06x06 - A Poached Ego!

[bunniefuu]

NARRATOR Ash and friends continue on to Rustboro City

where Ash will have his first Gym Battle in the Hoenn region.

But for now, our heroes march happily along.

Well, most of them.

I'm not happy.

Oh, come on, May! We just finished takin' a break.

[AFFIRMATIVE]

I wouldn't call that a break.

Alright, guess we'll just have to take another one then.

Look! There's a Pokémon Center just ahead.

There is, really?

In that case, May, off we go then.

Let go! You're hurting my arm! Ow!

What's that?

MAY 'There's something weird sticking out of this tree.'

- Yeah, you're right. - Wonder what it is.

[CURIOUS]

MAY 'Something sure happened here.'

Maybe, a Pokémon battle?

I guess, but who'd use thisin a Pokémon battle?

♪ A kid from Pallet Town with a brand new world to see ♪

♪ Don't know what's ahead but it won't get the best of me ♪

♪ There's so much to learn and battles to be won ♪

♪ I've advanced so far and still there's always more to come ♪

♪ Take a step and I'm on my way ♪

♪ Gonna start all over again ♪

♪ I wanna be a hero ♪ ♪ Hero ♪

♪ Pokémon Advanced ♪

♪ I'm on my way ♪

♪ I wanna be a hero ♪ ♪ Hero ♪

♪ Give me just one chance ♪

♪ And the future will decide ♪

♪ If there's a hero buried deep inside ♪

♪ I wanna be a hero ♪

♪ Pokémon ♪♪

ASH "A Poached Ego!"

[instrumental music]

NURSE JOY Hello.

Welcome to my Pokémon Center!

- Nurse Joy! - Hey there.

Did they transfer you from Oldale Town, Nurse Joy?

- Huh? - May, remember?

You really helped us all out at the Pokémon Center back there!

Well, I don't see how that's possible

since I've never seen any of you before.

Never? But you're Nurse Joy, right?

Right, but the Nurse Joy you know

in Oldale Town, is my older sister.

- Really? - Cross my heart! Ha ha ha.

So not fair!

I didn't even get a chance to talk to her this time.

Hey, May! Look!

- What, Max? - Check it out!

Hmm. Ah!

MAY 'A bunch of Nurse Joys!'

Every Pokémon Center in the country is run by a Nurse Joy

and they look exactly alike!

- 'Please!' - Huh!

You're so naive.

Nurse Joy's uniqueness is easily seen.

- Oh! - Ah! It's completely obvious.

I can tell the difference.

Your bangs are a millimeter longer.

Huh? Ha!

Awesome. Brock, you're amazing!

[AFFIRMATIVE]

You're something else.

He's something else alright.

OFFICER JENNY 'Nurse Joy!'

NURSE JOY 'Well, look who it is! Officer Jenny.'

Not you too!

Ah, well, hello there.

I see your eyelashes are one tenth of an inch longer

than any other Jenny in the country.

They are? They are!

Don't tell me, there's a bunch of Officer Jennys too.

Yep, you got it.

MAY 'I told you not to tell me.'

But I can tell the difference, and I'll tell you how.

Anyway, Nurse Joy, I need to find out

if any injured Pokémon have been brought

to your Center recently.

Why, no. But why do you ask?

There've been a few reports of

a poacher operating right in this area.

MAY/MAX/ASH A poacher?

Based on his methods

I would guess it's this Pokémon hunter, Rico.

He thinks nothing of injuring Pokémon

in order to catch them!

- Look what we found. - Oh, dear.

It's part of a capture net

that's commonly used by poachers.

Where did you find it?

We found it in the forest on our way here.

You've got to show me where.

[Jessie laughing]

So, the Twerps ducked into the Pokémon Center. Good.

Now, it's time to set a trap.

- Right? - But what kind?

How about our tried and true pitfall?

Huh? Hey, no!

Can't we be more original?

So, you've got a better idea?

Look, we're workin' on climbin' the corporate ladder right?

So, therefore, we gotta start thinkin'

of more creative inspired things than diggin' holes.

- Ah! - Ah!

Meowth!

[PAINED]

[SCARED]

Hey, that's weird. Something's inside of there.

Ekans!

A cage full of 'em!

[SCARED]

What are you guys doin' in there?

[URGENT]

What? You're tellin' me, you were captured by some poachers?

[AFFIRMATIVE]

Hey, I'm gonna get yous out.

