Pocket Wars (2019) Summaries

Pocket Wars (2019)
Story: Julie P.
Based on “Pocket Monster” by Tajiri Satoshi, Game Freak and Nintendo

About the World of ‘Pocket Wars’:

	Pocket Wars is a retelling of the Pocket Monster games combining the multiple official continuities with other influences.
	Red, Green and Blue are main characters of Pocket Wars. Red and Green use two of the official names from the Japanese Red and Green Versions for their character names, John and Jack. Blue’s name, Junko, was chosen match the letter ‘J’. This is broken when this version of Red decides to transition and chooses the name ‘Akane’!
	In Pocket Wars the character of Red is adapted to be a transgender girl. In fact, many characters are gender, sex and romantic minorities in Pocket Wars! This was done so as to give the story its own identity and also teach readers about these minorities.

	In the world of Pocket Wars there’s a bit more detail to the structure of how politics work. I wanted to explore a more detailed take on how a world would function with Pokemon. Kantou, Hou’en, Shin’ou, and Jouto are all considered ‘prefectures’ within Japan. After all, these regions are originally treated as being based off of Japanese regions so I wanted to explore that in this series. Jouto, more specifically, is a set of colonies spun off from Kantou and is currently trying to win its independence from the corrupt, greedy governor of Kantou.

	In Pocket Wars there are two governing bodies in a prefecture or state. The first governing body is the normal government which runs the state in general. Secondly, each state has a Pokemon League office, which handles Pokemon affairs, including the tournaments, the education of trainers and the handling of crimes involving Pokemon. Nations like Japan also have national Pokemon League offices that the various states report back to. For example:

•National League Chairman and National Champion: Sometimes the roles are split between two different people depending upon who is National Champion. Some National Champions are elected to the position of Chairman while others merely act as the strongest trainer in the nation. Wataru from Kantou hopes to one day defeat the current National Champion and become Japan’s #1 trainer. The chairman position is voted on by the trainer unions.

•Regional League Chairman and State Super Champion: For Kantou, Hou’en and Shin’ou these roles are fulfilled by Wataru, Daigo and Shirona. As chairmen they oversee the Pokemon-related affairs of their region while as Super Champions they hold the title of the prefecture’s number one trainer. A Super Champion are required to defend their titles by entering the yearly Champion League tournaments, tournaments that are held after the yearly Regional Leagues (which can only be entered by those with eight gym badges). Only those who have previously won that region’s yearly Regional League can enter the Champion League! Wataru and the others also have the power to accept official title matches at any time they please. Wataru is known to accept challenges for his ‘throne’ every so often, typically from those Ranked #2-10 in the Kantou rankings. These matches are officially refereed and filmed for later release on the internet. If both participants agree to it the battles can have live audiences or even be live streamed! Foreigners are also free to challenge a Super Champion but Wataru doesn’t receive very many challenges and between his heavily workload as Kantou League Chairman he really only accepts maybe three challenges a year outside of the Champion League. The competition is definitely a higher caliber of trainer, typically including trainers all the way up to middle aged and sometimes senior citizens who have retained their skills.

•Yearly Regional League: To enter the yearly Regional League one must collect eight officially recognized gym badges from the region in question. Like in the animated series centered on Satoshi there are actually more than eight official gyms in a region but Pocket Wars counts the gyms of the video games as if they were considered more popular and powerful gyms. After winning the Regional League Akane joins the pool of trainers who are qualified to enter the yearly Champion League. While trainers are free to enter this tournament as much as they please even after winning it few do due to the lower level of competition.

•Gym Leader: A gym leader is a skilled trainer entrusted with educating their towns on Pokemon safety and defending it in times of war and natural disaster. Gym leaders may take on students and assistants to run their gyms but are required to battle the official gym badge battles themselves unless they receive a special waiver from their state’s Pokemon League office. For example, three years prior to Akane’s journey Katsura from Guren Island took a month off to care for his husband after a surgery. During this time Katsura was granted permission to delegate the gym battle challenges to his assistant. Some gyms are not confident enough in their students or assistants to do such, however, and will often simply close for the time being.

