08x51 - The Saffron Con

[bunniefuu]

NARRATOR Ash and friends have finally made it to Saffron City

site of the next Pokémon Contest.

It's here that an excited May

hopes to win her first Kanto Ribbon!

Now, Squirtle, Munchlax, Combusken.

Let's go!

[EXCITED]

Look up there, guys!

That's Saffron Hall where the contest will be tomorrow.

MUNCHLAX/SQUIRTLE [YAWNING]

Ugh!

Huh, Munchlax and Squirtle don't seem very excited.

- I wouldn't worry. - Don't forget.

They've never been in a contest before.

[AGREEMENT]

What is it about this contest

that has you so much more excited?

You wanted to come see the hall

without even stopping for lunch, first!

Partly, it's about getting my first Kanto Ribbon.

Mostly, it's about earning all my ribbons before Drew.

♪ Ohh 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 ♪

♪ Advanced Battle is the ultimate test ♪

♪ From the Earth the land the sea and sky ♪

♪ They can never win but they sure can try ♪

♪ Ohh oh-oh-oh oh-oh ♪

♪ I'm unbeatable ♪

♪ Pokémon Advanced Battle ♪

♪ Ohh oh-oh-oh oh-oh ♪

♪ I'm undefeatable ♪

♪ From the stars and the ancient past ♪

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

♪ Ohh oh-oh-oh oh-oh ♪

♪ I'm undefeatable ♪

♪ Pokémon Advanced Battle ♪

♪ Ohh oh-oh-oh oh-oh ♪

♪ I'm undefeatable ♪

♪ Oh oh oh ♪

♪ Advanced Battle ♪

♪ I'm Unbeatable ♪

♪ Pokémon ♪♪

ASH "The Saffron Con!"

How come people are going in

if the contest isn't till tomorrow?

Guess there must be something going on.

[May gasps]

Excuse me, but is the hall open now?

That's right!

It's what they call having an Open Stage.

Contestants can check out the stadium.

It helps when you plan your performance.

Uh! Yeah, that would help!

Okay.

So the lights come up, you do your intro..

MAY/ASH/MAX/BROCK Woah.

[AMAZED]

'What a beautiful arena.'

[chuckles] This makes me even more excited

about competing.

Do you know which Pokémon you're gonna use, May?

[thinking] Mm, that's a good question.

DIRECTOR Folks! Let's run it again from the top, alright?

Okay!

LILLIAN Back at center stage, right?

Hm? That's weird.

'Is that Vivian?'

'I think it is but she looks sorta different.'

Maybe her hair's changed?

PIKACHU [WONDERING]

That's it. Great!

Now, let's check the spotlights.

DIRECTOR 'And cue the Pokémon.'

You got it!

Espeon, hit the stage!

[APPEARING]/[EXERTION]

Wow! Look at that.

[ADORING]

DIRECTOR 'Keep it going while we focus'

'the rest of the lights.'

Ha, okay!

Espeon, use your Swift!

[SWIFT MOVE]

And now, follow with Psychic!

[PSYCHIC MOVE]

[gasps] This is great.

Espeon, finish up!

[EXERTION]/[PROUD]

What a show!

That is one well-trained Espeon. Wow!

[AMAZED]

Squirtle, no!

[GREETING]

[CURIOUS]

Hello?

SQUIRTLE [FRIENDLY]

[BUBBLE BEAM MOVE]

[HOPEFUL]

That's cute, but what do you think you're doing up here?

[FRIENDLY]

- I'm sorry. - Huh?

Before I knew it, it got away from me.

LILLIAN No harm done.

But you'll need to keep it off the stage

while we're rehearsing.

[FUSSING]

Why are you acting this way, Squirtle?

LILLIAN 'You know what?'

Huh?

I think it's a born performer.

I look forward to seeing it onstage.

I'm assuming you'll be using

this little guy in your act tomorrow. Is that right?

[AGREEMENT]

Maybe, but we'll need some practicing first.

Sorry that we interrupted your routine, Miss Vivian.

I'm not Vivian.