[PAINED]

Man! That hurt.

JESSIE/JAMES 'Hey, Meowth!'

- Here we come. Stand by. - Pokémon Express!

JESSIE 'Oh, I get it.'

JAMES Those poor Ekans were pilfered by some lowly poachers.

[AFFIRMATIVE]

[SAD]

And, they've been zapped pretty badly

from the electricity in that cage.

Of all the amateurish poaching antics!

What kind of idiots would injure their own Pokémon?

Sickening!

If that's not bad enough, they leave the cage

right here in the open.

You know, we could take these Ekans for ourselves.

- I like your thinking. - Yes.

Our first catch in the Hoenn region

without even breaking a sweat!

So, Arbok, use Acid.

[UPSET]

Hey, Arbok? What has gotten into you?

[UPSET]

I know what.

Arbok used to be an Ekans before it evolved.

And it doesn't want them to be hurt any worse.

[SCARED]

Oh, dear Arbok, we won't harm a scale

on your friends' slippery heads, I promise.

[UNSURE]

Cross my heart on my Team Rocket honor.

[OVERJOYED]

Jess, what honor?

Yeah, what do you got up that sleeve anyway?

We're sitting on an Ekans goldmine.

We'll create the biggest, baddest, Ekans army

this world has ever seen!

But they'd have to eat.

Feeding those guys will break the bank!

You two will just have to cut back on a few meals.

JAMES/MEOWTH Ah!

[AFFIRMATIVE]

Now, Arbok. Acid!

[ACID MOVE]

[SHOCKED]

It didn't do a thing!

So, watch and learn.

Weezing, use Sludge Attack, now!

[SLUDGE MOVE]

[PECK MOVE]

[PAINED]

[gasps]

[ANGRY]

[dramatic music]

Alright, you clowns.

Who do you think you are messing with my property?

JESSIE Prepare for trouble. Finders keepers, losers weepers.

We're Team Rocket, so, make it double, jeepers creepers!

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 those Ekans or prepare for a fight.

Meowth, that's right.

[AFFIRMATIVE]

Let's try this again.

What do you think you're doing with my Pokémon?

Stealing them of course.

We're creating the world's largest Ekans army.

[UPSET]

[scoffs] You don't know who you're dealing with.

[SCARED]

[shocked]

He also got a cage load of Koffing!

I'm Rico. I'm a Pokémon Hunter.

Per my client's wishes, I'm poaching as many

Poison Pokémon as I can.

JAMES You're off to a good start, Rico.

MEOWTH That's why you caught Ekans and Koffing.

RICO And here you come waltzing in trying to poach from a poacher.

I'll go easy on you jokers though.

Just give me your Arbok and Weezing

and I'll let you go in one piece.

- Some nerve! - You want our Pokémon?

That's what I said.

There's an extra bonus in it for me

for every evolved Pokémon I can catch.

Catch them elsewhere.

Arbok and I have been together too long

for me to give it to you, buster!

And, Weezing and I are like brothers!

Fine, so be it.

Then, I guess, I'll have to be taking them.

- Yeah? Fat chance! - Just try it!

Now, it's you not knowin' who you're dealin' with.

[ANGRY]

Fearow, go, Agility.

[AGILITY MOVE]

Poison Sting, Arbok.

[POISON STING MOVE]

Weezing, Sludge Attack, go!

[SLUDGE MOVE]

Dodge, and use Fury.

[EXERTION]

[FURY ATTACK MOVE]

[PAINED]

[screaming]

[groaning]

- What happened? - Now, Fearow, Drill Peck.

[DRILL PECK MOVE]

Arbok, Wrap Attack, now.

[WRAP MOVE]

[PAINED]

And that's a wrap!

Fearow, return.

[PAINED]

[SHOCK]

- Hey, that's not fair! - Go, Pupitar.

Sandstorm!

[APPEARING]

[SANDSTORM MOVE]

[screaming]

JESSIE/JAMES/MEOWTH Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!

[AFFIRMATIVE]

[PROUD]

Huh, those Pokémon were so weak

it wasn't even worth catching them.

[SCARED]

MAY 'We found it right here.'

OFFICER JENNY Poachers use capture nets to immobilize Pokémon

before they catch them.

Wonder if it hurts 'em?

Hey, look at that!

MAX 'Tire tracks!'

The poachers must be traveling by car.

They're still fresh.

They couldn't have gotten very far from here.