	The structure of a nation’s Pokemon League can sometimes change. For example, the State of New York—colloquially known as Isshu—requires that a trainer have twelve badges to enter their yearly Regional League tournament. The State of Hawaii—colloquially known as Alola in modern times—does not yet have a Pokemon League system due to its role as a tourist spot. Word has it that Doctor Kukui and his wife Doctor Burnett are trying to introduce a Pokemon League, though! Maybe their seven ‘captains’ will become gym leaders? Despite being a place known for relaxation Alola definitely has some powerful trainers!

	What about the 195 nations on this planet we call Earth? Because Pokemon exist all over the planet Pokemon Leagues exist in every nation. This means there are 195 ‘National Champions’ that qualify for the World Pokemon League Tournament!

•World Champion: The World Champion is introduced as a one hundred fifteen (115) year old woman from Steilacoom, Washington in the United States. She has maintained her position as the officially recognized strongest trainer in the world since she was fifteen. Nobody knows what Samantha Young looks like as she only appears in public wearing a disguise for decades now. Eventually, Akane will face Samantha in a battle for her title and will learn that she has strengthened her bond with her Pokemon so much so that she has reversed her physical age to fifteen!! Akane, by this time a mother married to Junko, must find a way to overcome Samantha’s one hundred years of refined Pokemon battling skill and Passion!! Samantha’s signature Pokemon is a ‘Gorochu’, one of the ‘lost Pokemon’ from the original Pokemon games and an evolution of Raichu. A ‘Gyaoon’ is her team’s ace Pokemon, which she also uses a Plux, Kaenjishi (Male), Gachigoras, .

Episode Summaries:

	Because it is unlikely that this story and world can ever been written into a full release the author has simply resorted to detailed episode summaries for the time being. Each summary is structured like a half-hour episode of a Japanese animated program. A short scene begins and ends an episode, before the opening and after the ending. A scene before the title card is also included. The majority of each episode happens across an A-Part and B-Part.