But I've met you several times before

at contests in Hoenn where you were the emcee, remember?

In fact, I have a couple of ribbons you've awarded me.

I'm May, from Petalburg City.

Oh, you must be thinking of my big sister.

ASH/MAY/BROCK/MAX Huh?

Your sister?

BROCK 'Oh yeah, now that I see you up close'

'it's obvious you're not Vivian.'

[laughs] I know!

And the way that we dress is so different

you'd think that'd be enough, but people still confuse us.

Vivian, is the emcee in Hoenn.

I'm Lillian and I'm the emcee here in Kanto

it's nice to meet you.

Hi, Lillian, it's nice to meet you too.

[FRIENDLY]

I'm just a little bit worried.

Squirtle may seem like a natural

but this would be its first contest.

If you're that worried why not just use Beautifly or Skitty?

Yeah, May, both of them have lots of experience.

I don't think so.

ASH/MAX/BROCK Huh?

I'm gonna go with Squirtle!

I've been thinking about it

and I just wanna use the new Pokémon I brought

instead of falling back on the way I've done things before.

Good plan!

I know exactly what you mean.

[AGREEMENT]

Sometimes it's good to start over with a clean slate.

'Your attention please!'

ASH/BROCK/MAX Huh?

'Contestant '

'your Pokémon have passed their checkups'

'and are being brought out.'

Oh, that's good news. Thank you.

[gasps]

ASH/MAX/BROCK Huh?

[gasping]

Hold on just a minute here.

'Harley?'

Well, if it isn't May. Long time no see, huh?

Yeah. What are you doing here?

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know

I'm entering this contest.

Why, yes. Of course, I'll just.. Oh!

[chuckles] I'm sorry

this is not a valid contest entry pass, I'm afraid.

- What? - Oh!

What did you say?

Obviously you don't realize who you're dealing with.

I am none other than Empress Coordinator Jessabella

the thoroughly fabulous

gracing you with my mere presence!

No doubt you've read all the press reports

about my greatness!

Bravo!

[laughing]

I of course am the Empress's lackey, Jamison.

And I'm her Pokémon wrangler, Meowthison.

You can see, I'm very important.

Yes, but the problem is, you have a Hoenn entry pass.

Here in Kanto, you'll need a contest pass

like this one instead.

Oh. Of course.

That's what I've been tryin' to tell you from the beginning.

Now, be a darling and give me a Kanto pass.

It'll be my pleasure.

Very good.

Now it's on to the contest!

Watch out world!

[ENTHUSIASTIC]

Now I just have to win top Coordinator

and watch the money roll in.

How simple is that?

Perfect.

When it comes to simple, we're your guys.

No offense, but since we didn't take a single ribbon in Hoenn

what makes you think this is gonna be any different?

[Meowth screams]

I'm so sorry, I didn't hear you.

Now what was that you were saying, Meowth?

Just that you're a lock to win top Coordinator.

I'll be needing your Cacnea, if I'm going to win.

JAMES My Cacnea?

We lost in Hoenn because I never had the right Pokémon.

Come on, James, hand it over.

But doesn't it make more sense

to at least start off the contest with your own Pokémon?

Actually, James, it's just crazy enough to work!

What makes you think that?

One way to earn lots of points in these contests

is to show a strong bond between Pokémon and Coordinator.

So if Jessie can really bond with Cacnea

she might pull this whole thing off after all.

I see where you're going.

Huh! Where?

Bring out your Cacnea and let's do this right!

Yeah! Come out, Cacnea!

[APPEARING]/[EXERTION]

[screaming] Your needles, your needles.

[screaming]

That's exactly the kind of bond, I mean.

Great, bonding.

With needles.

'Harley, what are you doing here?'

Are you really Nurse Joy's orderly?

Not officially.

I just volunteered to help her out here during the contest.

ASH/MAY/BROCK/MAX Huh?

You volunteered?

[INCREDULOUS]

My Cacturne was running a fever so I brought it here.

Nurse Joy was so wonderful to me.

And seeing how unselfish and giving she was

made me feel ashamed for the kind of person I've been.

