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22x40 - Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Strategy!

Episode transcripts for the TV show "Pokémon". Aired: April 1, 1997 – present.*
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Japanese anime follows Ash a young trainer of fictional creatures called Pokémon.

22x40 - Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Strategy!

Post by bunniefuu »

NARRATOR:During the top- round of the inaugural

Alola Pokémon League, the battles were

hard-fought and full of spirit!

NARRATOR: The result? Eight contestants remain!

NARRATOR: Now we come to the quarterfinals...

NARRATOR: ...and any of the remaining

competitors could win...

NARRATOR: ...which means there are more

exciting battles to come!

PIKIPEK: [YAWNING]

PIKIPEK X: [PLAYFUL]

PIKIPEK : [PLAYFUL]

WINGULL: [CALLING]

TOUCANNON: [ALERT]

WINGULL: [GREETING]

TOUCANNON: [QUESTIONING]

WINGULL: [REPORTING]

TOUCANNON: [QUESTIONING]

WINGULL: [MIMICKING]

WINGULL: [MIMICKING]

WINGULL: [MIMICKING]

TRUMBEAK: [QUESTIONING]

WINGULL: [REPORTING]

WINGULL: [MIMICKING]

TRUMBEAK: [QUESTIONING]

TOUCANNON: [DETERMINED]

TRUMBEAK: [DETERMINED]

PIKIPEK X: [AFFIRMATIVE]

PIKIPEK X: [EXERTION]

WINGULL: [FAREWELL]

♪ [span]Rise!♪

♪ [span]If you're prepared [span] for the challenge♪

♪ [span][Rise to the challenge]♪

♪ [span]Rise!♪

♪ [span]If you're a [span] champion at heart♪

♪ [span][Rise to the challenge]♪

♪ [span]Take my hand♪

♪ [span]We'll train as one♪

♪ [span]And triumph together♪

♪ [span][Rise to the challenge]♪

♪ [span]Nothin's gonna [span] stand in our way♪

♪ [span]Stronger and stronger♪

♪ [span]We'll rise to [span] the challenge of life♪

♪ [span]Pokémon!♪

ASH: "IMITATION IS THE SINCEREST FORM OF STRATEGY!"

ASH: Pikachu, Iron Tail, let's go!

PIKACHU: [AFFIRMATIVE]

PIKACHU: [IRON TAIL MOVE]

ASH: Rowlet, dodge it!

ROWLET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

PIKACHU: [IRON TAIL MOVE]

ROWLET: [PAINED]

PIKACHU: [SURPRISED]

ROWLET: [PAINED]

ASH: Rowlet, no!

PIKACHU: [WORRIED]

ROWLET: [PAINED]

ASH: Rowlet, are you okay?

ROWLET: [EXERTION]

ROWLET: [CONFIDENT]

ROTOM DEX: You worry us when you do things like that!

ASH: You'll do great! Right, Rowlet?

ROWLET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

MALLOW: Hey, there they are!

PIKACHU: [QUESTIONING]

LILLIE: Alola! You're up early today!

ASH: Alola!

SOPHOCLES: Since you weren't there when I woke up this

morning, I wondered where you had gone!

TOGEDEMARU: [GREETING]

TOGEDEMARU: [PLAYFUL]

PIKACHU: [PLAYFUL] SANDY: [PLAYFUL]

ASH: You see, Rowlet woke me up.

SOPHOCLES: Wow, Rowlet woke you up?!

LANA: That's a shock...

ROTOM DEX: Since yesterday, Rowlet

has been extremely focused.

ASH: It's psyched to have a battle

against Decidueye and Hau!

ASH: And do it on such a big stage!

ASH: Pretty exciting stuff, right?

ROWLET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

KIAWE: There's just one thing.

KIAWE: Even though Rowlet beat Dartrix in the past...

KIAWE: ...Now that Dartrix has evolved into Decidueye,

it'll be tougher to defeat, won't it.

KIAWE: Wouldn't a Fire-type Pokémon

like Torracat be a better choice?

