07x40 - That's Just Swellow

[bunniefuu]

NARRATOR Ash and friends continue on toward Fortree City

moving ever closer to the Hoenn League.

Along the way, they spot a small village

at the foot of the mountains.

MAX That should be Crossgate Town, right?

BROCK Yep, better known as "The Crossroad of the Winds".

Well, that makes sense.

[AGREEMENT]

Almost makes you feel like you're flying.

- Huh? - Huh?

[EXERTION]

A Swablu, look.

There's something in its mouth.

[screaming]

[PAINED]

[gasps]

Taillow, help that Swablu.

[APPEARING]/[EXERTION]

Hey, great job, Taillow.

[AGREEMENT]

- 'Swablu!' - Huh?

Are you alright? Ah, man!

[HAPPY]

Thank goodness, you're okay.

[HAPPY]

Uh, I think it had some trouble with that wind.

Oh, well, thanks a lot for helping it.

My name's Shane, by the way.

[HAPPY]

Hi, I'm Ash from Pallet Town.

[HAPPY]

- Hey, I'm May. - And I'm Max.

My name's Brock.

Hi, you guys.

Well, Swablu, you already know, right?

[HAPPY]

What's that ring for, Shane?

Oh, we use them in the Pokéringer Competition.

Pokéringer?

[CURIOUS]

♪ 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 "That's just Swellow."

SHANE 'The Pokéringer Competition's been held'

'in this area for years, we're known for it.'

Teams consist of a trainer and a single Flying Pokémon.

'While battling mid-air, each team'

'has to first get the ring hanging from a hot-air balloon.'

'Then, the first team to hang that ring'

'on a hook on the goal post wins.'

What an awesome game.

So, is that what you and Swablu were practicing for, Shane?

Mm-hmm. We're planning on entering the next competition.

- That's so cool. - It sure is.

This Pokéringer thing is a pretty big deal, huh?

Yeah, for everybody around here anyway.

And since the competition is gonna start today

everybody is extra excited.

You mean today's the actual day of the contest?

Yeah, this afternoon.

Well, then in that case

I'm going to enter with my Beautifly.

Yeah. And I'm going to enter with my Taillow.

[EXCITED]

[fireworks exploding]

[crowd cheering]

ANNOUNCER 'Welcome to the annual Pokéringer Competition.'

'This year should be a great one, so let's get started.'

Oh, so, who are they?

Those are all of the previous winners.

I guess if you win, it pretty much makes you famous forever.

And not only that, every winner gets made an honorary citizen

of Crossgate Town for life.

That's cool.

I would love to be an honorary citizen here.

Come on, you really think

you can win when you've never even done this before?

Actually, a lot of winners have been first-time Pokéringers.

[gasping]

To tell you the truth

today's going to be my first time competing.

[gasps]

Plus, I just caught this Swablu

so, we're not much of a team yet.

But I still think we'll win

'cause I'm determined.

Yeah, that's the same way I see it.

Let's all just do our best.

[AGREEMENT]

MEOWTH Let me get this straight.

All you win for first prize

is a citizenship to this crummy town?

What do you get for second prize, a kick in the shin?

What's so great about this Pokéringer stuff?

Doesn't look that hard.

Classic Pokéringer Competition combines the trainer's talents

and his Pokémon's ability

to create an artistic and winning battle style.

- Huh? - Huh?

JAMES In my younger years

I had the honor to train

under a renowned Pokéringer Master.

He thought I had what it took to be a champion.

But when I joined Team Rocket, I put it all behind me

and vowed never again would I feel the pain

of those shattered dreams.

And now, that pain has returned

as I stare into the penetrating eyes of..

'...my Master!'

That crazy old geezer?

He looks more like a potato farmer

than a Pokéringer Master.

JAMES Show some respect!

My Master was the first Pokéringer champion in history!

Now, I must follow in my Master's footsteps!

I shall enter into the Games, and not only that

I will win!

MEOWTH When you hot, you hot.

JAMES I'll be the Pokéringer

you knew I could be, Master.

JESSIE Should we put him out?

[AFFIRMATIVE]

ANNOUNCER 'The computer will now randomly group'

'all of our Pokéringer contestants'

'into blocks of four teams each.'

'Battling first in the A Block..'

'Here are your four teams.'

What a relief.

The last thing I wanted was to start off

by battling Ash or you, Shane.

Yeah, me too.

ANNOUNCER 'Now it's time to select the B Block.'

'There he is folks, Volt!'