Episode #1: “Meeting Hitokage”
•Jonathan Redwood III groggily pulls himself from bed on the morning of Friday 02 June 1995. John frowns as he sees his messy reflection on a partially covered bathroom mirror but nevertheless heads into his lavatory to shower. Meanwhile, a tall and handsome man with a Hitokage by his side strolls up to the front door of John’s home.
•Opening Credits:
•John showers, rubbing his eyes with the warm water from the overhead nozzle while groaning as he awakens. “Come on, gotta wake up…today’s the day!” Meanwhile, John’s mom serves the visitor—Doctor Orchid—tea as they discuss the big day. Orchid mentions how he’s not surprised that John overslept and laughs, saying that it’s natural for rookie trainers to not get any sleep the night before they begin their journey. John’s mom sighs as she digs through the pantry for Pokemon food and wonders if John’s failure at passing the trainer’s license examination the first time is what kept him up all night. Orchid asks John’s mom whether or not he’s been getting any sleep lately but she notes that his sleep has only been getting more erratic, just like his mood. John’s mom notices that Hitokage is missing when she puts down a plate for him at the table, causing concern for the two adults.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Hitokage waddles cheerfully into the lavatory with a toothy grin and growls happily. The zombie-like John snaps to attention and pulls aside the shower curtain far enough for him to peek out without exposing the rest of his body. John shouts in surprise just before Hitokage leaps into the shower with him, causing John to accidentally pull the shower curtain down and wrap the two up in it. Hitokage’s tail catches the curtain on fire and a panic breaks out as they both hurriedly try to put out the fire. Doctor Orchid and John’s mom find the duo in their humorous predicament and laugh at the comedic duo. Later that morning, John and Hitokage set off after a celebration party from his mom and her old friend Doctor Orchid. Determined to catch up with his classmates, John sets his sights on Nibi City. Setting up camp in the middle of Route 1, John decides that it’s time to start training. Hitokage doesn’t have command of his elemental energy yet, meaning he can’t perform even a simple fire-type attack like Ember. The two continue to train, but nothing seems to be getting anywhere.
•B Part: A day after leaving Masara Town, John and Hitokage arrive in Tokiwa City (Sunday, June 4 1995). Checking in at the Pokemon Center, John reflects on their progress. Greater control of a Pokemon’s elemental energy requires a strong physical body. Hitokage’s stamina seems unbridled, but his concentration is another matter. John reasons that if he’s going to keep Hitokage on track during training he’s going to have to get to know him better and instill some fire in him. Remembering that Tokiwa has a Pokemon Gym of its own, John decides to pay it a visit, hoping a real battle (or real loss) will inspire Hitokage to take training seriously. At the gym, John and Hitokage are met by a room of intense trainers diligently training with their equally intense Pokemon. The general air of intensity and masculinity makes John feel very uncomfortable. A twenty-something year old man named Ryuunosuke (as per his name-tag) seemingly in charge of the gym tells the two that they aren’t accepting challenges from the new crop out of Masara Town and suggests he returns when he has the other seven badges in hand. John turns to leave, miffed by the young man’s attitude, when he finds Hitokage captivated by a battle between a Sandpan and Gou-rikki. Hitokage indicates that he wants to fight, but John explains that they need to get stronger, first. Suddenly, John hears a familiar voice. Turning around, John finds his old friend and rival Jack Orchid standing before him. Jack explains that he had returned to Tokiwa with hopes of battling John. Jack shows off his Nibi Gym Badge and a full six-man team of Pokemon. Disappointed with himself for being so far behind a classmate, John nonetheless plays it cool and challenges Jack to a battle. The young man in charge of the gym tells the kids to leave, prompting the two lads to use the battlefield behind the Pokemon Center. A few of the other guests at the Center (among them underclassmen from Masara Town) gather around to watch the battle. John nods to Hitokage, who carelessly steps up to the plate. Jack calls forth his Poppo and the battle behinds. Hitokage quickly finds that he can’t reach Poppo, who can takes to the skies. John begins to curse his hubris when his orders to use Ember fall on deaf ears. Soon, Hitokage begins to feel his master’s embarrassment as well as his own as he is surrounded by eyes of contempt from those viewing his battle. John realizes they are both panicking, but can’t think up a plan to catch Poppo. Finally, Poppo unleashes Sand Attack, blinding Hitokage as he goes in for a swooping Tackle attack. This pattern continues until Hitokage is bruised, bleeding, and beaten. Redwood curses his luck, knowing that the Sand Attack was being specifically used to cover Poppo’s tracks and make grabbing onto the bird-type as it swept downward a nigh-impossibility. John nonetheless orders Hitokage to try grabbing onto Poppo each time he swoops in and hits him, but the bird is too quick. Finally, Hitokage passes out from exhaustion and the battle is over. John rushes Hitokage inside to be treated, hearing the whispers of snide remarks and contempt from the crowd. Later, Jack approaches the morale-deficient John and tells him that if Hitokage was able to hold out that long he’ll be fine. Jack advises that if he wants to do better next time he’ll need to remember his shame, but fight with a clear head. Jack takes off on his motorbike for Hanada City, telling John “challenge me again when you know victory.” John watches his rival ride off into the sunset as Hitokage wobbles up to his side, his eyes marked with determination.
•Ending Credits:
•John sits with an injured Hitokage as the Joi-san heals his wounds.

