groans]

[drone] Gengar is unable to battle!

You deserve a good rest!

Pika!

It's all you now.

-Pika. Pikachu! -Electrode!

We're down to one-on-one.

Let's wrap it up! Electrode, Rollout!

Ele-le-le-le-le...

Pikachu, keep your eyes on what it's doing!

Pika!

-[Electrode blabbering] -Pi... Pika!

Pika!

-[Electrode blabbering] -Pi... Pika! Pikachu!

-Pi! Pika! -Ra... Raboot!

Ash, you'd better do something quick!

Or Pikachu's gonna lose!

The faster my Electrode rolls, the more damage it gives out,

and it can give out a lot!

-Electrode! -How long can Pikachu take that?

Pika!

So that's it. Now, get up on Electrode and use Iron Tail!

Pikachu!

[panting] Pikachu....

-[gasps] -Pika!

Trode...

-It just stopped! -Good work, Pikachu!

-Send it back the other way! -Pika, pika, pika!

Pikachu. Pikachu. Pikachu.

How is that possible?

Ash is good at the unexpected.

Ele-le-le-lectrode!

No! It's forcing Electrode's movements!

Talk about insulting.

Wrap it up using Iron Tail!

-Pika! -[grunts]

Chu... aah!

-[Pikachu screams] -[Electrode groans]

[grunts] Trode....

-What now? -Aftermath?

-[gasps] -[Visquez] Electrode, wait!

Use Electroweb!

Pika, pika, pika!

[expl*si*n]

[sighs] What just happened?

[gasps]

Pi... pika!

You were awesome, Pikachu!

Electrode...

[drone] Electrode is unable to battle. Pikachu wins!

Which means the victory goes to Ash from Pallet Town!

Oh, yeah, all right!

-Yeah! -Pika, pika!

You really gave it everything you could.

That Aftermath was proof of just how hard you pushed yourself.

-Elec... trode. -Hmm.

[sighs] Raboot.

-I admit defeat. -[chuckles]

Visquez? Thanks.

I'll report this to Lt. Surge.

I'm sure the Lieutenant will want another match

since you've gotten stronger.

And I'd love another match with him!

Lt. Surge is awesome!

As a result of today's battle...

there has been a change in the World Coronation Series rankings

effective immediately!

-Pika? -[Ash] Man, that was quick!

-[Goh] Hey, Ash! -[Ash] Goh!

-Congratulations! -Thanks a lot!

[grunts]

-Pika, pika? -[grunts] Raboot!

You kept surprising me with strategies I could never dream up, Ash!

You had me on the edge of my seat!

[laughs] Oh, Pikachu and Gengar did it all!

-[rotom phone chimes] -Huh?

Wow! My ranking's gone way up!

Pika?

Hey, cool!

Since Visquez was already high in the rankings,

it sent you way up in one shot!

Raboot, ra...

No! What'll I tell Surge?

[both] Courage, Visquez!

[narrator] Ash's first battle in the World Coronation Series is a win!

But the road to a showdown with Leon has just begun,

as the journey continues!

[theme music playing]