08x18 - The Great Eight Fate!

[bunniefuu]

NARRATOR As their boat slices through the crystal clear water

our heroes' island hopping adventures

are really heating up.

They've made it to Sootopolis Island

where Ash hopes to get his eighth and final Gym badge.

There's plenty of anticipation in the air, especially for Ash

as he contemplates his upcoming battle.

Well, Pikachu, it's finally time to win our eighth badge.

Are you up for it, pal?

[AGREEMENT]

Good, then there's no way anyone'll be able to stop us.

[EXCITED]

♪ Oh oh-oh-oh oh-oh ♪

♪ I'm unbeatable ♪

♪ Walking down this endless highway ♪

♪ With nothing but my friends beside me ♪

♪ We'll never give in we'll never rest ♪

♪ Advance Battle is the ultimate test ♪

♪ From the earth the land the sea and sky ♪

♪ They can never win but they sure can try ♪

♪ Oh oh-oh-oh oh-oh ♪

♪ I'm unbeatable ♪

♪ Pokémon ♪

♪ Advanced Battle ♪

♪ Oh oh-oh-oh oh-oh ♪

♪ I'm undefeatable ♪

♪ From the stars and the ancient past ♪

♪ They come to play but they'll never last ♪

♪ Oh oh-oh-oh oh-oh ♪

♪ I'm unbeatable ♪

♪ Pokémon ♪

♪ Advanced Battle ♪

♪ Oh oh-oh-oh oh-oh ♪

♪ I'm undefeatable ♪

♪ Oh oh oh ♪

♪ Advanced Battle ♪

♪ I'm unbeatable ♪

♪ Pokémon ♪♪

ASH "The Great Eight Fate!"

[gasps]

ASH 'Sootopolis City.'

MAY 'It's even prettier than I thought.'

Ha-ha! There's nothing better than earnin' a new badge.

We better hurry and get there before Ash explodes.

- He's pumped alright. - Yeah, well.

The Sootopolis Gym is all that's left between him

and the Hoenn League Championship.

Huh?

Fireworks.

There must be a festival. Come on.

- Right behind ya. - Uh.. Max, May.

Where you goin'? Wait for me.

Uh, wait, we'll go after my Gym battle.

[indistinct chatter]

MAYOR Since our beautiful town has always been known

and praised as "The Water City," it is only fitting that

a new piece of water art has been brought to life here.

And so, I'll introduce it to you

and as the mayor of Sootopolis City

I can think of no greater honor.

[applauds]

But of course, none of this would've been possible

without the tireless help of our beloved Gym Leader, Juan.

So, that's his name.

Now, without any further ado it's my great pleasure

to introduce our man, Juan.

[crowd chanting] We love Juan.

We love Juan. We love Juan.

Everyone's going crazy over him.

I guess he's a star.

Ah-ha!

[indistinct chattering]

I'm truly humbled.

[crowd cheering]

JUAN 'I thank you all from the bottom of my heart'

for being here on this special day.

I also want to thank the Mayor for his kind words on my behalf

but I'm afraid they're far better suited to my Pokémon.

Dear Pokémon, come greet your fans.

[APPEARING]

[APPEARING]/[PLEASED]

And he's a Water Pokémon Trainer. How cool is that!

They all took the stage beautifully.

'That must be the prettiest Milotic I've ever seen.'

BROCK 'They've all been raised well, that's for sure.'

You know, Juan could be a really great Pokémon Coordinator.

Now, for your pleasure

sit back, and feast your eyes.

[WATER g*n MOVE]

Hmm-hmm, hmm..

[WATER g*n MOVE]/[BUBBLE MOVE]

[EXCITED]

[crowd cheers]

- Awesome. - Aw!

I've never seen anyone use Water Attacks

in such a beautiful and creative way.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all so much.

Now, we'd like to..

CHIMECHO [EXERTION]

What is that?

Where is that sad tone coming from?

- Huh? - From us, up here.

That's right, Chimecho's voice

is the perfect thing for your water theme.

[EXERTION]

- Oh, no! - Team Rocket.

JUAN Such a wonderful timbre.

It's obvious your Chimecho has been raised with much love.

JAMES Ah, you think so? Thank you.

I must assume, you are famous

talented artists of the highest order.

Prepare for trouble in its highest form.

And then make it double

since our trouble is far from the norm.

JESSIE To protect the world from devastation.

JAMES Hmm, 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 James.

Team Rocket blasts off

with artsy flair at the speed of light.

So surrender now, or prepare yourselves

for one flairish fight.

Meowth, that's right.

[AGREEMENT]

- Careful, Juan. - Those three are dangerous.

How could they be dangerous?

They're from an evil organization called Team Rocket.

MAX 'And I'm sure that they're here to steal all of your Pok mon.'