'Returning champion and the hands-down favorite'

'in this year's competition'

'going up against a last-minute entry'

'Ash and his Taillow.'

- Aw! - Oh, man, not the champ.

Yeah, bring him on.

[EXCITED]

- Bring him on, huh? - Huh?

You're in over your head, kid.

Up against the champ?

You won't even make a good warm-up.

Hey! Anything can happen once the battle starts.

[chuckles]

Why don't you go home to mommy

'before it's too late?'

- What's with him? - What a creep.

- 'Consider yourself lucky.' - Huh?

Battling him, you'll learn right away

if you're a Pokéringer, right?

- Team Rocket. - Why are you here?

Friend of yours?

- Mm-mm. - Mm-mm.

I'm here today not as a member of Team Rocket.

Huh? What are you up to, then?

My motives are pure. I am a simple Pokéringer.

So, just call me..

"...Amazing James, King of the Rings!"

Here come the final team pairings.

I'm not ready!

ANNOUNCER 'And finally, the C Block team.'

'There they are.'

[gasping]

May? Sorry about your getting grouped with me.

Now, you don't have half a chance of advancing.

Ha! Are you in for a big surprise.

Why aren't you afraid of me?

ANNOUNCER 'Ladies and gentlemen'

'the ring balloon has been released.'

'Now, the four A Block trainers will climb to battle altitude.'

'And at the start signal, the first match'

'in the Crossgate Pokéringer Competition will begin!'

[crowd cheering]

Come on out, Swablu.

[APPEARING]

[EXERTION]

[WATER g*n MOVE]

[EXERTION]

[ATTACK]/[EXERTION]

Swablu, don't focus only on the ring.

Huh? Climb up. Wind's coming!

[EXERTION]

[gasps]

Why did Shane give up on the ring?

[STRUGGLING]

He didn't give up, he knew that wind was coming.

And now, Swablu's going to have a clean shot at getting it.

[EXERTION]

Alright! Now, take it to the goal.

[EXCITED]

ANNOUNCER 'Goal!'

'First-time Pokéringer Shane has taken the first round!'

- Alright! - Alright!

[EXCITED]

[HAPPY]

You were great, Swablu.

[HAPPY]

[chuckling]

He doesn't scare me.

[AGREEMENT]

ANNOUNCER 'Now, B Block.'

'Will our returning champ Volt'

'make it two victories in a row?'

'Here they come!'

Let's go, Taillow!

[APPEARING]

Taillow, Golbat

and a Ninjask, huh?

This is a joke.

Go, Volbeat!

[APPEARING]

Knock them out with Thunder Attack!

[THUNDER ATTACK MOVE]

[DODGING]/[PAINED]

ANNOUNCER 'Volbeat scores a direct hit.'

'And just like that, two of the teams are finished!'

This Volt guy doesn't even go for the ring

he just takes his opponents out of the game.

And Electric attacks are super-effective

against Flying Pokémon like Taillow.

Climb, now, Go get the ring

before he can attack again, Taillow!

[AGREEMENT]

No good, punk.

Go, Volbeat, sh**t it down with Thunder!

[THUNDER MOVE]

[PAINED]

You can take it! Hang in there!

[STRUGGLING]

[EXERTION]/[SHOCKED]

What? Why wasn't that working?

How could Taillow shake that off?

That was a direct hit.

And look, now I think it's going after the ring.

[EXERTION]

Just in time. Now, go for the goal.

[AGREEMENT]

[EXERTION]

Hit that ring with Thunder!

[THUNDER MOVE]

[PAINED]

Oh, no.

Now, grab the ring

and take it to the goalpost!

[EXERTION]

Taillow, now use Wing!

[WING MOVE]/[PAINED]

What?

[EXCITED]

Good, Taillow. Head straight for that goal!

[EXCITED]

ANNOUNCER 'Goal!'

'Volt is defeated!'

'What a victory for Ash Ketchum!'

Alright, alright, yeah, yeah!

Ash's Taillow stood up to all of those Thunder attacks

and just seemed to come back more energized than ever.

Way to go!

[EXCITED]

Man, how could I let a punk kid like that beat me?

[DISAPPOINTED]

Shane and Ash both made it

through to the second round

like I knew they would, so now it's my turn.

Dustox combined with my skill?

There's no way I'm going to lose this round.

ANNOUNCER 'C Block teams are in position'

'so let's begin the final match of the first round.'

Go, Beautifly!

[APPEARING]

Beautifly, just head straight for that ring!

[EXERTION]

Go, Dustox!

