09x08 - Tactics Theatrics!!

[bunniefuu]

REPORTER A 'As you can see, the Battle Dome is a powder keg'

of excitement and anticipation.

As we await the start of the exciting Frontier Battle

featuring our very own Battle Dome Ace, Tucker!

Aah! Over there!

'The challenger's entourage direct from the Pokémon Center!'

Excuse me, excuse me could we get a word with you please?

With me? What for? Look out!

Aah!

REPORTER A 'Isn't it true you're Ash'

'from Pallet Town?'

REPORTER B 'How does it feel to have made it'

'all the way to the Battle Dome?'

REPORTER C 'Now, what type of Pokémon'

'do you like to work with best?'

REPORTER D 'What do you think of reporters'

'who ask lots of questions?'

- Well, uh.. - Stop!

Save your questions for the press conference!

Press conference?

Right! Better get ready, kid!

NARRATOR On his way to become a Battle Frontier champion

the Battle Dome press corps is giving Ash a crash course

in one aspect of what success can bring!

♪ Pokémon ♪

♪ It's a battle win or lose ♪

♪ It's the friends you make ♪

♪ It's the road you choose ♪

♪ You got the right stuff ♪

♪ So make your mind up ♪

♪ Find the courage inside of you ♪

♪ If you're strong you'll survive ♪

♪ And you'll keep your dream alive ♪

♪ It's the Battle Frontier ♪

♪ Pokémon ♪

♪ Be the best you can be ♪

♪ And find your destiny ♪

♪ It's the master plan ♪

♪ The power's in your hand ♪

♪ Pokémon ♪♪

ASH "Tactics Theatrics!"

PIKACHU [HAPPY]

Folks if you've got a question please raise your hand.

- I do! - I do!

'Me first.'

Hey, this might be fun!

[HAPPY]

I've never seen a press conference before.

This is weird!

As a Pokémon Trainer who's already earned

two Frontier Symbols and is currently attracting

quite a lot of attention.

Hear that, that reporter just said I'm attracting

a lot of attention!

Cool it, Ash! You're in an interview!

Go on!

Would you mind sharing the secret

of your success with us then?

My secret? I guess it's the best defense is a strong offense!

Yeah! As long as I stay tough so do my Pokémon!

[PROUD]

Now, that's the kind of honest no-nonsense answer

we're all looking for!

Yes! Guys, I think they all love me out there!

[HAPPY]

Don't you think you're over doin' it just it a bit?

Those kind of things can backfire!

Nah, not a chance!

If I may I'd like to get your impressions

of Tucker our Dome Ace.

ASH Uh, who's Tucker your Dome Ace?

[gasping]

[wind howling]

[CONFUSED]

Did I just say something a little dumb?

You see, Tucker is a Frontier Brain

as well as a mega superstar.

And, that means, of course the reason

you're attracting attention is you're battling with him.

In other words Tucker's the star and you're the supporting actor!

Actor?

[DISTURBED]

- Makes sense! - Thought so!

I'd love to learn everything about a superstar like Tucker!

JESSIE 'Lots of brushing will keep those fans gushing!'

JAMES 'Working with your locks, Tucker'

'is like going to hairdresser heaven!'

I certainly can't quibble over your dueling brush technique!

What do you think, Victor?

Well, I've got to admit I was really worried

when your regular hairdresser got sick but you look great!

When it comes to making some quick Battle Dome bucks

I'm using these paws for the 'cause every time.

Whoa! Awesome!

BROCK I've never seen an audience this big.

Yeah and they're all here to see Tucker.

SCOTT 'Tucker's an amazing Trainer'

'but he's the ultimate entertainer as well.'

Tucker always puts on a good show and with all those

cheering fans challengers often out-do themselves.

JESSIE Get your Battle Dome snacks right here.

Oh, we've got tons of tasteful Tucker trinkets to boot.

Can I have a juice box?

And let me see your Tucker stuff please?

- Sure! - Right away!

From one Battle Frontier fan to another

we've got the goods if you want to pay!

[AFFIRMATIVE]

NARRATION He won the Champion's Cup in the Orange League

in addition he entered the Indigo League here in Kanto

the Johto League and the Hoenn League championships!

Respected and admired by friend and foe alike

his name is always listed among

the outstanding Trainers of modern times!

Hailing from Pallet Town, a warrior who burns

with the heat of the battle!

A challenger who's invaded the Battle Frontier

with a vengeance, his name Ash Ketchum!

[expl*si*n]

Hey! How are you doing?

[EXCITED]

- Awesome! - Everyone's so pumped up!

[gasps]

NARRATOR A Pokémon Battle

is a thing of rare beauty

and such beauty needs a creator!

