07x30 - Balance of Power

[bunniefuu]

Hey, Norman, just so you know, Pikachu and I don't plan on

leaving this Gym without a badge.

[AGREEMENT]

Well, it's that kind of confidence and spirit

that has made me look forward to this rematch for a long time.

Wow, I'm so excited to see how this

battle is going to turn out.

Are you trying to say that dad's even got a chance of losing?

- Uh.. - Relax.

No one said your dad's gonna to lose.

Yeah, I never said that, Max.

Well, you seem to be forgetting that people are saying

dad's so strong, he's going to end up

a member of the Elite Four.

But that's not to say that Ash hasn't gotten stronger, too

but he's still no match for dad.

Max, maybe you ought to lay off the soda for a while, huh?

She's right, honey. I think you need to relax.

I know this is the first time you've seen your dad

in a Gym battle, but you should enjoy it.

I have a feeling this is going to be a good one.

NARRATOR Ash's long awaited rematch with Norman

is finally set to begin.

Will Ash's long hours of training

result in winning his fifth Hoenn League Gym badge?

Stay tuned!

♪ 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 "Balance of power!"

Feast your eyes.

These are plans for Team Rocket's

new super secret super deluxe Hoenn League base.

- Huh! - Huh!

The best part?

The Boss will think we're super when he sees this.

Finally, our hard work has paid off

and our dreams are coming true.

And then once this dream is for real

we'll invite the Boss to the biggest base warming

wing ding he ever saw.

Now let me hear it.

- Big promotions. - Corporate credit card.

TEAM ROCKET Boss' favorite!

[AFFIRMATIVE]

This Petalburg Gym battle will begin now.

Each trainer will use three Pokémon.

When all of the challenger's or the Gym Leader's Pokémon

are unable to battle, this match will be over.

'During the battle only the challenger'

'will be allowed to substitute Pokémon.'

- Okay, Ash. Ready? - You bet!

For my first Pokémon, I choose Slakoth!

[APPEARING]

[AFFIRMATIVE]

Slakoth, huh? That's cool. Ready, Pikachu?

[AFFIRMATIVE]

Time to see how much all of your hard work

will pay off.

Yeah, and I'm about to show you. Pikachu, Quick attack!

[AFFIRMATIVE]

[QUICK ATTACK MOVE]/[SURPRISED]

Hey, it dodged?

I never expected that.

Slakoth, use Shadow Ball now.

[SHADOW BALL MOVE]

Dodge and use Iron Tail.

[EXERTION]

[IRON TAIL MOVE]

[EXERTION]

[CONFUSED]

I can't believe it.

Even Pikachu's speed attacks aren't getting to it?

Way to go, Slakoth. That's showing them.

Amazing, Pikachu hasn't even been able

to get in one attack.

[TIRED]/[ANNOYED]

Slakoth, Hidden Power!

[HIDDEN POWER MOVE]

[ALARMED]

[EXERTION]

[FEARFUL]

Whoa.

Pikachu is completely surrounded.

[FEARFUL]

Pikachu, use Thunderbolt to blow 'em away.

[AFFIRMATIVE]

[THUNDERBOLT MOVE]

[PAINED]

Are you alright, buddy?

[STRUGGLING]

Wow, I never knew Hidden Power could be used like that.

Wow, Ash's attacks have been

missing the mark completely.

Of course. That's why he started with Slakoth.

- Huh? - Huh?

What do you mean?

I mean in battle, doesn't Ash usually like

to start things out with a long string of speed attacks?

- Yeah. - Normally that works.

Since that's just enough to throw off

a regular opponent, which is also just enough

to give Ash control of the battle.

'But it doesn't work with Slakoth.'

'No matter what kind of Speed or Power attack Ash tries'

'Slakoth manages to squirm out of the way.'

And because of that skill, it gives Norman

the unique ability to fight at whatever pace he chooses.

That makes Slakoth the perfect Pokémon

to start things out with.

That's exactly right, Brock. Well said.

I never knew. Slakoth is an amazing Pokémon.

Which means dad's been controlling this battle

right from the start.

Well, it sure looks that way.

[DETERMINED]

Do you think you can keep going?

[AFFIRMATIVE]

Good! That's just the kind of determination I like to see.

[AGREEMENT]

[thinking] My speed attacks have been working great

in all of my other battles.

Pikachu, Thunder attack!

[THUNDER MOVE]

Dodge and use Blizzard.

[AFFIRMATIVE]

PIKACHU [EXERTION]

[BLIZZARD MOVE]

[PAINED]

Go, Pikachu. Use Thunder again.