[APPEARING]

[EXERTION]

Now, head for the goal!

Beautifly, use Gust

and blow them all away from there!

[GUST MOVE]

[STRUGGLING]

Thank you, that was very helpful.

Now, ride that Gust right down to the goal, Dustox!

[EXCITED]/[EXERTION]

[EXCITED]

ANNOUNCER 'Goal!'

ANNOUNCER 'Cleverly using his opponent's own attack'

'James and his Dustox have made it through to the second round.'

Thank you, thank you!

[PLEASED]

Wait, what just happened?

[DISAPPOINTED]

Got to admit, James is a pretty good Pokéringer after all.

I guess, but I still don't trust him

he's got to be up to something.

Come on!

Step up and give your Pokémon a fabulous massage

to relieve its stress.

After a hard day of flying, it's just the thing to restore

your Pokémon's energy, take a look.

[mumbling]

Wouldn't you like your Pokémon to be as relaxed as this one?

Yes, I want you to do that for my Golbat.

And my Skiploom.

Right this way.

Is the net ready?

Ready and waiting for a flock of flying Pokémon.

[AFFIRMATIVE]

ANNOUNCER 'We're seeing some fantastic battles'

'in this competition.'

'Ash and Shane, competing as Pokéringers'

'for the very first time'

'have both reached the semi-finals.'

'Along with James, who has progressed beautifully as well.'

'We'll now move to the next stage'

'and begin one-on-one battles!'

I can't believe it, can you?

ASH Yeah, it's really cool we're in the semi-finals together.

Now, let's both win, then we'll face each other in the finals.

[AGREEMENT]

[EXERTION]

Taillow, go! Capture that Ring!

[EXERTION]/[PAINED]

That's it, now head for the goal!

[EXCITED]

ANNOUNCER 'Goal!'

Alright! We're in the finals, Taillow!

[EXCITED]

ANNOUNCER 'The start signal for this semi-final battle'

'went off eight minutes ago, but neither James nor Shane'

'has moved a muscle.'

Why are they both just standing there?

I think both of them are waiting for the wind to be just right.

[thinking] The wind's been flat for a while.

We're due for a good strong breeze any second now.

[thinking] He's waiting to climb with the wind

but there's something about the way that cloud is moving.

- Do it! - Go!

[EXERTION]

ANNOUNCER 'They're both using the updraft to climb quickly'

'toward the ring balloon.'

You're winning, Swablu!

Get to that ring and grab it.

Ah. Dustox stop now!

[EXERTION]

What? But why?

[PAINED]

Swablu!

Dustox, Tackle now while it's blinded!

[TACKLE MOVE]

[PAINED]

[EXCITED]

[EXERTION]

ANNOUNCER 'Goal!'

'His brilliant use of the sun puts James into the finals!'

Ah, Master would be proud.

[PROUD]

Wow, now it's down to James and Ash.

And James is pretty good!

- Ah. - Mm.

[DISAPPOINTED]

Don't worry about it, Swablu.

You were great, you deserve a rest.

[thinking] Alright, Ash, it's up to you now.

JAMES Get ready, you're going down next.

[laughing]

We'll see about that.

[ANGRY]

JESSIE 'See? We weren't lying.'

'They are much more relaxed now.'

There's something about a net that really helps calm you down.

Let's blow this popsicle stand

before those trainers come back.

Right, go get James and make it snappy.

Yep, roger that.

ANNOUNCER 'The ring balloon has been released'

'and both Pokéringers are in position.'

'The final round of the Pokéringer Competition'

'is underway.'

- 'James.' - Huh?

JAMES 'Meowth? What are you doing?'

[thinking] Mission accomplished.

Your orders are, return to base at once

and prepare for escape.

Yikes! Are you kidding? No way am I leaving now.

[thinking] I'm in the finals, you blockhead.

You'll have to wait until I win.

Nah!

We're here to steal stuff

not for you to show off.

[thinking] I repeat, return to base immediately.

That is an order!

I am not leaving until this battle is won.

I have to fulfill my destiny.

A Pokéringer, like my Master before me!

- Understand? - Huh?

[grunts]

Ow! James, you are so gonna pay for that!

ANNOUNCER 'Let the match begin!'

Go, Taillow!

[APPEARING]

Go, Dustox!

[APPEARING]

ANNOUNCER 'It's a battle of Taillow's spunk'

'versus the skill of Dustox.'

Now, Dustox, Psybeam!

[PSYBEAM MOVE]

[PAINED]

- Whoa! - Whoa! A direct hit!