So I decided to turn over a new leaf

and what better way than by helping others?

But what about the contest?

Oh, I'll still enter it.

Which reminds me, did you hear about the rules?

Hear about what rules?

You can substitute Pokémon

between the first and second rounds, here.

Kinda cool, huh?

Are you sure?

Don't you listen to him, May!

You know, he's only trying to get you disqualified, right?

- Oh, that's a good one. - Aah! Whoa, whoa!

I know, I was an eentsy bit bad before

but I wish you would believe me. I'm a different person now.

MAY/ASH/BROCK/MAX Hm.

I can't blame you for not trusting me.

We'll see. Right?

- Everything okay? - Nurse Joy!

[laughing] Nurse Joy!

Now, isn't it true, here in the Kanto contest

Coordinators can switch Pokémon

between the first and second rounds?

Yes, of course they can.

ASH/BROCK/MAX/MAY Hah!

So he was telling the truth?

Now do you see I'm trustworthy, May?

Well, I..

You must be friends of Harley's.

Where are you from?

May is an excellent Coordinator

and one of my very best friends from back in Hoenn.

Well, you have good taste in friends

because Harley sure has been a big help around here.

ASH/BROCK/MAX/MAY Huh?

Did I hear right?

Harley's been a big help?

[CONFUSED]

And since you're asking about the contest rules here in Kanto

you should also know that you're not required to change Pokémon

between rounds if you don't want to.

'Most of the Coordinators do substitute though'

'because that way they get to show the judges more variety.'

That makes perfect sense for me and my Pokémon.

Well, you'll be happy to know

that these three Pokémon are in good shape

and they all passed their health exams with flying colors.

'Great.'

NURSE JOY 'You've obviously taken'

'very good care of them, May.'

They didn't have any problems at all.

So any of them would be fine to use in tomorrow's contest.

Wow, thanks a lot Nurse Joy.

So, in that case.

Squirtle and Combusken

'you two are on for tomorrow's contest.'

[HAPPY]

[ENTHUSIASTIC]/[EXERTION]

May, that Combusken of yours is really cool.

And I can't say enough about your little Squirtle!

Thanks a lot, Harley.

I'm sorry that I doubted you.

I'm not so sure. I still think something's up.

What? What can I do to convince you?

I'm satisfied as long as Nurse Joy trusts him.

[AGREEMENT]

Well, Harley, you and your friends

probably have a lot to talk about

so why not take your break?

Thank you Nurse Joy, that's a great idea.

Nice to meet you, have fun!

Good luck in the contest, May.

Oh! Speaking of that.

You've entered, right?

Oh, no, I forgot.

I told you that you should've done it

when we were back at the stadium!

It's nothing to worry about.

You still have your pass

from the Hoenn League contests with you right?

Yeah.

That pass will get you into this contest too

and registration's open till tomorrow.

- There's no big rush, May. - Oh, good.

So why don't we go grab some lunch?

- Huh? - Sure, that sounds great!

[laughing]

Go, Cacnea!

[AWKWARD]

JAMES 'Now, hug her, Cacnea!'

[thinking] Just watch the face, please.

[AWKWARD]/[ADORING]

[James screams]

Wow. I guess it couldn't bring itself to hug you.

It's okay, there's no rush.

Cacnea, get with the program and hug Jessie!

Our plan depends on it!

[James grunting]

You gotta bond with Jessie, Cacnea!

We know it's an ugly job, but you gotta do it!

I'm begging you, Cacnea. Huh?

- 'Cacnea.' - Huh.

[EXERTION]

[thinking] Let's get this over with.

[AWKWARD]

[Jessie screaming]

HARLEY You'll never guess who I ran into out here in Kanto. Drew!

- Yeah, I ran into him too. - Aah.

I wonder if your little rival will enter this contest.

What's wrong? Are you still suspicious?

- No. - 'Ow!'

ASH/BROCK/MAX Huh?

Ow! Stop it! Ow!

JAMES Ah! My poor, Cacnea!

MEOWTH Don't worry, we're gonna help it.