[STRUGGLING]

Oh, no, are you okay?

[WORRIED]

What happened? You can't move?

[BLIZZARD MOVE]

I'm freezing.

How long can a Blizzard attack go on?

Who knows?

It's obvious that Slakoth's been working

on offense as much as defense.

Pikachu, return.

[STRUGGLING]/[AFFIRMATIVE]

Torkoal, you're up.

[APPEARING]

[AFFIRMATIVE]

That's an interesting choice.

SLAKOTH [AGREEMENT]

Wonder why Ash called Pikachu back?

That blizzard was so strong Pikachu couldn't move.

Torkoal, Flamethrower, now.

[FLAMETHROWER MOVE]

Blizzard, Slakoth.

[BLIZZARD MOVE]

Excuse me, could we turn down the heat?

[PAINED]

[STUNNED]

Slakoth!

KENNY Slakoth is unable to battle.

Torkoal is the winner.

[HAPPY]/[CRYING]

[chuckles] Oh, come on. Wait till I've won my fifth badge.

Then you can cry all you want.

No way! How could daddy's Slakoth lose this one?

Max, it's going to be fine.

- Huh? - Huh?

What mom? What is it you're trying to say?

You'll see. Just keep watching.

Ash, your decision to substitute your Pokémon was a wise one

and I'm quite impressed with that Flamethrower.

You've raised your Torkoal well.

Shall we continue?

Vigoroth, I choose you.

[APPEARING]

[AFFIRMATIVE]

I knew that was next.

PIKACHU [AGREEMENT]

Let's do this quick, Torkoal. Use Overheat, now!

[OVERHEAT MOVE]

[EXERTION]

Oh, no.

Vigoroth, let's go. Scratch attack!

[SCRATCH MOVE]

[PAINED]

[STUNNED]

Torkoal!

PIKACHU [CONCERNED]

Torkoal is unable to battle. Vigoroth is the winner.

An excellent job, Vigoroth.

[EXCITED]

Can you believe Vigoroth beat Torkoal with just one attack?

Why not?

This battle's so exhausting I'll believe anything.

I'm so impressed with Norman's strategy.

Huh?

BROCK Starting with his slow moving Slakoth

and then going to his high speed Vigoroth is enough

to confuse any challenger.

It's a really great plan.

It allows Norman to test the limits and abilities

of his opponents.

That's right. You hit the nail on the head.

Dad is really good.

Of course. What did you expect?

Time to get back in there, Pikachu.

[AFFIRMATIVE]

So we're revisiting old familiar ground, huh?

Okay. Then let's see what's on your mind, Ash.

I'm not losing.

Hey, not over there.

Why can't you two's ever follow direction?

We can follow directions fine. Just not yours.

If you're so hung up on direction

give us the bullhorn, we'll direct you.

[AGREEMENT]

The only reason I'm calling the shots is we need someone

in charge with brains like me to boss around

bums with brawn like you.

The "brawny bums" have voted you out.

Welcome to the working class.

Why don't we just hire real workers?

Team Rocket's against outsourcing.

[AGREEMENT]

Pikachu, Thunderbolt.

[THUNDERBOLT MOVE]

[EXERTION]

Whoa, that was fast.

[SURPRISED]

Go Vigoroth, use Scratch attack.

[SCRATCH MOVE]

Iron Tail, Pikachu.

[IRON TAIL MOVE]

VIGOROTH [PAINED]

- Hey, it worked. - That was great.

- Flamethrower. - But how?

[FLAMETHROWER MOVE]

[PAINED]

Are you okay, Pikachu?

[AFFIRMATIVE]

That's really cool that dad

can get Vigoroth to use Flamethrower.

Well, I think it's Ash's determination

that's gotten your father so fired up.

He's not battling his usual game plan.

Hey, Ash, use a substitute.

No way! Then he'll just have one left.

Never mind.

Now that Ash knows Vigoroth can use Flamethrower

he's gotta use Pikachu.

'And look, Pikachu is as determined to win as Ash is.'

I'm surprised that you haven't substituted

your Pokémon by this time.

Pikachu and I are still ready to go.

[AGREEMENT]

[thinking] Ah. I know. Electricity!

That'll stop it in its tracks.

Pikachu, use Quick Attack.

[AFFIRMATIVE]

[QUICK ATTACK MOVE]

Vigoroth! Flamethrower, go.

[FLAMETHROWER MOVE]

Dodge it and keep running.

[EXERTION]

Scratch attack, Vigoroth.

[SCRATCH MOVE]

- Now stop. - Stop what?