Hang in there, Taillow!

Come on, you've got to break free of it.

[STRUGGLING]/[EXERTION]

ANNOUNCER 'Taillow manages to escape that Psybeam!'

[SHOCKED]

Taillow, Wing Attack!

[WING ATTACK MOVE]

[PAINED]

- My Dustox! - Grab the ring, Taillow!

[EXERTION]

[ANGRY]

ANNOUNCER 'Can Dustox catch up before Taillow grabs the ring?'

'Wait! The wind!'

- Watch out! - Dustox, move away from there!

[PANICKED]

[PAINED]

Taillow!

ANNOUNCER 'Unbelievable!'

'A flash tornado, the kind Crossgate Town'

'is so famous for.'

I was afraid one would be coming soon

but this is really bad timing.

No way either of them is getting the ring.

BROCK 'Yeah, they'll just have to wait for the tornado to clear.'

Listen up, Dustox.

The second that tornado clears

you head for the ring.

[AGREEMENT]

I'm not just going to sit here

and wait for the weather.

That's exactly what they'll expect.

[AGREEMENT]

Go, Taillow!

[CONFIDENT]

[gasping]

ANNOUNCER 'Ash has sent Taillow'

'straight into the tornado.'

'Is he crazy?'

Think you can battle that wind, huh?

Rookie mistake.

[AGREEMENT]

[FOCUSED]

You can make it. Remember, I believe in you, Taillow!

[EXERTION]

[DETERMINED]

[PAINED]

Don't give up yet!

Come on and show me that fighting spirit!

[CONFIDENT]

Huh?

[AMAZED]

[CONFIDENT]

Uh-oh!

[WORRIED]

- Taillow! - It evolved to Swellow!

Wow!

Cool! Alright, Swellow, go capture that ring!

[EXCITED]

[SPINNING WING ATTACK MOVE]

ANNOUNCER 'Swellow has charged'

'back into the tornado'

'with new strength, and a Spinning Wing Attack.'

'And it's closing in on the ring!'

[EXERTION]

'And now diving for the goal!'

Stop it, Dustox, use your Poison Sting!

[AGREEMENT]

[POISON STING MOVE]/[DODGING]

Alright. Hurry and grab it!

Get it back, Swellow!

[EXERTION]

- Swellow! - Go faster!

It's mine!

Use Wing Attack, but aim it at the ring!

[WING ATTACK MOVE]

DUSTOX [EXERTION]

ANNOUNCER 'What an incredible shot!'

'Goal!'

'And a victory for Ash Ketchum and his Swellow!'

Alright!

[EXCITED]

[PLEASED]

You were awesome.

[HAPPY]

POKEDEX Swellow, the Swallow Pokémon.

Swellow uses its impressive dive-b*mber speed

and its large talons to capture its prey.

I'm sorry, Master.

I was so close, but I failed you.

[cheering]

[Jessie laughing]

Huh? What's going on here?

JESSIE Prepare for trouble as we steal then split.

MEOWTH Make it double as we get away with it.

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. - And Meowth.

Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light.

So surrender now or prepare to fight.

[AFFIRMATIVE]

[HICCUP]

Ah! Team Rocket!

[SURPRISE]

Hey, They're stealing Pokémon.

Hey, that's my Golbat!

What's the big idea?

Give me back my Skiploom!

Quit blubbering and get in here.

MEOWTH We got to make our escape.

Go, Swellow, use Wing Attack.

[WING ATTACK MOVE]

[RELIEVED]

[screams]

[HAPPY]

My Skiploom!

Now, Pikachu, Thunderbolt!

[THUNDERBOLT MOVE]

[screaming]

I failed!

- What else is new? - Not this.

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

WOBBUFFET [AGREEMENT]

ANNOUNCER 'Congratulations to Ash Ketchum'

'this year's winner of the Pokéringer Competition'

'and new honorary citizen of Crossgate Town!'

- Ash, that was really great! - Way to go!

That might've been your best ever.

Bet you were surprised when Taillow evolved into a Swellow.

You guys make a great team, Ash.

No one here could ever deny

that the best Pokéringer won today.

That's cool, Shane. Thank you.

[AGREEMENT]

He's right, we do make a good team, Swellow.

[AGREEMENT]

NARRATOR In the midst of competition

Taillow evolves into Swellow

helping Ash chalk up a victory

in one of his most demanding battles.

Reminded once more of the value of teamwork

our heroes leave the Pokéringer Competition triumphant

and once again set out for Fortree City.

♪ 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 ♪♪