SOPHOCLES: Torracat's moves would probably be

super effective, wouldn't they?

MALLOW: I think so!

ASH: Rowlet's my choice.

KIAWE: But, Ash...

SOPHOCLES: So do you have a plan?

ASH: Nope.

ASH: Rowlet really wants to battle this time.

ROWLET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

ASH: Besides, I trust Rowlet. It's got tons of confidence!

KIAWE: But, Ash...

ASH: It's special training time.

ASH: Show 'em, Rowlet!

ROWLET: [DETERMINED]

KIAWE: You're so right!

Now use that fiery spirit to win the whole thing!!!

ROWLET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

LILLIE: We'll be cheering you on.

ROWLET: [EXCITED]

PIKACHU: [EXCITED]

MALLOW: Your match is the second one today, right?

LANA: Not much time. Ready?

ASH: We'll do our best to get ready!

ROTOM DEX: I'm here to help!

LILLIE: I'd love to help you train, but I can't.

My brother's up soon.

MALLOW: He's in the first match, so you want to cheer for him!

LANA: Of course you do!

ASH: I wanna see Gladion's battle, too!

ASH: But this is something we've gotta do.

ASH: So you guys go and cheer for Gladion.

PIKACHU/ TOGEDEMARU/ SANDY: [ALERT]

TOGEDEMARU: [EXERTION]

PIKACHU: [QUESTIONING]

ROTOM DEX: I'd like to record some of this, so I'll stay.

ROWLET: [GRATEFUL]

ROWLET: [EXCITED]

KIAWE: Right. Then we'll just go on ahead, Ash.

MALLOW: Make sure you're in time for your match.

ROTOM DEX: No worries! I'll drag him there if I have to!

LILLIE: Give it everything you've got, Ash, Rowlet!

ASH: Thanks!

ROWLET: [FAREWELL]

PIKACHU: [DETERMINED]

ASH: Now! Special training time...

ROWLET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

PIKACHU: [EXCITED]

JESSIE: Do I make myself clear?!

JESSIE: Your decision...

JESSIE: A dumb...

JESSIE: Boneheaded move...

JESSIE: Cost me the match!

JESSIE: I'll never forgive you if you don't win...

JAMES: Right! Whatever you say...

MEOWTH: And don't forget that we're here to win it all...

MIMIKYU: [NONCHALANT]

WOBBUFFET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

JESSIE: Take this! Use it like there's no tomorrow.

JAMES: Really?!

CASTER: In the first match of the Alola

Pokémon League quarterfinals, it's Gladion versus Jamesio!

CASTER: Gladion's a powerful Trainer

who's had no trouble winning so far!

CASTER: Making this bout must-see battling!

LILLIE: You can do it, Gladion!

MALLOW: Of course he can!

KIAWE: Just watch out for overconfidence.

PROFESSOR KUKUI: All right, what kind of battle do we get?

LUSAMINE: Your mother's behind you, no matter what!

PROFESSOR BURNET: You worry too much.

LUSAMINE: I'm not the least bit worried at all.

PROFESSOR BURNET: Now, you can tell the truth.

PROFESSOR BURNET: Parents always worry about their children.

FABA: No, not to worry! When it comes to winning,

Gladion is a guaranteed shoo-in!

WICKE: He's very talented.

CASTER: And Gladion will be facing Jamesio!

CASTER: Whose biography we finally have.

CASTER: He's a ferocious warrior who has challenged countless

Gym Leaders in historic battles!

MEOWTH: Uh, I don't remember any of that happening...

JESSIE: A strong résumé is designed to generate

fear in one's opponent.

WOBBUFFET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

JAMES: Here we go. Ready, or not!

MAREANIE: [APPEARING]

MAREANIE: [AFFECTIONATE]

JAMES: Wait!

MAREANIE: [CONFUSED]

JAMES: This is no time for me to wobble woozily with poison.

MAREANIE: [QUESTIONING]

JAMES: This is serious.