[SCRATCH MOVE]

[FOCUSED]

[STATIC MOVE]

[PAINED]

It's using static electricity.

What's happening?

Because of an electric Pokémon's physical makeup they can

sometimes paralyze an opponent with just one touch.

It must be pretty powerful to stop Vigoroth.

[STRUGGLING]

Now, Pikachu, use Iron Tail.

[IRON TAIL MOVE]

[PAINED]

[STUNNED]

Vigoroth is unable to battle. Pikachu wins.

You were awesome, buddy!

[EXCITED]

[STUNNED]

Huh, Pikachu.

KENNY 'Pikachu is unable to battle.'

They're both down?

- Oh, no. - No way.

Uh, okay. What now?

- Take care of Pikachu, okay? - I will.

You know, Ash, I'm very impressed

with the progress you've made.

But like it or not, this is our last battle.

So you'd better make it a good one.

You think dad's feeling sorry for Ash?

I think dad's having a really great time.

He is? Wow.

Go, Grovyle. I choose you.

[APPEARING]

[AFFIRMATIVE]

Slaking, let's go.

[APPEARING]

[AFFIRMATIVE]

GROVYLE/SLAKING [DETERMINED]

Oh, wow, talk about two big scary Pokémon.

Yeah, I wouldn't wanna be in the middle of those two.

Okay, Grovyle. b*llet Seed.

[b*llet SEED MOVE]

Stop it, Slaking.

[EXERTION]

- Oh! - Oh!

You got it.

[AMUSED]

I guess not.

[AGREEMENT]

- Cool! - It blocked that whole attack.

BROCK 'Looks like Slaking's hands have been built up so much'

'they're almost like two steel plates.'

And that's not all.

Because Slaking's the Lazy Pokémon

a weak attack like that won't arouse any interest.

Wow, alright then. Grovyle, Leaf Blade.

[LEAF BLADE MOVE]

Grab onto that Leaf Blade, Slaking.

[AFFIRMATIVE]

- Oh, no. - Okay, now throw it back.

SLAKING/GROVYLE [EXERTION]/[PAINED]

- You call that power. - That's for sure.

Slaking's got more than a strong defense.

Yeah, like a whole lot of muscle and speed.

Use Focus Punch, now.

[FOCUS PUNCH MOVE]

b*llet Seed, go.

[b*llet SEED MOVE]

SLAKING [PAINED]

Hmm.

SLAKING [PAINED]

Good job, Grovyle.

[AFFIRMATIVE]

[SURPRISED]

[ANGRY]

[ALARMED]

What's it doing?

Well, I guess that attack made it angry.

That doesn't sound good.

Slaking's really getting into this battle now.

CAROLINE 'Hmm, I wonder if Ash is ready for this?'

Alright, Slaking, Earthquake.

[EARTHQUAKE MOVE]

[ALARMED]

Aah!

Is this normal?

What do you think, Meowth?

Run for your lives.

[AGREEMENT]

DUGTRIO GROUP [ANGRY]

TEAM ROCKET Huh?

DUGTRIO GROUP [EXERTION]

JAMES Just those dingy Dugtrio.

MEOWTH They sure know how to rock the house.

Well, if it's rock they want, then they can have this.

[ANNOYED]

TEAM ROCKET Uh!

[EXERTION]

TEAM ROCKET Look's like Team Rocket's spinning their wheels again.

Uh-huh.

Quick, Grovyle, jump!

GROVYLE/SLAKING [EXERTION]/[FOCUSED]

Use Pound attack.

GROVYLE/SLAKING [POUND MOVE]/[EXERTION]

Ehh!

Good! Now send it flying.

SLAKING/GROVYLE [EXERTION]/[PAINED]

[PAINED]

Use b*llet Seed, Grovyle. Now!

[AFFIRMATIVE]

[b*llet SEED MOVE]

Hyper Beam, Slaking.

[HYPER BEAM MOVE]

[IMPACT]

[PAINED]

[PAINED]

[HAPPY]

Slaking is just too strong.

Yeah, especially with the ability to use Hyper Beam.

[AGREEMENT]

[DETERMINED]/[ANGRY]

Grovyle got up?

[AFFIRMATIVE]

You okay?

- Ash, wait. - Huh?

It's obvious Slaking's Hyper Beam

has taken a lot out of Grovyle.

There's no shame in calling it off

not when it comes to the safety of your Pokémon.

'In fact, it's a trainer's responsibility.'

Uh-huh!

[DETERMINED]

Huh?

Grovyle, are you sure you wanna to keep going?

