23x34 - Solitary and Menacing!

[bunniefuu]

[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!

-Raboot! -Pika! Pika!

[narrator] Ash is presently ranked in the Pokémon World Coronation Series!

So far, our hero has been undefeated!

Now, Ash's search for his next battle challenge has brought him to Saffron City.

Hit!

[screams]

-Hit! -Riolu!

Riolu!

[both grunt]

Monlee!

Riolu!

Hit!

[trainer] Hmm… Good movements.

I know, right? It feels like we're on a roll and we're gonna win everything!

Pikachu.

Remember, you're in the Fighting Dojo. I wouldn't talk too big.

There isn't a strategy in the world that can beat our Karate Master.

Can I battle the Karate Master?

He's battling right now. In fact, he just accepted a new challenger.

Aww…

But their battle should be over soon.

The Karate Master is unbeatable.

Hit! Chan! Hit!

[grunting]

[Ash] Hey, Goh! Let's go watch the battle!

[Pikachu] Pika!

[trainer] Still can't decide?

-Hit! Chan! -Hit! Chan!

[Goh] Hmm…

-Hey, Goh! -Huh? Hey, Ash.

Can't decide between Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan, right?

Hmm…

[Goh] Do I go for Hitmonchan with its razor-sharp punches…

…or Hitmonlee with its incredibly powerful kicks?

Do I really have to decide on only one?

Yes! That's the rule, Goh.

The Fighting Dojo can give you either a Hitmonlee or a Hitmonchan,

but we can't give you both. You must choose one.

I know, Ash! Let's each choose one, and afterward,

you can trade yours for one of my other Pokémon!

[gasps]

There is a Pokémon World Coronation Series Trainer nearby.

[Pikachu] Huh?

So, that would have to be…

…the challenger battling the Master.

-Huh? I wanna see. -Hmm?

♪ 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 ♪

♪ Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh ♪

♪ The journey starts today ♪

♪ Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh ♪

♪ The journey starts today ♪

[Goh] "Solitary…"

[Ash] "…and Menacing!"

[Ash panting]

Here we go!

-Pika! -Rio!

I challenge… [groans]

-Pika. -Ash, are you all right?

[gasps] Hitmonchan?

Raboot!

[grunting]

[whimpers]

[Karate Master scoffs]

I guess that ends it.

All right, referee, result?

Uh, right!

The win goes to Grapploct!

Which means the victor is Bea!

[gasps]

Are you all right, Hitmonchan?

-Rio. -Pika.

[panting] Hitmonchan!

-[groaning] -Hitmonchan, you battled very well.

Now, return.

Our Karate Master was barely able to land a single attack.

That Grapploct's scary.

But its Trainer didn't give the Master a single opening. What a perfect showing.

A Grapploct?

-Rio. -Pika.

[Bea] Grapploct, return.

It was a good battle.

I thank you.

[rotom phone ringing]

Is that from the World Coronation Series?

[both] A battle challenge has been issued.

You're registered with the World Coronation Series, right?

[Bea's rotom phone] Do you wish to accept, or reject it?

My name is Ash Ketchum,

and I'm challenging the Pokémon World Coronation Series, too.

Will you battle me?

I accept your challenge.

Really? All right!

-Pika! -Riolu!

[both] An official battle has been registered.

All right, my name's Bea. I come from the Galar region.

-Galar? -[gasps]

[Bea] Will you allow us to battle here?

Of course. I don't mind at all.

And your name? You said it's Ash?

I am the master of this Fighting Dojo.

People call me the Karate Master.

Feel free to use this dojo as long as you want.

Wow, thank you so much, Karate Master!

Are you here for a battle, too?

I heard if I came, I'd be able to receive either a Hitmonchan or a Hitmonlee, right?

Mm-hm. You are correct.

But that will happen only after you have defeated me in a battle.

I've gotta battle you first?

That's correct. But first we observe the battle between Ash and Bea.

Living alongside Pokémon… Battling together with Pokémon…

That is what we strive for. Always.

[both] Hmm…

[Karate Master] Bea is a Gym Leader from the Galar region.

Gym Leader, huh…

[Karate Master] Yes, and because her Gym specializes in Fighting-type Pokémon…

[grunts]

…that means she's an expert! The inheritor of Galar karate's hundred-year history.

In addition, she is traveling the world, visiting every dojo…

Challenging them and building up both her Pokémon and herself,

seeking to reach perfection.