Hey, big mouth.

As a fellow artiste

I know a Gym Leader's Pokémon are invaluable.

So we'll artfully steal 'em away.

Such a colossal waste, opting for money

over the gift of exceptional Pokémon.

Exceptional Pokémon don't pay the bills.

- But your Pokémon will. - Don't you mean ours?

[SHOCKED]

[PAINED]

Nothing like Electric Attacks to dry out Water Pokémon.

Watch and learn. Art is in the making.

- We've got to go help Juan. - Right.

I am genuinely touched by your concern

but please have no fear.

[gasps]

[SAFEGUARD MOVE]

[MUD SPORT MOVE]

[MIRROR COAT MOVE]

- A three-for-one attack? - You're right, Jess.

There's Safeguard, Mud Sport and Mirror Coat.

So by pooling their Defensive Attacks

then the whole group is safe.

Great idea.

Alright, Milotic. Iron Tail now.

[IRON TAIL MOVE]

[RELIEVED]

Let's see. How about we wrap this up with Twister?

[TWISTER MOVE]

For artists of the highest order, we've been grounded.

Well, not exactly, look around you.

Yeah, we're still flyin' higher then ever.

[AGREEMENT]

TEAM ROCKET And we're blasting off again.

There they go. Ha-ha!

His Milotic sent 'em flying with one attack.

GIRL A 'Milotic is so awesome.'

GIRL B 'And Juan is the greatest.'

So, those are the Gym Leader's Pokémon, huh?

[EXCITED]

And you youngsters, I'm assuming

this is your first visit to our fair city.

- That's right. - Sir, my name is Ash.

And I'm from Pallet Town.

I'm here to challenge you to a Gym battle.

I see, young man.

Then I accept your challenge.

[engine revving]

Your performance was so beautiful

I felt like I was watching a Pokémon Contest.

Well, how kind of you to say that, May.

That takes me back.

I was a Pokémon Coordinator myself many years ago.

Well, it doesn't surprise me one bit.

Please, won't you tell us more?

JUAN 'I won my five ribbons and entered the Grand Festival.'

I even won myself a Ribbon Cup and I owe it

all to Milotic and all my other wonderful Pokémon.

- So many amazing memories. - Wait a minute.

Then that means you actually

won the Grand Festival, didn't you?

- Whoa, awesome. - You're a Contest champion?

And now, you're a Gym leader too? Wow!

I'll bet you use your Contest stuff

in your battling, don't you?

I've always thought there should be a little art in everything

I do, whether it's with Pokémon Contests or Pokémon battles.

And so, I've raised my Water Pokémon to move as elegantly

as they possibly can in every one of their many techniques.

I guess you could say all of my Pokémon are works of art.

Every one of them in their own special way.

BROCK 'Yeah, I agree with that.'

'So how did you end up specializing in Water Pokémon?'

Well, Brock, I believe I was initially attracted to them

because of their beautifully streamlined physiques.

And also, of course, their weakness against

Electric Attacks.

You think that weakness is good?

Oh, yes, and that's just one of the many things I've learned

throughout all of my years in contest battling.

One of the best ways to add appeal to a contest battle

is to stay so close to making a disastrous mistake

that you're constantly battling in real danger.

I've learned to not just be defensive against the trickiest

and most difficult attacks, but to wait

for each Attack and then defend.

When one is able to achieve split-second timing

while giving perfect commands and defending successfully

Trainer and Pokémon can become as one.

To be able to accomplish these ideals

each and every time I battle is my artistic goal.

- You mean-- - So what you're saying is.

That there are other ways to use the usual

Defensive Attacks against Electric Attacks?

Hey, Ash, Juan's gonna be tough to beat, don't you think?

Uh, so I guess we'll just have to show Juan

that we've got a few ideals up our own sleeves.

If you know what I mean. We can do it, Pikachu, right?

[AGREEMENT]

Now, that's the spirit.

I look forward to seeing your battling artistry.

SEBASTIAN 'Hello, Sir, and welcome back.'

JUAN I'd like you to meet our challenger Ash and his friends.

It is indeed a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

- Nice, to meet you. - My name is Sebastian.

And I have the distinct honor of being

the butler at the Sootopolis Gym.

If you please, I'd like for you to follow me inside.

[gasps]

MAY 'The whole b*ttlefield is a gigantic swimming pool.'

If you would please step inside the Trainer's box, Master Ash.

Oh, yeah.

This Gym battle between the Gym Leader Juan

and his challenger Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town will now begin.

Each will use five Pokémon.

For the first round, they both will choose two of their

five Pokémon and then engage in a double battle.

Double battle?

The first round will be over when both of either

the Gym leader's or the challenger's Pokémon

are no longer able to battle.

And for the second round, they will then use

their remaining Pokémon.