[AFFIRMATIVE]

Okay, then I'm with you.

Now, let's show Norman what you're really made of.

[OVERGROW MOVE]

- Uh, what's this? - Astounding.

- That's incredible. - Uhh.

- Of course, it's Overgrow. - Overgrow?

BROCK 'It's an ability both Treecko and Grovyle have'

'that magnifies the power of their grass attacks'

'just in case they become exhausted during battle.'

So, why did it wait until now?

I guess Grovyle needed to feel the complete confidence

that Ash has in its battling skills

as well as not wanting to let down

the other members of Ash's team.

BROCK 'Because of that, Grovyle was able to muster up'

'its last bit of strength to use Overgrow.'

Good, Grovyle. Let's finish it.

So, I guess the real battle's getting started now.

Go, Slaking, use Earthquake.

[EARTHQUAKE MOVE]

Quick, jump Grovyle.

[EXERTION]

Stop Grovyle!

[AFFIRMATIVE]

Jump and bounce off Slaking.

[EXERTION]

SLAKING [ANGRY]

Now use Hyper Beam. Go!

[HYPER BEAM ATTACK]

GROVYLE [EXERTION]

Pound, Grovyle.

[POUND MOVE]

[PAINED]

Alright!

GROVYLE [HAPPY]

Wow, as long as Grovyle jumps

those earthquakes can't do anything.

Right, and with Grovyle's excellent jumping abilities

that shouldn't be a problem.

I'm impressed with your strategy, Ash.

But in order to defeat Slaking

you're going to need strength as well.

I know.

[ANGRY]

Huh, it's not tired at all.

[WORRIED]

Let's finish up.

Slaking, full power Focus Punch now!

[FOCUS PUNCH MOVE]

Yeah? Watch this.

Go, Grovyle, give it a full power Leaf Blade attack.

[LEAF BLADE MOVE]

[FOCUS PUNCH MOVE]

[LEAF BLADE MOVE]

[IMPACT]

[FOCUSED]

[grunting]

[FOCUSED]

Hmm.

[TIRED]

[PAINED]

[all gasping]

[CONTENT]

[DAZED]

Slaking is unable to battle. Grovyle wins.

KENNY 'The winner of this match is Ash from Pallet Town.'

Grovyle, we did it.

[AGREEMENT]

[EXCITED]

I can't believe it. Ash really beat dad.

Yeah, in an amazing battle.

You put up a great fight, Slaking.

[AFFIRMATIVE]

Dad actually lost one. You can't win them all, right, Max?

[whimpering]

NORMAN Ash, I haven't enjoyed a battle this much in a long time.

Thank you. You deserved to win.

And this Balance Badge is proof of that.

Congratulations.

- Oh, thank you, Norman. - No way!

Huh?

Max, what's wrong? Where are you going?

Honey?

[panting]

MAY 'Come on, Max, why are you doing this?'

Max, open the door, please.

MAX Why, daddy?

Why did you have to lose, huh?

'And now you're saying that'

'you had a great time battling but you lost.'

'I don't like it. That doesn't make any sense at all.'

You've got to remember, Max.

Dad's a Gym Leader and you know how Gym battles work.

'Dad lost. Why aren't you upset?'

Of course it wasn't easy watching dad

lose that Gym battle and all

but it doesn't matter.

He fought as hard as he could and that's what's important.

[sobbing]

You know Gym Leaders don't work hard and hold battles

just so they can keep winning all the time.

MAX 'That doesn't mean it's okay to lose.'

- Yes, it is. - Huh?

NORMAN 'Losing is an important part of being a Gym Leader.'

If you've battled hard and done your best

then defeat can end up

being quite the wise teacher.

NORMAN 'Think about how hard Ash and Grovyle battled together'

'while never once accepting defeat as an option.'

Max, they found strengths they didn't even know they had

and that is what it's all about.

[crying]

Hey, Max?

If you want to keep that badge, that's okay, really.

Thanks to that battle with your dad

I've gotten a whole lot better and stronger too.

And that's much more important then any badge.

Oh.

Hey, dad, someday, when I become a Trainer

would you let me battle you too?

Sure. It would be an honor.

Mmm.

Hey, I'm sorry, Ash.

You earned this badge. Congratulations.

That's okay. Thanks, Max.

Yes! I just won Balance badge.

[EXCITED]

NARRATOR In one of his toughest battles yet

Ash earned his fifth badge

bringing him one step closer to the Hoenn League.

Now our heroes continue on

looking forward to more adventure.

♪ 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 ♪♪