08x44 - The Symbol Life

[bunniefuu]

NARRATOR As our heroes new journey continues to unfold

they find themselves on the express route

to the first area of the Battle Frontier.

The impressive Battle Factory.

Home to none other than..

[chuckling] I thought perhaps I wouldn't need an introduction..

But since that's not the case

I'm Noland, the guy in charge here.

Which makes me the Frontier Brain.

[CONFIDENT]

- Articuno! - No way!

NARRATOR They meet none other than the Legendary Pokémon, Articuno!

In order to challenge the Frontier Brain

Ash contacted the Charicific Valley

to send over his Charizard

enabling Ash to counter Ice with Fire.

Charizard, I'm countin' on you, pal.

[DETERMINED]

NARRATOR It's only the first of many tests yet to come

but one thing's for sure

going up against Noland and his Articuno

Ash will have to be at his very best.

♪ Oh oh oh ♪

♪ I'm unbeatable ♪

♪ Looking down this endless highway ♪

♪ Nothing but my friends beside me ♪

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

♪ Advanced 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 ♪

♪ I'm unbeatable ♪

♪ Pokémon Advanced Battle ♪

♪ 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 ♪

♪ I'm unbeatable ♪

♪ Pokémon Advanced Battle ♪

♪ Oh oh oh ♪

♪ I'm undefeatable ♪

♪ Advanced Battle ♪

♪ I'm unbeatable ♪

♪ Pokémon ♪♪

ASH "The Symbol Life."

[instrumental music]

[CONFIDENT]

Now, Charizard practice going from a steep dive

to a steep climb.

[FOCUSED]

[DETERMINED]

That was great.

I see you've been training, is that right?

PIKACHU/CHARIZARD [IMPRESSED]/[PROUD]

How about you show me some of your attacks, okay?

Let's see Flamethrower!

[FLAMETHROWER MOVE]

'Whoa, look at that!'

Amazing!

Charizard's even more powerful now than before

back in the Johto League Championships.

Yeah, probably from going up against all the other Charizard

in the Charicific Valley.

I don't get why Ash left it there

and missed all of that time they could've been training together.

He thought gaining strength was the most important thing for it.

So he sent it to Liza and told her

to make it the strongest Charizard in the world.

Let's see if it worked.

I hope so.

It's pretty cool, huh?

Those two must be so happy to be together again.

Dragonbreath, Charizard, go!

[DRAGONBREATH MOVE]

Wow, your power seems excellent.

You're a lot stronger, no doubt about that.

[IMPRESSED]

[CONFIDENT]

Now, next up, let me see some high-altitude flying.

[DETERMINED]

Wow! Just look at that speed.

It flew up there so fast I could barely even see it.

Well, well, well, if it isn't the Twerp's Charizard.

I can still feel the scorch marks from our last encounter.

I guess since he knew he'd be going up against

a bad-boy Pokémon like that Articuno

he'd have to fight fire with real fire.

This should be a good battle. Let's have lunch and watch.

[laughs] James made egg salad.

And that's why we never win.

You two are less dedicated to evil than you are to eating.

- Huh? - But..

Even bad guys eat sometimes.

Yeah, and I worked hard on those sandwiches.

Mm-mm-mm.

Try forgetting about food for a minute

and think about this battle.

We let Charizard tire Articuno out

then we swoop in and snatch it up.

You really think it'll be that easy?

Of course, it will.

The best plan is always the simplest plan.

And when it comes to simple minds, no one beats ours.

How true.

Yeah, but what if Articuno wins?

No way could we ever capture it at full power.

That's okay.

If Articuno wins

then we'll just capture Charizard.

That's good.

One of the two is bound to be weak enough

for us to get our mitts on!

Today is the day..

We put the plan into play..

And then we make our getaway!

[AGREEMENT]

This is the Battle Factory's main arena.

This is so cool!

I can hardly wait for my battle.

SCOTT 'The construction and the lighting'

'were specifically designed for that purpose.'

Yep, we're ready to go.

- 'Hello, Ash!' - Huh?

I hope our b*ttlefield here is everything you were expecting.

'It sure is, Noland!'

It's been a while since I had a top-notch opponent.

I hope you realize I won't hold back.

I'll be giving this everything I've got.

Uh-huh. That's what I'm expecting.

Articuno!