'Your second round will be a one-on-one battle'

'and will be over when all of either participant's Pokémon'

'are unable to continue battling.'

'During the match, only the challenger'

'is allowed to substitute his Pokémon.'

Whoa, this battle's got an awful lot of unique rules with it.

There's a reason for that.

It'll test Ash's response

to a bunch of different situations.

That's why this is the last Gym.

For any Trainer consumed with the desire to enter

the Hoenn League Championship, they must first be able to adapt

to constantly changing circumstances

in the face of any challenge, like water.

'Now, let's see, the magnitude of your desire, Ash.'

Hmm..

Let us now begin.

Go, Sealeo.

[APPEARING]

He's starting with a Sealeo.

POKEDEX Sealeo, the Ball Roll Pokémon.

Sealeo is the evolved form of Spheal.

Upon seeing something new, it tends to roll it

on its snout, testing its smell and texture.

Number two. Seaking, let's go.

[APPEARING]

Hey, that's a Seaking.

Um, wow, let's see.

POKEDEX Seaking, the Goldfish Pokémon.

Seaking is the evolved form of Goldeen.

Its sharp, drill-like horn is capable of crushing even stone.

Okay, Pikachu, you're up.

[DETERMINED]

For my second Pokémon, I choose Snorunt.

[HAPPY]

Now that we're ready, Ash

you're free to attack however you like.

That's just what I'm gonna do.

Pikachu, use Thunderbolt on Sealeo, now.

[THUNDERBOLT MOVE]

Seaking, use Horn Drill.

[HORN DRILL MOVE]

- Hey, what's that? - Now, let's send it flying.

[HORN DRILL MOVE]

[PAINED]

Snorunt, are you okay?

[PAINED]

Hey, Snorunt! Can you get up?

[DETERMINED]

Alright, let's go.

Juan covered up his Pokémon's weakness with an attack.

Yeah, just like what he was telling us.

And he did it with the same kind of style and grace

like he was competing in a Pokémon Contest.

Ash, if those simple moves caught you off guard

then this won't be much of a match.

Let's see what you think about this.

Pikachu, use Thunder now.

[THUNDER MOVE]

Use Horn Drill, go.

[HORN DRILL MOVE]

[EXERTION]

[PAINED]

[STRUGGLING]

[PANTING]

[grunts]

Now, Sealeo. Use Blizzard.

[BLIZZARD MOVE]

[WORRIED]

That's cold.

Sealeo's got one serious Blizzard Attack.

And it hit both Pokémon at the same time.

[UNAFFECTED]/[FREEZING]

Snorunt seems okay.

Of course, Snorunt's an Ice Type so the cold wouldn't bother it.

Even so, if it doesn't move quickly

it'll get covered with ice.

Hey, we can make use of Blizzard.

Snorunt, Icy Wind.

[ICY WIND MOVE]

- Snorunt froze the Blizzard. - That was a pretty risky move.

Yeah, but that's Ash we're talking about.

Go get that obstacle out of the way.

SEAKING [HYPER BEAM MOVE]

SEALEO [AURORA BEAM MOVE]

Alright, you guys, use that ice to jump.

[EXERTION]

Well, look at that.

[NOTICING]/[EXERTION]

Now, that was certainly an excellent move.

Pikachu, Iron Tail.

Snorunt, Headbutt.

[IRON TAIL MOVE]/[HEADBUTT MOVE]

[chuckles] Now, Sealeo, use Aurora Beam.

And Seaking, use Hyper Beam.

[HYPER BEAM MOVE]

[AURORA BEAM MOVE]/[EXERTION]

[PAINED]/[WORRIED]

Snorunt!

[PAINED]

[DAZED]

Snorunt is unable to battle.

- Oh, no, it lost. - I hope it's alright.

Having your Pokémon jump up on the falling ice

to close in on us was creative thinking on your part, Ash.

But you may have aimed a little bit too high.

[grunts]

Ta-da! Am I fabulous or what?

You look more like him than him.

Yeah, from the top of your head

to the bottom of your penny loafer.

Those Twerps won't know what hit 'em.

And they won't know who hit them either.

Watch out, here we come.

[AGREEMENT]

Now, for my next Pokémon.

Corphish, I choose you.

[READY]

JUAN I see, so you're interested in going head to head now.

Corphish, Bubble Beam.

[BUBBLE BEAM MOVE]

Dive in and dodge it.

[EXERTION]

Sealeo, use Aurora Beam.

And Seaking, use Horn Attack.

[AURORA BEAM MOVE]

[HORN ATTACK MOVE]

They're coming from below you, Pikachu.

[EXERTION]

[SURPRISED]/[HORN ATTACK MOVE]

Behind you!

[PANIC]/[DETERMINED]

Use Horn Drill.