[cheering]

A Master who cares as much about his fans

as he does his craft!

So, feast your eyes on the greatest display of talent

the Battle Dome has to offer

and welcome Tucker your Dome Ace!

[cheering]

TUCKER Battle Frontier greetings

to my dear friends!

Welcome to the Battle Dome!

[cheering]

So, that guy's Tucker?

[IMPRESSED]

Wow! Tucker sure means business!

Sounds like the audience thinks so!

I'm here to have a good time! Tell me, how about you?

- 'What a dreamboat!' - 'He's so hot!'

I'll bet dad could learn a thing or two from him!

- Don't you think? - What?

You know, I don't think we should even go there!

Guess you're right!

I welcome you my friend.

Here's to a battle between us that is worthy

of this top-notch Tactics Symbol!

I'm right with you!

And that Symbol's gonna be mine!

Now, that's the kind of first class confidence I like to hear!

So, our fighting theme for today will be the hot

but cool fusion of fire and water!

[READY]

TUCKER 'Your opponents will be the fiery fleet-footed Arcanine'

'and Swampert, the Water and Ground champions!'

VICTOR Today's Battle Dome battle will be a double battle!

The battle will be over when one of the opponents

loses both of their Pokémon.

Sounds good to me.

[DETERMINED]

Alright, Ash!

Since our Frontier Brain has revealed the identity

of his Pokémon, it's time for you to do the same!

'You may even have Pokémon transported here if you wish!'

- Huh? - So, what will it be?

Since Ash knows which Pokémon Tucker's using

that gives him the advantage.

Maybe so, maybe not!

- Huh? - Huh?

Ash's opponent's a Frontier Brain

and that means even if Ash chooses the perfect Pokémon

there's no guarantee he's going to win.

Arcanine's a Fire-type

so my Water-type Corphish's got the advantage

Swampert's a Water and Ground-type

so Electric-type moves aren't gonna work!

[AGREEMENT]

But, if I were to use Swellow we could attack

from a whole bunch of different directions!

Okay, I'm ready to go!

[AFFIRMATIVE]

Your decision?

I'm going with the Pokémon I have!

Okay!

Corphish! Swellow! I choose you!

[READY]

First-rate! Good choices!

VICTOR All four Pokémon are in place!

So, now it's on to the Frontier Battle!

And go!

Swellow, Quick Attack on Swampert, now!

[QUICK ATTACK MOVE]

[FOCUSED]

What an A-one attack!

Now, Extreme Speed Arcanine like the wind! Go!

[EXTREME SPEED MOVE]

[EXERTION]

[PAINED]

Ah, Swellow, no!

Arcanine that was top-notch!

[PAINED]

[FOCUSED]

Quick Corphish get in there and help Swellow!

Use Bubble Beam on Arcanine!

[BUBBLE BEAM MOVE]

Jump, Swampert, my guardian of iron!

Protect Arcanine!

[PROTECT MOVE]

Even if the Pokémon's slower Quick Attack always goes first!

Extreme Speed's the same too.

Whichever Pokémon is the fastest has the first attack!

But then you're saying that Arcanine

must be faster than Swellow.

Not only that, Arcanine can use Protect as well.

'I've gotta say Tucker using Arcanine's speed to attack'

'while keeping Swampert as backup'

'is a brilliant battle combination!'

Perhaps, but you can't say that Ash's attack strategy

was a bad one!

Combining Quick Attack and Bubble Beam

does have its strong points.

But you'll have to do much better than that here!

So, Ash, show me your power!

[DETERMINED]

Don't worry you're gonna see plenty of that.

[DETERMINED]

Okay, Swellow use Aerial Ace!

[AERIAL ACE MOVE]

Indeed! Finally, a brave challenger with some bold ideas.

Arcanine into the sky with Aerial Ace as well.

But how?

Aerial Ace is a Flying-type move!

[AERIAL ACE MOVE]/[EXERTION]

[PAINED]

Aah!

[EXERTION]

Okay, Corphish, use Vice Grip on Arcanine now!

[VICE GRIP MOVE]

[EXERTION]

Swampert, use Mud Shot. Go!

[MUD SHOT MOVE]

[VICE GRIP MOVE]

[FOCUSED]

[SURPRISED]/[PAINED]

[PAINED]

Hey, you guys okay?

[CONCERN]

[STRUGGLING]

[DETERMINED]

Ugh, that was an amazin' combination he used!

BROCK Tucker really knows what he's doing for sure!

But Ash had the right idea when he tried to attack

right after Arcanine made its move!

I guess Tucker's just got a little bit more experience!

He likes to force his opponent to make their strongest attack

and then he counters it.