JAMES: Today we must win for the sake of Team Rocket's honor,

integrity, and reputation!

MAREANIE: [QUESTIONING]

JAMES: And although that may be true...

JAMES: What I really want to do is win myself a battle with none

other than the Masked Royal!

JAMES: Would you help me realize my dream, Mareanie? Could you?!

MAREANIE: [AFFIRMATIVE]

JAMES: Thank you!

MAREANIE: [AFFIRMATIVE]

JESSIE: There he is! Take him down!

MEOWTH: Maybe you could use a nap...

WOBBUFFET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

HAPU: All right then! The first match of the League

quarterfinals will be a battle between Gladion and Jamesio!

JAMES: If you want to surrender, now's the time!

MAREANIE: [CONFIDENT]

GLADION: Let's get started.

LYCANROC [MIDNIGHT FORM]: [EAGER]

HAPU: Battle...begin!

JAMES: Tenacity... for the win! Mareanie, Sludge b*mb!

MAREANIE: [AFFIRMATIVE]

MAREANIE: [SLUDGE b*mb MOVE]

GLADION: Dodge it.

LYCANROC [MIDNIGHT FORM]: [AFFIRMATIVE]

JESSIE: That doesn't look like a win to me!

MEOWTH: He's not down yet...

WOBBUFFET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

ASH: Now, Rowlet, Razor Leaf!

ROWLET: [RAZOR LEAF MOVE]

ASH: Pikachu, use Iron Tail!

PIKACHU: [AFFIRMATIVE]

PIKACHU: [IRON TAIL MOVE]

ASH: Let's go, Rowlet!

ROWLET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

ROWLET: [EXERTION]

PIKACHU: [EXERTION]

ASH: Rowlet, you okay?!

ROWLET: [SLEEPING]

PIKACHU: [BEWILDERED]

ROTOM DEX: It fell asleep...

ASH: Come on...wake up!

ROWLET: [SLEEPING]

ROTOM DEX: With training like this, how can you win?

ASH: Yeah, I hear you.

ROTOM DEX: I can't think of any plan for a breakthrough,

short of learning a new move.

ASH: That's it!

ASH: Rowlet, we're gonna get you to learn a new move!

ROWLET: [SLEEPING]

PIKIPEK X: [PLAYFUL]

ROTOM DEX: Now what do you think you're doing to me?!

PIKACHU: [QUESTIONING]

ROTOM DEX: Stop that right now!

PIKIPEK X: [CHATTERING]

ASH: Hey, Pikipek?

TRUMBEAK: [CALLING]

ROWLET: [SLEEPING] / [ALERT]

ROWLET: [GREETING]

PIKIPEK X: [RESPECTFUL]

ASH: What's up, Trumbeak?

TOUCANNON: [GREETING]

ASH: And Toucannon--wait then you're here for...

ROWLET: [GREETING] / [GRATEFUL]

TOUCANNON: [ACKNOWLEDGING]

ROTOM DEX: They're the Pokémon that Rowlet used to live with!

ASH: I knew it!

ASH: Good to see you!

ASH: I'll bet you all showed up here to cheer for Rowlet!

TOUCANNON: [AFFIRMATIVE]

ROWLET: [GREETING] / [EXCITED]

PIKIPEK X/ TRUMBEAK: [GREETING]

TOUCANNON: [ADDRESSING]

TOUCANNON: [QUESTIONING]

ROWLET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

ROWLET: [REPORTING]

ROWLET: [WORRIED]

TRUMBEAK: [QUESTIONING]

ROWLET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

PIKIPEK X: [ENCOURAGING]

TOUCANNON: [SUGGESTING]

TRUMBEAK: [AFFIRMATIVE]

TOUCANNON: [COMMANDING]

TRUMBEAK: [AFFIRMATIVE]

ROWLET: [QUESTIONING]

ASH: What's that?

TRUMBEAK: [b*llet SEED MOVE]

TOUCANNON: [FEATHER DANCE MOVE]

TOUCANNON: [REPORTING]

ROWLET: [IMPRESSED]

ROTOM DEX: That was Feather Dance!