[EXCITED]

[FOCUSED]

[PROUD]

Wow, I've never seen a more awesome Pokémon.

It's really beautiful. That's for sure.

My turn. So come on out, Charizard!

[DETERMINED]

That's one fine Charizard.

But I hope you didn't choose it thinking

the type by itself gives you the advantage over me.

Of course not. This will get decided by our abilities.

Let's head up to the stands.

We'll get a better view from there.

An epic battle like this one doesn't come along very often.

MAX/MAY Yeah!

BROCK Good idea.

JESSIE 'If we fall off this roof, Meowth'

you'd better hope I land on top of you.

JAMES What are we doing up here anyway?

and don't tell me it's for the view.

Nope! It's all part of my brilliant strategy.

Inside of this arena, right underneath us

Articuno and Charizard will be flying around

and battling, right?

All we gotta do is cut a hole in the ceiling, then sit and wait.

Sooner or later Articuno's bound to fly close to the hole

and when it does, we grab it and make our getaway!

The best part is those Twerps won't be able to

do a thing about it!

A wicked plan.

Not to mention evil and underhanded.

[chortling]

Wow, Articuno versus Charizard!

Kind of a dream matchup, isn't it?

Yeah, this should be good.

I've never actually seen these two battle.

Get 'em, Ash! You can do it!

SERGIO 'We will now begin this Frontier Battle'

'between Battle Factory Brain, Noland and the challenger'

'Ash from Pallet Town.'

Huh?

[STARTLED]

The roof is opening up.

Oh, wow!

The roof was actually my idea.

We wanted an arena that would be the only one of its kind.

By opening the ceiling for air battles

we make sure that flying Pokémon have the room

to use their full potential.

JESSIE I don't remember this being part of your plan Meowth!

[screaming]

I can't hang on, save me!

[all screaming]

[groaning]

- Huh! - Team Rocket!

What are you doing here?

Prepare for trouble, we just dropped in.

Make it double, Jess, take a spin.

An evil as old as the galaxy.

Sent here to fulfill our destiny.

Plus there's me!

To denounce the evils of truth and love.

To extend our reach to the stars above.

- Jessie. - James.

Don't forget me!

Wherever there's peace in the universe..

- Team Rocket.. - Will be there..

JESSIE/JAMES/MEOWTH To make everything worse!

WOBBUFFET/CHIMECHO [PROUD]

JESSIE Alright, change of plan

we'll have to use force to take Articuno!

- Right! - Get outta here, Team Rocket!

[ANGRY]

JESSIE/JAMES/MEOWTH Hand over that Articuno!

No way! Articuno, Ice Beam!

[ICE BEAM MOVE]

[screaming]

JESSIE/JAMES/MEOWTH Could someone turn up the heat?

I will! Flamethrower!

[FLAMETHROWER MOVE]

JESSIE/JAMES/MEOWTH That'll do!

Now, Pikachu, Thunderbolt!

[THUNDERBOLT MOVE]

JESSIE/JAMES/MEOWTH [screaming]

Whose idea was that?

Meowth's the one who thought of it!

I never thought we'd use it!

[FRUSTRATED]

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

Now, finally, we can start this match.

Right! Ready when you are!

Trainers, begin!

Go, Charizard!

[DETERMINED]

Go, Articuno!

[DETERMINED]

Come on, Ash.

[laughs] Now I'll get to see Ash in battle.

I sure hope he knows what he's up against.

Charizard, use Flamethrower!

[FLAMETHROWER MOVE]

Articuno, counter with Ice Beam!

[ICE BEAM MOVE]

[PAINED]

Yes! Way to go, Charizard!

[PROUD]

Awesome, Charizard pushed back

Articuno's Ice Beam like it was nothing.

A Fire type should always have the advantage

against an Ice type, so Ash should be okay.

Just as I expected. Charizard's a match even for an Articuno.

Careful. Don't count your victory just yet.

Articuno, back into the air.

[DETERMINED]

Charizard, hit it with Flamethrower again!

[FLAMETHROWER MOVE]

[DETERMINED]

It dodged!

[SURPRISED]

[DETERMINED]

CHARIZARD/ARTICUNO [SHOCKED]/[CONFIDENT]

I don't think that Flamethrower affected it at all.

Yeah, that's 'cause it didn't even hit.

Well, it's a fast and elegant Pokémon.