That's always been Tucker's battling style.

But it is possible to beat Tucker if you can get

a good read on him and be flexible enough

to respond to what he's doing.

You know, Ash has been flexible in battles before!

I don't doubt you about that. I'm sure Ash is flexible.

It's his strategy that still needs a little work!

- What? - Isn't that a bit rough?

Here's the thing the Tactics Symbol of Tucker's

is about strategy and to make a strategy

'you need to be able to think on your feet!'

'Tucker may be a world-class entertainer'

'but he's also a brilliant Tactician!'

Remember, at the press conference when Ash said

"The best offense was a good defense?"

We'll just have to see how that plays out.

[DETERMINED]

Glad to see you're still up for it!

[ENCOURAGING]

Now, that's what I call first class spirit.

And, that's what keeps me inspired.

Now, Swampert! Water g*n!

[WATER g*n MOVE]

ASH Dodge it!

[EXERTION]

[FOCUSED]

Sweet! Good choice!

Okay, Corphish, come on down and join the party!

Crabhammer, go!

[CRABHAMMER MOVE]

Swampert! Use Dynamic Punch!

[DYNAMIC PUNCH MOVE]

[CRABHAMMER MOVE]

[DYNAMIC PUNCH MOVE]

I can't see a thing!

We might be looking at a draw!

[EXERTION]

Arcanine, jump!

[AFFIRMATIVE]/[EXERTION]

Another combination!

Swellow, use Peck on Arcanine!

[PECK MOVE]

Burn with your fiery might!

Now, Arcanine, Flamethrower!

[FLAMETHROWER MOVE]

[SHOCK]

Double Team!

[DOUBLE TEAM MOVE]

Clever! You think you're trying to confuse us, don't you?

But those tricks don't work here!

Let your Fire Flowers Blossom! Arcanine! Fire Blast!

[FIRE BLAST MOVE]

[SCARED]

There's gotta be a way to beat 'em.

Let your Fire Flowers Blossom!

Arcanine! Fire Blast!

[FIRE BLAST MOVE]

Dodge it, quick!

[EXERTION]

He changed Flamethrower into Fire Blast.

Unbelievable! Like watching a Contest Battle!

There's never a wasted moment in any of his attacks.

A real battler!

The trick is for Ash to find a hole in Tucker's attacks

and pick apart his defense once and for all.

[EXERTION]

Top-notch. Now it's my turn! Swampert!

[FOCUSED]

What's that?

[SCARED]

Let me show you!

You'll love it!

My dear Swampert is able to collect the moisture

'from the air and transform it into an amazing'

'powerful Water Attack!'

'A Perfect example of true water entertainment!'

[cheering]

[thinking] I don't care what attack he uses

because while he gets ready now's my chance!

Now, Swellow! Quick Attack!

[AFFIRMATIVE]

Nice. Well-played.

But you overlooked one thing.

Arcanine, Extreme Speed!

[EXTREME SPEED MOVE]

Okay, Corphish, attack Swampert with Crabhammer!

[CRABHAMMER MOVE]

[FOCUSED]

Trying to get past Swampert's guard like that

is an admirable strategy!

But your time is up!

Now, Swampert! Water Pulse!

[WATER PULSE MOVE]

[PAINED]

- Corphish! Swellow! - 'Too late.'

Arcanine, use Fire Blast!

[FIRE BLAST MOVE]

[PAINED]

TUCKER 'This is the foundation of my craft'

'the bedrock upon which everything I do is built.'

'The blending of two opposing powers'

'to achieve maximum damage.'

Fire! Water! Fusion!

[cheering]

[PAINED]

Now, finish!

[PAINED]

Corphish, Swellow, no!

- This is bad. - That attack was overwhelming.

Ash, you have my respect.

Your courage has forced me to use my greatest of Tactics!

'I can't remember a more enjoyable challenge.'

So, the Twerp's got respect!

I just love that Tactics talk!

Well, I don't know what he's talking about but who cares?

[AFFIRMATIVE]

Are the challengers able to continue battling?

[STRUGGLING]/[DETERMINED]

You two are awesome, thanks guys!

- We're ready to go! - Okay!

We're gonna have to dig deep if we're gonna win against Tucker

and his team but you can do it.

[DETERMINED]

That's the kind of dedication

a Trainer like myself lives for.

Arcanine! Flamethrower! Swampert! Water g*n!

[thinking] Another perfect combination!

[DETERMINED]

But that means there's got to be a way

to get in there and beat it!

[FLAMETHROWER MOVE]

[WATER g*n MOVE]

Now, Corphish, Bubble Beam!

[BUBBLE BEAM MOVE]

- Like that? - Swampert!

Dynamic Punch, let's go!