She's ranked higher than you are.

She's .

Hmm.

I'm in the Great Class, too. I rank .

So far, we've won every battle we've been in.

And Riolu's been trying especially hard!

-Riolu. -Pikachu.

Hmm.

I sense an overflow of fighting spirit.

You've raised your Pokémon well.

Yeah? You can tell? A Master would, right?

Hey, Ash, wouldn't it be better to not get carried away with yourself?

Don't forget she's ranked higher than you!

You worry too much! We beat Korrina a while back,

and she's a Fighting-type Gym Leader too, right?

Korrina?

Do you know Korrina, too?

Yes, we battled previously.

She was overconfident. I defeated her.

[gasps]

Whaddaya mean, overconfident?

-Rio. -Pika.

[Bea] There is no need for further discussion.

[groaning]

[Bea] Why are you here?

[Ash] I want to get stronger, along with my Pokémon!

If I keep raising my rank, I'll be able to battle Leon!

I see… Leon?

Every Trainer's biggest dream is to be able to defeat Leon.

I wish to defeat him, too, and be recognized as the greatest in the world.

That's why I'm competing.

Well, I'm gonna be the best!

We're going to be the ones who beat Leon!

Then let's give it all we've got!

[Goh] Don't get ahead of yourself! You'll win if you let Ash be Ash!

Yeah! You just leave that to me!

Pikachu, Riolu, let's do this!

Pika!

Rio!

You have been approved for an official

Pokémon World Coronation Series Great Class battle!

The two competitors today are Gym Leader Bea and Ash Ketchum!

Each of you is allowed to use two Pokémon!

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

Three… Two… One… Go!

-Now…Hawlucha, let's go! -Now…Farfetch'd, let's go!

Hawlucha! Lucha!

Farfetch'd!

Rotom? Who's that Pokémon?

[Goh's rotom phone] Hawlucha. The Wrestling Pokémon.

A Fighting and Flying-type. Using its wings, Hawlucha can control

its position in the air. It overpowers opponents with lightning-fast moves.

Hawlucha, huh?

Be careful when Hawlucha's in midair all right!

Far!

Battle begin!

Hone Claws, let's go!

Lucha!

Now, Farfetch'd, use Night Slash!

Farfetch'd!

[Ash] "Who's that Pokémon?"

Pika!

Riolu!

Pika! Pika!

Farfetch'd!

[grunting]

-Hawlucha! -[grunts]

-[gasps] -Such balance!

Use Karate Chop!

Haw! Cha!

[screams]

Farfetch'd, no!

[groans]

[grunting]

Flying Press, let's go!

-Hawlucha! -Farfetch'd, get your leek!

-[gasps] -Haw! Cha!

Farfetch'd.

-All right! -Good going, Farfetch'd!

Hiya!

Cha!

Now, attack using Brutal Swing!

Farfetch'd!

Keep it spinning!

Let's finish this. Flying Press, let's go!

Haw! [grunts]

Hawlucha!

[groaning]

-Look up! -[gasps]

[screams]

[all gasp]

Haw!

Hawlucha!

[grunting]

[drone rotom] Farfetch'd is unable to battle!

Pi…

No way…

[Ash] Farfetch'd, return!

Thanks, Farfetch'd. You battled really hard.

Pika.

That won't happen again!

It looks like Ash has allowed the Gym Leader to get inside his head.

-[gasps] -What's up next?

Grapploct…

Let's go!

Grapploct.

-There it is… -Pika.

[Ash's rotom phone] Grapploct. The Jujitsu Pokémon. A Fighting-type.

Grapploct's entire body is made of overlapping muscles.

Its tentacles have terrifying power for squeezing attacks.

Isn't that the Pokémon you were battling against when we first came in?

Yes.

Neither my Hitmonlee nor Hitmonchan stood a fighting chance against its strength.

Pikachu…

[gasps]

Riolu? You wanna jump in there?

[groans]

All right, Riolu. I choose you!

Rio!

-[Ash] Pikachu, let's cheer for Riolu. -Pika.

My second Pokémon's Riolu!

Grapplo. Grapplo.

Battle restart!

Vacuum Wave!

Rio! Lu! Lu! Lu!

Use Detect! Now!

Grapploct.

[grunting]

[both grunting]

-Grapploct! -[gasps]

Rio!

Close Combat!