It forces an opponent's attack through feathers to weaken it!

ASH: Awesome!

ROWLET: [EXCITED] / [QUESTIONING]

TOUCANNON: [AFFIRMATIVE]

ROTOM DEX: If Rowlet can learn it...

ROWLET: [HAPPY]

ROTOM DEX: This could possibly be the perfect way

to deal with Decidueye's attacks!

ASH: Awesome!

ASH: Let's learn it inside and out!

ROWLET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

TRUMBEAK: [CALLING]

PIKIPEK X: [QUESTIONING]

TRUMBEAK: [EXPLAINING]

PIKIPEK X: [AFFIRMATIVE]

TRUMBEAK: [COMMANDING]

PIKIPEK X: [QUESTIONING]

TRUMBEAK: [COMMANDING]

ASH: Back to special training!

ROWLET: [DETERMINED]

ASH/ LILLIE/ LANA/ MALLOW/ SOPHOCLES/ KIAWE:

"Who's that Pokémon?"

ASH/ LILLIE/ LANA/ MALLOW/ SOPHOCLES/ KIAWE:

"It's Wingull!"

MAREANIE: [PAINED]

JAMES: Mareanie!

CASTER: Mareanie managed to avoid defeat,

but it seems to be at its limit!

JESSIE: This isn't what I call a good time!

MEOWTH: I wanna refund.

WOBBUFFET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

MIMIKYU: [AGREEMENT]

JAMES: Let's show them we can still mix it up, Mareanie!

MAREANIE: [AFFIRMATIVE]

GLADION: Quick, Lycanroc, use Swords Dance!

LYCANROC [MIDNIGHT FORM]: [SWORDS DANCE MOVE]

JAMES: Now!

MAREANIE: [AFFIRMATIVE]

JAMES: Sharing our burdens as a team!

JAMES: We've come this far. Quitting isn't an option!

MAREANIE: [DETERMINED]

JAMES: Show them everything we've got!

JAMES: No time like the present!

MAREANIE: [EMPOWERED]

JAMES: Use Black Hole Eclipse!

MAREANIE: [BLACK HOLE ECLIPSE MOVE]

JESSIE: Yeah! Rock on!!!

MEOWTH: For the win!!!

WOBBUFFET: [CHEERING]

LYCANROC [MIDNIGHT FORM]: [BRACING]

GLADION: After all the punishment they've endured,

they can still do that?

GLADION: A testament to the trust

he shares with his Pokémon.

GLADION: But our trust is no less than theirs!

GLADION: All right...Lycanroc!

LYCANROC [MIDNIGHT FORM]: [DETERMINED]

GLADION: The blue moon's Z-Power washes over us...

GLADION: ...and the crumbling world...

GLADION: ...then seals it up!!! Now!

LYCANROC [MIDNIGHT FORM]: [EMPOWERED]

GLADION: Take that!

LYCANROC [MIDNIGHT FORM]: [FIERCE]

GLADION: Use Continental Crush!

LYCANROC [MIDNIGHT FORM]: [CONTINENTAL CRUSH MOVE]

JAMES: Yikes!

NANU: h*, h*... I know that.

NANU: That's the same move the kiddo used!

CASTER: The two Z-Moves have canceled each other out!

JAMES: Uh-oh...

GLADION: Stone Edge, go!

LYCANROC [MIDNIGHT FORM]: [STONE EDGE MOVE]

MAREANIE: [PAINED]

JAMES: Mareanie!

HAPU: Mareanie is unable to battle!

HAPU: Which means the winner is Gladion!

FABA: Just what I'd expect from that young man.

WICKE: He's incredible!

LUSAMINE: He won the match!

LILLIE: Gladion won!

MALLOW: Isn't it great, Lillie?

LILLIE: I'm sorry.

MALLOW: There's nothing to be sorry about!

LANA: It's a good thing!

LILLIE: Yeah...

SNOWY: [HAPPY]

LILLIE: Thanks so much, Snowy!