Why don't you two worry about me for a change?

JESSIE 'I'm the one in pain here! Ouch, that hurts!'

What's going on?

My guess is she's a Coordinator

and she and her Pokémon have had some sort of training accident.

'It happens sometimes during contests.'

NURSE JOY To the operating room, Chansey!

- What? - Try and hold still!

Harley, I'm gonna need your help.

Right away! I'll see you guys later, okay?

PIKACHU [STUNNED]

Well, that poor girl.

I didn't know you could get hurt so bad practicing.

Yeah! But I have to do it just the same!

- Look who's here! - No!

It's the Twerps!

And they, along with all these other people

are going to be in the contest.

MEOWTH Unless we was to steal all these people's Pokémon.

Then, they couldn't be in it.

[laughs]

And there'd be no way, Jessie could lose!

[Ash chuckles]

[EXCITED]

Wow! Look at 'em all.

They're getting in every last minute of practice

they can before tomorrow!

I could use some more too!

Do you wanna practice against us?

We'll make it tough, just like a real Pokémon battle.

PIKACHU [EAGER]

Alright, let's do it, Squirtle!

[HAPPY]/[ALARMED]

Oh, no!

[ALARMED]

Pikachu!

[SCARED]

- Two down! - And only hundreds more to go.

Team Rocket!

Give back Pikachu and Squirtle right now!

Prepare for trouble 'cause we're stealing

Pokémon and having a ball.

Make it double, that's all.

Evil as old as the galaxy.

Sent here to fulfill our destiny.

Just look at me!

JAMES To denounce the evils of truth and love

and extend our reach to the stars above.

- I'm James. - And I'm Meowth.

Wherever there's peace in the universe Team Rocket..

Will be there.

JAMES/MEOWTH To make everything worse!

ASH/MAY/BROCK/MAX Uh-uh.

Aren't they missing someone?

BROCK Yeah, maybe Jessie got fired or something.

JAMES/MEOWTH Hardly!

None of your business, anyway!

Besides, it's too embarrassing to talk about.

Pikachu, Thunder.. Oh!

'No, wait. If you do that, you might hit Squirtle too!'

Smart, right?

And that wasn't even part of the plan.

[grunting]

HARLEY They're hopelessly tangled together.

CHANSEY [SAD]

I'm afraid that we'll have to cut her hair.

Oh, no! No way! Get your claws away from me!

[EXERTION]

[screaming]

Harley, could you bring in her friends

so they can give our patient some moral support?

Right away.

[SCARED]

- My Mankey! - Vulpix!

[SCARED]

- This is great! - Jesse's gonna be proud of us!

- See ya! - Wouldn't want to be ya!

[Meowth laughing]

Stop! Come back!

Ariados, come on out!

[grunts]

[APPEARING]

Hey! Harley, what's up?

Don't worry, I'll help you stop 'em.

Go, Ariados, Spider Web!

[SPIDER WEB MOVE]

[screaming]

What's happening?

- Alright! - That snagged 'em!

- Now it's your turn. - Okay.

Come on, Combusken!

[APPEARING]

Sky Uppercut!

[SKY UPPERCUT MOVE]

[PANICKED]

JAMES/MEOWTH Aah!

Also not part of the plan.

PIKACHU [HAPPY]

Squirtle!

Awesome job, May.

[gasps] Oh!

JAMES Meowth, use Fury Swipes and get us out of this web!

Here we go!

You're not going anywhere!

[ANGRY]

[ATTACK]

- Huh? - No way!

[screaming]

MEOWTH Wow! That's cold.

[PROUD]

Squirtle. Was that an Ice Beam Attack?

It sure was.

Somehow, your Squirtle learned to use an Ice Beam Attack

without you even teaching it how, May!

[CHEERING]

That was pretty lucky timing that it learned a new attack

right before your contest, right?

I'll bet that's Squirtle's way of thanking you

for all the love and support you've been giving it

since you two first met each other.

[HAPPY]

Does that mean you're ready to go win this contest with me?