Possibly even more amazing in battle.

And why should we expect less? It is legendary.

So, how will Ash deal with it?

Let's go! Spin into a deep dive now!

[DETERMINED]

Go! Charge right for it!

[DETERMINED]

Articuno! Mist Attack!

[MIST ATTACK MOVE]

[SHOCKED]

'Hey! Where'd it go?'

[CONFUSED]

[PAINED]

Charizard!

[WORRIED]

Mist is usually used to defend or escape.

I've never seen it used like that before.

[REVIVING]

[ATTACK]

Charizard! Dragonbreath!

Dodge it!

[DRAGONBREATH MOVE]

[EXERTION]

[PAINED]

Hurry, and grab hold of it before it can recover!

[DETERMINED]

Dodge it, Articuno!

[DETERMINED]

Not again!

Right after a direct hit from Dragonbreath.

How does it recover like that?

Never underestimate the supreme power of a Legendary Pokémon.

Go, use another Ice Beam!

[ICE BEAM MOVE]

[PAINED]

A direct hit!

It's okay.

'Against a Fire type, that attack should have no effect.'

[DETERMINED]

[FOCUSED]

Now, another Flamethrower!

Dodge, and then use Steel Wing!

[FLAMETHROWER MOVE]

[FOCUSED]

Uh, watch out, Ash!

[STEEL WING MOVE]

[PAINED]

[gasping]

[PAINED]

Oh, no! Charizard!

[intense music]

[WORRIED]

Charizard! Can you get up?

[STRUGGLING]

Articuno, hit it with Water Pulse!

[WATER PULSE MOVE]

Get up, quick! Dodge it!

[PAINED]

Oh! Charizard!

[SHOCKED]

Oh, wow! That was a direct hit from Water Pulse!

And super effective.

So this Articuno can use Water Type Attacks too, huh?

- 'And that's not all.' - Huh!

Not only is Articuno great

but I think Noland's got Ash's number.

- What do you mean by that? - His number?

You have to have practically a direct hit

for Water Pulse to be at all effective.

So Noland patiently waited for his chance.

In the meantime, using Articuno's speed and agility

to dodge every one of Charizard's attacks.

Then when he had a clear shot, he really let Charizard have it.

That's what I mean. He's always a move or two ahead.

Come on, Ash.

You're still in this battle.

Let's go. Get up, Charizard.

[STRUGGLING]

[thinking] Charizard's not looking good.

I may only have one choice left.

CHARIZARD [EXERTION]

Well, that's it for attacks.

Huh?

[DETERMINED]

Charizard, have you..

Have you learned how to use that attack all by yourself?

CHARIZARD [PROUD]

[DETERMINED]

[thinking] No, not yet. It's still too soon to use that attack.

NOLAND Articuno! Ice Beam!

[ICE BEAM MOVE]

Dodge it!

[EXERTION]

[FOCUSED]

[PAINED]

Now, Water Pulse, go!

[WATER PULSE MOVE]

[EXERTION]

He's created a combination with Ice Beam and Water Pulse!

Climb, Charizard!

[DETERMINED]

Go, Articuno!

[STRUGGLING]

Something's wrong with Charizard.

Now it looks like it's flying in slow motion.

Ah! Now I see why!

'Its wingtips froze in that Ice Beam attack!'

Ah! No wonder!

Now I get it, Noland knew all along

those Ice Beam attacks wouldn't do any direct damage.

He kept at it because he calculated that eventually

it would freeze Charizard's wingtips

and obviously he got it right.

Articuno, use Ice Beam and then Water Pulse!

[ICE BEAM MOVE]

[WATER PULSE MOVE]

Hit it with Flamethrower, now!

[FLAMETHROWER MOVE]

[PAINED]

Hit by another combination attack.

[grunting]

Okay, let's finish this now once and for all!

Climb quickly and get above Charizard!

ARTICUNO [DETERMINED]

Now's the time for that attack.

Charizard! Get above Articuno and use overheat!

[DETERMINED]

[SHOCKED]

[EXCITED]

I never knew Charizard could use Overheat, did you?

It never used it back in the Johto League.

Well, must've learned it while in the Charicific Valley.

And Ash kept it up his sleeve until he needed it!

But Overheat Attacks lose their effectiveness

and cause less damage to the opponent each time they're used.

So if Ash plans to win this battle

he'd better have something else up his sleeve!