SNOWY: [AFFECTIONATE]

SOPHOCLES: Ash is supposed to be up next, but...

JAMES: Oh, hi, Jessie...

JESSIE: I did say I wouldn't forgive you if you lost, right?

JAMES: Well, it's just...

JAMES: Forgive me!!!

JESSIE: This one time I'll let you off the hook.

MEOWTH: We can always come up

with another plan to take over Alola.

JESSIE: Team Rocket never looks back!

We can only rocket forward!

WOBBUFFET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

JAMES: You guys...

MAREANIE: [QUESTIONING]

JAMES: We'll give it our all again soon.

MAREANIE: [HAPPY]

MAREANIE: [EXCITED]

MAREANIE: [AFFECTIONATE]

MAREANIE: [AFFECTIONATE]

TOUCANNON: [b*llet SEED MOVE]

ROWLET: [EXERTION]

ROWLET: [PAINED]

PIKACHU: [WORRIED]

ROWLET: [EXERTION]

ASH: It looks like you're getting real close...

ROWLET: [PAINED]

ROWLET: [WORRIED] PIKACHU: [WORRIED]

ROTOM DEX: Ash!

ROTOM DEX: Gladion won!

ASH: Really?!

ASH: Gladion's great! Good for him!

ROTOM DEX: This is no time to celebrate!

ROTOM DEX: You're in the second match, which is right now!

ASH: Yeah, I forgot!

ASH: Let's go!

ROWLET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

TRUMBEAK: [CALLING]

ROWLET: [SURPRISED]

ROWLET: [QUESTIONING]

ASH: What's going on?

PIKIPEK X: [EXCITED]

PIKACHU: [CONFUSED]

ROWLET: [QUESTIONING]

ASH: Looks just like Decidueye!

PIKACHU: [EXCITED]

PIKIPEK X: [COMPLIMENTING]

TOUCANNON: [COMMANDING]

ROWLET: [DETERMINED] / [AFFIRMATIVE]

ROTOM DEX: Ash, you've got to hurry!

ASH: Let's go!

PIKACHU: [AFFIRMATIVE]

ROWLET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

TOUCANNON: [CONFIDENT]

TRUMBEAK: [AFFIRMATIVE]

SOPHOCLES: Ash and Rowlet aren't even here!

TOGEDEMARU: [WORRIED]

LANA: He couldn't have forgotten...

MALLOW: He could've if he's deep in some special training.

LILLIE: So maybe we should go and find him.

KIAWE: With Rotom Dex around,

I'm sure that's been taken care of...

PROFESSOR KUKUI: What in the world could Ash be doing?!

HAU: Hey, Ash?

HAU: Nobody here...

HAU: That's weird... We're just about to begin.

DECIDUEYE: [WORRIED]

HAU: He couldn't have overslept, could he?

ASH: Hurry up!

ASH: Hey, Hau!

HAU: There you are!

ASH: Made it!

HAU: Great! Hey, what's with the cape?

Impressive!

ROWLET: [PROUD]

HAU: Hey, Ash?

HAU: You know... I wanna be stronger!

HAU: A Trainer even more skilled than my gramps!

HAU: That's why...I'm gonna battle you...and I'll win!

HAU: All this time,

my only goal was passing my gramps' grand trial.

HAU: But suddenly... I realized something.

That really wasn't my goal!

ASH: I'm not gonna get beat!

ASH: I'll win this battle and the rest of them after that!

HAU: That's just what I expected!

Let's do our best, and have a great time!

ASH: You're on!

ASH: Right, Rowlet?

ROWLET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

ROWLET: [EXERTION]

ROWLET: [GREETING]

DECIDUEYE: [GREETING]

P.A. WOMAN: Attention, please!

Will our two contestants for the second match, Ash and Hau,

please proceed to the b*ttlefield immediately?

PA WOMAN: Repeat...

HAU: We gotta hurry!

ROTOM DEX: You need to get out of here!

ASH: Cheer us on! Go!