[AGREEMENT]

Those guys saved all our Pokémon.

So we owe 'em a big thank you.

[AGREEMENT]

Not us, it was actually Harley

who came out of nowhere and stopped Team Rocket

with his Ariados and that cool Spider Web.

Oh, stop. I was more than happy just to help out.

Well, anyway, thanks again and good luck

in the contest tomorrow.

Yeah.

Yes! A friendly rivalry!

[PLEASED]

LILLIAN How impressive that May would go

to such lengths to rescue the Pokémon of her competitors.

Wow! That showed a lot of character.

JAMES/MEOWTH [groaning]

JESSIE 'Let me get this straight'

you actually captured all their Pokémon

so I could win?

Well, we failed but that was the plan.

Those lousy Twerps messed up another victory!

It doesn't matter anyway because with my charm and talent

I'm going to win, I just know it.

Me and you, Cacnea!

[DETERMINED]

JAMES That's the spirit, baldy!

MEOWTH Your hair may be short

but you're long on confidence!

Aah! Don't look at me!

JAMES/MEOWTH 'Ow!'

'What? What do you mean, my pass is invalid?'

I'm sorry, but you can't enter the Kanto contest

using a Hoenn pass.

Oh, and not only that

'the entry deadline was o'clock.'

But I was told this pass would be accepted

and that the deadline for entry

wasn't until today.

Whoever told you that was badly mistaken. Sorry.

ASH/BROCK/MAX Mm.

Well, looks like Harley strikes again.

So that whole thing with Nurse Joy was fake?

My guess is Harley really was helping out at the clinic.

BROCK 'But he was only doing that'

'to look good and gain your trust, May.'

I can't believe it. I fell for it again.

[laughing]

Some may call it holding a grudge.

I call it revenge!

Good morning! How's everyone?

- Oh, Lillian. - Hey!

- What? Feelin' down today? - Uh!

[chuckles] I know that was

a terrible joke, wasn't it? Sorry!

What seems to be the problem?

Apparently, someone gave her bad information

about using her Hoenn pass here, and about the deadline.

Well, that wasn't very nice at all!

Oh, yes! I was about to report something!

What?

Yesterday on the practice field

intruders attempted to steal

all of our Coordinators Pokémon!

And the hero who stepped up to battle the villains

and save the day was none other than

this same girl, May!

Yeah, so without you there wouldn't have been

any Pokémon left and then we wouldn't have had a contest

at all?

That's it, exactly!

- What do you say? - Right.

I just remembered I did get May's pass renewal

and registration yesterday. I must've misplaced it.

Well, what do you know about that!

Wow!

Awesome, now you get into the contest!

[HAPPY]

Such compassion only makes me love you that much more!

Huh?

It was compassion for May, not passion for you.

[EMBARRASSED]

You're all set, May.

Here is your Kanto contest entry pass

and your ribbon case.

Wow! Thank you so much!

You're the best, Lillian, I don't know how to thank you.

You can thank me by putting on a great performance

on that stage today!

As for me, I'd better go and start getting ready!

She's so nice!

Which only makes it that much harder for me

to choose between her and Vivian.

Good luck today, May.

[EAGER]

Thanks, I'm lucky to be entered

so I'm gonna make the most of it.

Ugh. Lucky is right!

But your luck's running out.

I'm gonna make sure of it.

That ribbon case will stay empty.

NARRATOR After a brush with disaster

at the hands of her old nemesis Harley

May earns the right

to enter the Saffron City Pokémon contest!

The battle for her first Kanto ribbon is about to begin!

♪ Walking down this endless highway ♪

♪ With nothing but my friends beside me ♪

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

♪ Advanced Battle is the ultimate test ♪

♪ Ohh oh-oh-oh oh-oh ♪

♪ I'm unbeatable ♪

♪ Pokémon Advanced Battle ♪

♪ Ohh oh-oh-oh oh-oh ♪

♪ I'm undefeatable ♪

♪ Oh oh oh ♪

♪ Advanced Battle ♪

♪ I'm unbeatable ♪

♪ Pokémon ♪♪