We'll search from the sky.

[AFFIRMATIVE]

MEOWTH Oh, my aching tail!

There's nothing more painful then landing on your tail bone.

I really hate men like that.

I'm gonna tear him and his overblown ego limb from limb!

If he was a real tough guy

he wouldn't have to hide behind his Pupitar.

This calls for a classic Team Rocket sting operation.

[AFFIRMATIVE]

JAMES/JESSIE/MEOWTH Huh?

[ANGRY]

What's going on here?

This is not the kind of sting operation we meant.

[EXERTION]

JESSIE/JAMES/MEOWTH We'll show ourselves out!

[SCARED]

[ANGRY]

[EXERTION]

Out of the way, you little pin cushion!

We're about to become one ourselves!

MEOWTH 'So scram!'

[STARTLED]

[PIN m*ssile MOVE]

[shocked]

[SCARED]

JESSIE/JAMES Phew!

MEOWTH That was close!

[AGREEMENT]

[FRIENDLY]

- Hey, it's a Cacnea! - Gee, thanks.

You really saved our skin.

I say we head that poacher off now

and get the Ekans and Koffing.

Head him off where, Jess? He's gone by now.

Yeah, guess you're right.

[URGENT]

[FOCUSED]

What is it doing, Meowth?

Arbok can pick up on sound waves in the earth

and tell us where that wily poacher's gone.

Well..

[EXERTION]

Oh, yes. We haven't properly thanked you.

A token of our gratitude.

[GRATEFUL]

[CURIOUS]

[URGENT]

Hey, Arbok just said that it heard a car.

Good. I'm sure it's that poacher.

Uh, toodle-oo!

[CONFUSED]

[URGENT]

[EXERTION]

TAILLOW [URGENT]

MAY/ASH/MAX/OFFICER JENNY/BROCK Huh?

Taillow, did you see the poacher yet?

[AFFIRMATIVE]

Then take us to him right away.

[intense music]

Huh?

[DETERMINED]

Huh. You must be that same Arbok.

You've saved me some trouble.

Now, don't you move.

[SMOKESCREEN MOVE]

- Hello. - Do you remember us?

[HAPPY]

You bet.

Now, Fearow, blow that smokescreen away.

[EXERTION]

[chuckles]

How dare you!

[AFFIRMATIVE]

[chuckles]

This electricity is nothin'

compared to Pikachu's Thunderbolt attacks I'm used to.

[CONCERNED]

Fearow, use your Drill Peck on Meowth.

Go, Arbok, Headbutt!

[HEADBUTT MOVE]

[PAINED]

No, Fearow!

Just shocking, isn't it?

You bad poacher man, you!

[STUNNED]

Alright, guys, out of the cage, quick!

[RELIEVED]

No, you don't.

- Arbok! - Weezing!

[SLUDGE MOVE]/ [POISON STING MOVE]

[screaming]

[Jessie laughs]

JAMES 'You've poached your last Pokémon, pal-ley.'

And now these Ekans and Koffing will be coming with us.

You've done it now.

[grunting] I'm so angry, you've left me no choice!

Go, Pupitar.

[APPEARING]

- Ah! - Oh, no!

It can't be!

[intense music]

[chuckles]

Perfect. I knew it was ready to evolve.

[ANGRY]

Pupitar..

- Evolved to Tyranitar! - Evolved to Tyranitar!

[AFFIRMATIVE]

[dramatic music]

Wow, that's a big one!

Big deal.

Now, Weezing, Smokescreen.

[SMOKESCREEN MOVE]

[PAINED]

- That showed him! - Now run for it.

[AFFIRMATIVE]

No, you don't. Tyranitar, Hyper Beam!

[HYPER BEAM MOVE]

[SCARED]

[screaming]

RICO 'Glad you decided to stay.'

I'll be taking back my Ekans and Koffing

along with all your Pokémon.

[ANGRY]

I know just how to handle men like this.

Tell me, please.

A simple Hyper Beam or two ought to teach him a lesson quick.

- Okay, Wobbuffet, go. - Oh, yeah.

Better yet, you could use Counter Attack.

[AFFIRMATIVE]

Hyper Beam!

[HYPER BEAM MOVE]

[PROUD]

[screaming]

[STUNNED]

Wobbuffet!

Looks like its Counter Attack failed.

That Hyper Beam came so fast

it didn't even have time to do one!