LYCANROC [DUSK FORM]: [APPEARING]

TORRACAT: [APPEARING]

MELTAN: [APPEARING]

PIKACHU: [AFFIRMATIVE]

ROTOM DEX: We'll all cheer you on from the stands!

ASH: Awesome!

ROWLET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

PROFESSOR KUKUI: For pity's sake. Don't scare me like that!

NANU: There you are, kiddo!

NANU: I thought you weren't showing up.

LILLIE: I'm so glad he made it on time!

SNOWY: [GREETING]

PIKACHU: [GREETING]

ROTOM DEX: It was truly a case of touch and go.

MALLOW: What's that?

MALLOW: Rowlet's wearing something, right?

LANA: Decidulet's in the house!

KIAWE: We'll see if the special training

they did is successful...

ROTOM DEX: That might depend on

your definition of 'successful'...

SOPHOCLES: What does that mean?

NANU: Uh... We're beginning the second

match of the quarterfinals.

NANU: Battle...begin!

HAU: Let's show him just how strong we've become!

HAU: Decidueye, use Razor Leaf!

DECIDUEYE: [RAZOR LEAF MOVE]

ASH: Dodge it, Rowlet!

ROWLET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

ASH: Seed b*mb!

ROWLET: [SEED b*mb MOVE]

HAU: Use Leaf Blade!

DECIDUEYE: [LEAF BLADE MOVE]

HAU: Decidueye's gotten a lot stronger. Don't you think?

ASH: No surprise there...

ROWLET: [NERVOUS]

PIKACHU: [WORRIED]

LYCANROC [DUSK FORM]: [CHEERING]

TORRACAT: [CHEERING]

MELTAN: [CHEERING]

TOUCANNON: [APPROVING]

TRUMBEAK: [AFFIRMATIVE]

PIKIPEK X: [CHEERING]

ASH: I figured I might need to turn it up right from the start!

ROWLET: [DETERMINED]

KIAWE: No way!

LANA: That was quick!

ASH: 'Kay, Rowlet! This is us at full power!

ASH: Now, use Bloom Doom!

ROWLET: [AFFIRMATIVE]

ROWLET: [BLOOM DOOM MOVE]

HAU: Now, Decidueye!

DECIDUEYE: [EXERTION]

CASTER: It completely dodged a full-strength Z-Move!

ROWLET: [SURPRISED]

HAU: A Z-Move to start.

HAU: Just like you, Ash.

HAU: The thing is, I did my research

on every one of your attacks!

HAU: Spirit Shackle!

DECIDUEYE: [AFFIRMATIVE]

DECIDUEYE: [SPIRIT SHACKLE MOVE]

ROWLET: [SCARED]

ROWLET: [SURPRISED]

ROWLET: [SHOCKED]

ROWLET: [STRUGGLING]

ROWLET: [PANICKING]

CASTER: Rowlet can't move! Now it's in danger!

HAU: Guess it's our turn!

DECIDUEYE: [DETERMINED]

CASTER: Look at that! Hau has turned the tables!

HAU: Ruler of the silent forest... Decidueye!

HAU: All right! Use Sinister Arrow Raid!

DECIDUEYE: [EMPOWERED]

DECIDUEYE: [SINISTER ARROW RAID MOVE]

ROWLET: [SCARED]

ASH: Rowlet!

CASTER: Is it over already?!

SOPHOCLES: That's...Rowlet.

KIAWE: Yeah. Then what's that?

ROTOM DEX: Rowlet somehow managed

to get out of its costume!

CASTER: Is that...?

CASTER: It is!!! A decoy technique!

HAU: That's the last thing I expected!

HAU: But you won't escape next time!

DECIDUEYE: [AFFIRMATIVE]

ROWLET: [REGRETFUL]

PIKIPEK X: [PROUD]

TRUMBEAK: [PROUD]

NARRATOR: It's the Alola Pokémon League quarterfinals...

NARRATOR: Second match!

NARRATOR: Now, where will it go from here?

As the journey continues!