Now, Charizard! One single strike!

Huh, alright, if that's how you wanna do it.

[DETERMINED]

Get set now!

We're almost there.

CHARIZARD/ARTICUNO [FOCUSED]

Now, Charizard, Overheat!

[OVERHEAT MOVE]

Water Pulse!

[WATER PULSE MOVE]

[DETERMINED]

[gasping]

[grunting]

Now, Steel Wing!

[STEEL WING MOVE]

[PAINED]

- Charizard! - Another direct hit!

Looks bad.

BROCK 'I don't think Charizard can take another attack.'

[PAINED]

[thinking] Can't use Overheat anymore, it won't be as effective.

Only one thing to do!

Ash, you've battled bravely but it's time for me to end this.

Articuno! Let's finish it off now with Steel Wing!

[AGREEMENT]

[STEEL WING MOVE]

[gasps]

Grab it now!

[DETERMINED]

[DETERMINED]

- What! No way! - Go, Charizard! Seismic Toss!

[SEISMIC TOSS MOVE]

ARTICUNO [STRUGGLING]

[dramatic music]

[grunting]

[PAINED]

[gasps]

[STRUGGLING]

[REVIVED]

[gasps]

[grunts]

- Charizard is unable to-- - 'Wait!'

- 'Wait!' - Huh!

Hold your judgment until the match is finished

beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Uh..

[PAINED]

[STRUGGLING]

[REVIVED]

[PAINED]

Articuno's unable to battle!

Therefore...our victor is Ash from Pallet Town!

Alright, Charizard!

[EXCITED]

[PROUD]

Wow, that was amazing!

Charizard was awesome!

Yeah, and they beat Articuno.

[thinking] I'm impressed, the kid just might have

what it takes to conquer the Battle Frontier!

Thank you, Charizard, you gave it all you had out there.

[HAPPY]

You did too, Articuno.

No shame in losing that battle, right?

[CONFIDENT]

- And as for you.. - Yeah?

I thought I was gonna win but you came from behind to beat me.

'I like your style, Ash.'

Thank you, Noland.

[PROUD]

You have something for him, Sergio?

Yes, I do.

[dramatic music]

This is a Frontier Symbol

and it is something that can only be earned

by winning here in the Battle Frontier.

So that's what they look like.

This is a Knowledge Symbol, Ash.

It is proof of your victory at the Battle Factory.

This is for you.

Thanks a lot, Noland!

[chuckles]

Yes! I won...a Knowledge Symbol!

PIKACHU/CHARIZARD [EXCITED]

Please accept this too, Ash.

What is it?

It's a portfolio for all your Symbols.

It's called a "Frontier Folio."

It's the least I can do since you gave me such a great battle.

[chuckles]

Thank you so much, Noland.

Pretty cool, huh, Pikachu?

[ENTHUSIASTIC]

[EXCITED]

So long, Articuno! I'll see you again soon!

Charizard, uh, time to say goodbye

but I'll see you again soon too.

[EXCITED]

Agh!

Charizard's showing its warm feelings for you.

BROCK/MAX/MAY [laughing]

So, Ash, listen, I was thinking for your next challenge

you should try the Battle Arena.

Battle Arena?

[CURIOUS]

There it is. And it's not too far from here. that's cool.

Great, then it's on to the Battle Arena

to win my next Frontier Symbol.

[EXCITED]

That's the spirit!

You can't lose, Ash, if you keep battling

the way you did here today.

Thanks. I'll do my best.

[CONFIDENT]

[EXCITED]

'Bye, Charizard.'

PIKACHU [HAPPY]

'Thank you.'

NARRATOR With help from his friend Charizard

Ash ends his first challenge in the Battle Frontier

by earning his very first Frontier Symbol.

Now, our heroes continue their journey toward the Battle Arena

safe in the knowledge that even more

exciting adventures lie just ahead.

♪ Looking down this endless highway ♪

♪ Nothing but my friends beside me ♪

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

♪ Advanced Battle is the ultimate test ♪

♪ Oh oh oh ♪

♪ I'm unbeatable ♪

♪ Pokémon Advanced Battle ♪

♪ Oh oh oh ♪

♪ I'm undefeatable ♪

♪ Advanced Battle ♪

♪ I'm unbeatable ♪

♪ Pokémon ♪♪