Gra-plah-plah-loct!

Double Team!

[all] Rio!

Gra! Gra-plah-loct. Grapploct!

Grapploct!

Use Liquidation!

Grapploct! Grapploct! Grapploct! Grapploct! Grapploct! Grapploct!

Riolu, keep it away!

[grunting]

Riolu! [groans]

That attack was what defeated both my Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan.

[groans]

Grapploct!

Boot…

Riolu, you okay?

Pika!

Yes!

I can't tell where it's going next!

What'll I do?

Rio.

Grapploct.

[gasps]

We'd better wrap this thing up. It's now or never!

Charge in with Force Palm!

Olu!

Ri…

-Grappling's a bad move! -[both gasp]

Gra… Grapploct!

-Heads up, Riolu! -Rio!

[grunting]

Rio… Rio…

Gra-plah-plah-loct.

How do I get out of this?

Riolu can't get close with all those tentacles!

[panting]

This isn't looking good for Ash.

That attack was just what Grapploct wanted.

All right. Let's do it this way, Riolu!

Use Force Palm, and aim it right at the floor!

Rio… olu!

What's this?

It's Ash, thinking outside the box.

Gra-plah-plah-loct.

Gra-plah-plah-loct… Grapploct.

Grapploct… Grapploct! Grapploct!

Riolu, use Force Palm again!

Riolu!

[Ash grunts]

Grapploct.

-Riolu! -Octolock!

Grapploct.

Riolu! Riolu!

-Rio… -[groans]

-That's Octolock? -Pika!

Ash's strategy didn't work.

Riolu! Riolu! Rio… Riolu!

[Goh] That's a pinning move, right?

It's fallen into the trap.

[grunting]

Riolu! Ya gotta hang on!

Get out of there! Use Vacuum Wave!

[groaning]

Pity. You make lots of useless moves.

[groans]

-Riolu! Riolu… -Pikachu!

[gasps]

Riolu, you've gotta kick the ground with your legs!

[gasps]

-Riolu! -Grapploct!

Grapploct!

[grunting]

Rio!

Rio… Rio…

-Pickachu! -Awesome.

-Sobble. -All right!

[panting]

Riolu! Hang in there!

Rio… Rio…

Riolu!

Grapploct.

Use Liquidation!

Grapploct!

Use Reversal!

Rio!

-[gasps] -There. That's Reversal!

The more you've exhausted your strength, the more damage it's going to deliver!

-It's sink or swim! -Riolu!

Grapploct!

[both grunt]

Rio.

[groaning]

Grapploct.

One more time! Octolock!

-Grapploct. -Riolu!

Grapploct!

Riolu!

-Riolu, No! -Pika!

Riolu…

Grapploct!

Riolu!

-Oh, no! -[gasps]

Surrender while you can. Or I will have to force you to surrender!

We haven't given up yet!

We broke out of this move once before…

Just hang in there!

[screaming]

Have it your way.

Liquidation. Let's go!

[grunting]

Riolu!

Riolu's unable to battle…

…which means the victory goes to Bea!

I thank you for the match.

You all right?

Pika!

Ah…

As a result of today's battle… there has been a change

in the World Coronation Series rankings effective immediately!

Raboot.

Bea won an overwhelming victory.

It looks like none of Ash's out-of-the-box moves or speed attacks

seemed to have any effect on her at all.

Hawlucha and Grapploct didn't take much damage, either.

That's it. I lost it!

Pikachu.

Wow. She was a tough opponent, wasn't she, Ash?

Now, Grapploct, return.

I shall take leave of you at this point.

Thank you very much for letting us use your dojo.

Pika.

[Ash grunts]

Pika.

[groaning]

Now, young Goh.

I believe that it's our turn.

[gasps]

You will get your choice of Pokémon to add to your team,

but only after you've beat me!

You mean right now?

Raboot.

-Riolu. -Far.

Mm-hm.

Goh? At least you won your match!

And I chose… a Hitmonchan!

Chan!

Riolu? Farfetch'd?

Sorry, guys. We got beat, though we trained really hard.

Riolu.

Farfetch'd.

Pikachu.

I've never had a battle like that before.

But next time won't be the same.

Bea's gonna find out just how good we are.

[narrator] Our hero suffered his first World Coronation Series loss

at the hands of Gym Leader Bea.

Battling Leon may now seem like a distant dream, as the journey continues.