[DYNAMIC PUNCH MOVE]

Okay, Swellow, use Quick Attack!

[QUICK ATTACK MOVE]

- Uh! - Look at Swellow go!

Extreme Speed, Arcanine!

[EXERTION]

Swellow, Double Team!

[DOUBLE TEAM MOVE]

[EXERTION]/[SHOCKED]

[PAINED]

How did Swellow beat Extreme Speed?

Ash used Quick Attack to increase the speed

of Swellow's Double Team!

First rate! My kind of Tactics!

Arcanine, use Fire Blast now!

[FIRE BLAST MOVE]

Yeah! Just what I wanted!

Corphish, Bubble Beam on top of Swellow!

[EXERTION]/[FOCUSED]

[BUBBLE BEAM MOVE]

TUCKER Oh!

Whoa, there's a fog all over the field.

Yeah, I can't see a thing.

Neither can they.

That Fire Blast is hotter than a Flamethrower

and you see what happens when a cool Bubble Beam hits.

[thinking] This is how we're gonna knock out

all of Tucker's combinations!

Now, we can give him everything we've got!

This battle is turning out to be more of a challenge

than I thought.

But we'd better be careful in this thick fog.

Heads up! Both of you keep a sharp eye on your opponents!

[DETERMINED]/[FOCUSED]

Swellow! Your fastest Quick Attack!

[QUICK ATTACK MOVE]

From the front, how quaint!

Intercept combination!

[EXERTION]

They're doing just what I thought they would!

[EXERTION]

[SHOCKED]

That Frontal Attack was nothing but a bluff! Turn around!

Corphish, Crabhammer, go! Swellow, use Aerial Ace!

[EXERTION]/[ATTACK]

[SHOCKED]

[PAINED]

[CRABHAMMER MOVE]

[PAINED]

Huh! He knocked them both out at the same time!

Arcanine and Swampert cannot continue!

The Battle Dome competition winner is Ash of Pallet Town!

Yes! We did it!

[EXCITED]

[PROUD]

You two guys showed tons of courage out there. Thank you!

[HAPPY]

Arcanine, Swampert, thank you for your

first-rate combinations and Tactics.

Ash figured out how to beat those combinations! Awesome!

What a great turn-around!

Except, I'm not sure Tucker's fans

'are going to agree with you.'

Hey, thanks, Tucker!

You showed an impressive grasp of Tactics

along with remarkable flexibility.

You're a top-notch Tactician!

[crowd cheering]

Wow!

Hey, I think they must be cheering for Ash.

After Ash's win over Tucker, he deserves it!

You bet!

SCOTT 'They know it took one gutsy challenger'

'to beat their hometown hero.'

The Twerp topped Tuckers Tactic's!

Surely we can learn from this!

From now on it's Team Rocket's Tactical Takeout!

[AFFIRMATIVE]

Uh, some juice, please!

Prepare for trouble coming right up!

Care for a can or a cup?

The name's Meowth, what's up?

Why, we are!

Now, this is top-notch tactical fusion refreshment!

And, we're giving it to our fans in cups and in cans!

[AFFIRMATIVE]

Thank you again, Ash, for a battle

that was entertaining far beyond words.

Good luck, my friend, wherever you go!

Thanks!

That was really something, Ash!

Thank you, Scott!

- That was some battle! - Ash, you were awesome!

- You were great out there! - Gee, thanks, you guys!

So, give our big winner another huge round of applause!

[cheering]

Until we meet again!

- But wait, Tucker! - Um?

you forgot about the Symbol!

[chuckles]

It's right on top of your head!

[grunts]

Huh! How did he do that?

Some more brilliant Tactics, I guess!

[chuckling]

Alright ! The Tactics Symbol!

And it's all mine!

[EXCITED]

NARRATOR And so, not only has Ash emerged victorious

and earned himself the Tactics Symbol

he's earned some invaluable lessons as well

as his Battle Frontier quest continues on!

♪ Yo Pokémon Masters your heart beats faster ♪

♪ Training for the top 'cause you know you can't stop ♪

♪ Your training kicks now Pokémon Pow wow ♪

♪ The power of a Master all before you will bow ♪

♪ But don't let it get to your head young Trainer ♪

♪ The road is long and filled with danger ♪

♪ Everyone says they deserve to be number one ♪

♪ But who can top you? The answer is none ♪

♪ Because they've never seen an expert like you ♪

♪ One who knows the difference between Mewtwo and Mew ♪

♪ Or someone who can tell you the type Pikachu ♪

♪ Or someone who can tell you which Pokémon's new ♪

♪ First you kick it in Kanto ♪

♪ Then you head to Johto ♪♪