[AFFIRMATIVE]/[HORN DRILL MOVE]

CORPHISH [PANIC]

Uh, Corphish, no.

[HORN DRILL MOVE]/[PANIC]

[PAINED]/[WORRIED]

Pikachu, now use Iron Tail on Seaking.

[AFFIRMATIVE]/[IRON TAIL MOVE]

SEAKING [PANIC]

Sealeo, Aurora Beam.

[AURORA BEAM MOVE]

PIKACHU/SEAKING [IRON TAIL MOVE]/[PAINED]

[gasps]

Pikachu.

[DAZED]

SEBASTIAN 'Seaking is unable to battle.'

But where's Pikachu and Corphish?

BROCK 'Did that Aurora Beam take them both out?'

Pikachu! Corphish!

PIKACHU [YELLS]

[PROUD]

- They're okay. - Alright.

MAX 'Awesome. Pikachu's surfing.'

Yes, now, let's keep this going, guys.

Things are finally getting interesting.

Ice Ball, Sealeo, now.

[ICE BALL MOVE]

Quick, Harden, Corphish.

[HARDEN MOVE]

And Ice Ball once more.

[ICE BALL MOVE]

Vicegrip.

[VICEGRIP MOVE]

Hey, Ash, heads up.

Ice Ball does more damage each time it strikes.

[ICE BALL MOVE]

[IRON TAIL MOVE]

I know, but Ice Ball takes longer to launch

each time it's used too, and that's when I move in.

[ICE BALL MOVE]

[PAINED]

What?

[PAINED]

That was so quick. But how?

You forgot.

My Pokémon are trained to be both elegant and speedy.

Sealeo, use your Ice Ball now.

[ICE BALL MOVE]

[gasps]

Looks like it's all over.

Pikachu, use Thunder.

[AFFIRMATIVE]/[THUNDER MOVE]

[grunts]

You see?

That ones my fifth Ice Ball.

And you can't move it.

He should have dodged it while he had the chance.

Maybe so, but it's too late now.

Don't give up yet. Full power, Pikachu.

[THUNDER MOVE]

[gasps]

[SHOCKED]

[PAINED]

Corphish, quick. Crabhammer.

[CRABHAMMER MOVE]

[PAINED]

[DAZED]

SEBASTIAN 'Sealeo is unable to battle.'

The first match goes to the challenger

Ash from Pallet Town.

Yeah, Pikachu and Corphish. Way to go.

[HAPPY]

Ash pulled it out again.

I thought they were goners after that fifth Ice Ball.

Yeah, that was a great battle.

Very good work, Ash. Quite the creative combination there.

Thanks a lot, Juan.

SEBASTIAN As we move along to the second round

participants will switch boxes as we change up the field.

Check out that b*ttlefield. Wow.

PIKACHU [EXCITED]

This one's got a lot more land than the other one.

I'm gonna go with Grovyle.

I choose you.

[PROUD]

It's Grovyle.

Looks like Ash didn't waste any time choosing.

I'll go with Luvdisc. Come on out!

[READY]

Ah! It's so cute.

POKEDEX Luvdisc, the Rendezvous Pokémon.

Luvdisc group together during breeding season

'covering the surface of the ocean in a brilliant pink.'

Begin!

Go Grovyle, b*llet Seed now.

[b*llet SEED MOVE]

Dodge it and use Water Pulse.

[EXERTION]/[WATER PULSE MOVE]

Uh, it's fast.

[WATER PULSE MOVE]

Dodge it.

[EXERTION]

- Grovyle's pretty quick, too. - Now, Leaf Blade.

[LEAF BLADE MOVE]

Dodge, Luvdisc, and use Sweet Kiss.

[EXERTION]

[grunts]

[SWEET KISS MOVE]

[STUNNED]

No, Grovyle's hit.

[WORRIED]

What's happening with Grovyle?

That Sweet Kiss is taking effect.

Then that means.. Oh, no.

NARRATOR Ash's battle against Juan

has proven to be one of his toughest yet.

Just what will happen to Grovyle

when under the spell of a Sweet Kiss Attack?

Will Ash be able to recover from this

or will it be enough to keep him

from earning his final badge?

Stay tuned to find out!

♪ Walking down this endless highway ♪

♪ With nothing but my friends beside me ♪

♪ We'll never give in we'll never rest ♪

♪ Advance Battle is the ultimate test ♪

♪ Oh oh-oh-oh oh-oh ♪

♪ I'm unbeatable ♪

♪ Pokémon ♪

♪ Advanced Battle ♪

♪ Oh oh-oh-oh oh-oh ♪

♪ I'm undefeatable ♪

♪ Oh oh oh ♪

♪ Advanced Battle ♪

♪ I'm unbeatable ♪

♪ Pokémon ♪♪