[HYPER BEAM MOVE]

[screaming]

[expl*si*n]

Hey, what was that?

I bet it's that poacher again.

Let's head over in that direction.

Right.

[dramatic music]

You fools, this wouldn't have happened

if you'd handed over your Pokémon nicely.

'But now it's too late for that.'

'So, I'm going to take those Pokémon and destroy you.'

[grunting]

[SCARED]

JESSIE/JAMES/MEOWTH Hmm.

Now, Arbok, take your friends and get out of here.

Right, you too, Weezing.

[CONFUSED]

We know you're strong

but you're no match for Tyranitar!

[DISAGREEMENT]

JAMES 'Listen.'

[SHOCK]

You're better safe than sorry.

Truth is, we just care too much

to allow you to be captured by someone like him, see?

Besides, all of those other Ekans and Koffing

need you to help them right now.

[AFFIRMATIVE]

JESSIE 'Now, go.'

We're able to take care of ourselves.

So, yous guys get outta here now and don't you look back.

[UNSURE]

[DISAGREEMENT]

Why drag this thing out anymore?

Just leave now.

[SAD]

[AFFIRMATIVE]

[EXERTION]

RICO 'Idiots.'

- Uh? - They're not going anywhere.

Tyranitar, Hyper Beam.

[HYPER BEAM MOVE]

Fury Swipes!

[FURY SWIPES MOVE]

[PAINED]

And that's the name of that tune. Oh?

[ANGRY]

[HYPER BEAM MOVE]

[CONCERNED]

- Don't look back. - Keep going.

[ANGRY]

It's time for more Fury Swipes.

Try my Fury Swipes.

And try mine as well.

[CONCERNED]

[EXERTION]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Tyranitar, return.

[sighs] These three are more trouble than they're worth.

At least those Pokémon are mine.

[chuckles]

Huh? Hmm!

We're not through.

This ain't over yet.

We'll show you there's still fight in us.

[scoffs] Oh, yeah?

JESSIE/JAMES/MEOWTH No!

- Come back here. - Big bully.

MEOWTH Furry Swipes.

[groaning]

[instrumental music]

Now, where did they go?

When I find..

GROWLITHE [ANGRY]

So, you're Rico, the Pokémon Hunter.

You're under arrest for Pokémon poaching.

Is that so, officer?

Go, Fearow! Unh!

[APPEARING]

Pikachu, use Thunderbolt.

[THUNDERBOLT MOVE]

[PAINED]

[STUNNED]

What? Fearow, no!

Then I'll use Tyranitar.

Growlithe, seize all of his Poké ba*ls now.

[EXERTION]

[screaming]

- Alright! - Bull's eye!

Now, Rico, release all of the Pokémon that you've caught.

You're a little late, officer.

They all escaped, thanks to a bunch of fools.

[shocked]

Was that the expl*si*n?

Then it must have been the people

who saved the Pokémon, right?

Yeah, with all the bad people like Team Rocket around

it's nice to know there are good people too.

[AFFIRMATIVE]

[instrumental music]

[groaning]

Do you really think Arbok and Weezing

will be alright, Jessie?

- I hope so. - Don't worry, guys.

They're as tough as nails

from all that battlin' with Pikachu, right?

I know they'll be just fine.

- I suppose. - Right.

JESSIE/JAMES/MEOWTH Hmm?

[FRIENDLY]

- Look who it is. - It's that same Cacnea.

Have you been following us all this time?

[URGENT]

Hey, it's okay.

I gave this to you.

You should go ahead and eat it.

[EXCITED]

It's really quite good.

[CURIOUS]

[HAPPY]

- Look. - That Cacnea iskinda cute.

Cacnea, if you like you can come along

and travel with us. What do you say? Huh?

[AFFIRMATIVE]

[HAPPY]

We got a Cacnea!

[screams]

NARRATOR Saying goodbye to Arbok and Weezing

was difficult for Jessie and James

but now they can experience the joys and the pain

of a brand-new friendship.

♪ Take a step and I'm on my way ♪

♪ Gonna start all over again ♪

♪ I wanna be a hero ♪ ♪ Hero ♪

♪ Pokémon Advanced ♪

♪ I'm on my way ♪

♪ I wanna be a hero ♪ ♪ Hero ♪

♪ Give me just one chance ♪

♪ And the future will decide ♪

♪ If there's a hero buried deep inside ♪

♪ I wanna be a hero ♪

♪ Pokémon ♪♪