Episode #2: “Meeting Pikachuu”
•Three days later, John and Hitokage have added an Onisuzume and Transel to their merry band (Wednesday, June 7 1995). In the thick of Tokiwa Forest, Team Redwood is specifically on the hunt for a Pikachuu to add to their arsenal. Transel, perched in the trees, finally spots a yellow glow at the creek. John and friends investigate, coming across their prized item. Knowing Transel and Onisuzume will be useless, Hitokage takes the battle upon himself. Unfortunately, things get a little slick a little too fast for Hitokage as this Pikachuu proves to be wily. With speed, agility, power, and a nasty Iron Tail on his side, Pikachuu forces Hitokage and John into a real bind. Finally, Hitokage takes a crushing rib-buster of an Iron Tail that sends him flying into the creek. The “little yellow bastard” sticks out his tongue at his foes and trots off back into the thick of the woods. John dives in, saving Hitokage from drowning.
•Opening Credits:
•That night, John warms Hitokage by the campfire and he tries his best to think up a strategy to beat the Pikachuu.
•Title Card:
•A Part: The next morning a revived Hitokage awakens John and shows him he’s ready to train some more (Thursday, June 8 1995). Seeing that John is dejected, Hitokage coughs up a stream of Smokescreen in his face. After clearing his lungs, John is stricken with an idea. That sunset, John and Hitokage find the same wily Pikachuu from the previous day and challenge him again. Using Smokescreen, Hitokage both blinds and weakens the Pikachuu. Filling the yellow rodent with smoke will weaken his lungs and concentration, allowing for Hitokage—who can fight in the smoke—to strike back on his own. Hitokage finally manages to deal some damage to Pikachuu, but not before the more experienced rodent manages to adapt and hit back, too. Hitokage takes a sharp Iron Tail to the forehead, cutting open his skin and letting lose blood to trickle down into his eyes. Unwilling to give, Hitokage unconsciously taps into his fire elemental energy and blasts out a powerful Ember, scorching Pikachuu. With Pikachuu on his last legs, John tosses a Monster Ball and finally captures the Pikachuu.
•B Part: The morning after capturing Pikachuu, John wobbles into Nibi City (Friday, June 9 1995). Checking in at the Pokemon Center, John holds a strategy meeting with his team. Onisuzume appears flippant about not getting to fight in the first gym battle, while Transel simply doesn’t show any emotion. Hitokage, with his Metal Claw technique, will play the support role for Pikachuu whose Iron Tail is the key crushing through the rock defense of the Nibi Gym. John peers at Pikachuu, somewhat surprised that so soon after joining the team he is focused on participating. Arriving at the gym, John is met with contention from Gym Trainer Toshikazu. Miffed by the trainer’s attitude toward his challenge with a Hitokage by his side, John tells the annoyance he’s here to beat the leader. Toshikazu—being an asshole—reveals challengers shall have to pass through him before battling Gym Leader Takeshi, whom the gym trainer clearly fawns over. Hitokage steps up to bat and a battle breaks out. Toshikazu’s Sand uses a flurry of Sand Attacks to blind Hitokage early on, but by closing his eyes Hitokage avoids his former weakness. With a quick Metal Claw, Hitokage knocks Sand off his footing and nails him with a blast of Ember. Before Toshikazu can give his next order, Takeshi interrupts the battle and admonishes his student for engaging in an official gym battle without his knowledge. Toshikazu makes a half-assed excuse about not knowing about Metal Claw, but Takeshi retorts that he’s seen a dozen novices use that technique to win the Gray Badge (boy, Toshi-chan’s a real idiot if he can’t remember that). John introduces himself and Takeshi replies saying he knows of his father, the accomplished veteran John Redwood II (John Junior). John III asks if he’s seen his father lately, but Takeshi admits that the veteran hasn’t been heard of for a while as he takes his place on the battlefield. Situated in the trainer box at the top of the field, Takeshi declares this will be a two-on-two battle. The battle begins, but before Hitokage can step up to face Takeshi’s Ishitsubute, Pikachuu exits his Monster Ball, wishing to take on Ishitsubute. Takeshi is surprised, noting that this same Pikachuu has periodically challenged him for months now. John, while surprised, figures that this is the reason Pikachuu mastered Iron Tail on his own, to prove his worth to Takeshi. The Gym Leader reveals that he had his Haganeil show Pikachuu Iron Tail, but he never would have guessed he’d master it on his own. Nonetheless, the battle begins.
•Ending Credits:
•Pikachuu, training on his own, strengthens his tail through using it to light large rocks out of the ground in Tokiwa Forest.

Episode #3: “Onii-chan is Reliable”
•After a few minutes of testing the air, John decides to go on the offensive and orders up an Iron Tail, but Takeshi is no fool. Ishitsubute catches Pikachuu’s tail in mid-air, as if it was a sword, and begins to slam Pikachuu into the boulders on the field. Beaten, bruised, and bleeding, Pikachuu barely manages to escape Ishitsubute’s grasp. Takeshi advises John to switch Pokemon, but John stops half-way through raising his Monster Ball, remembering the humiliation in Hitokage’s eyes when he fought Jack’s Poppo. Knowing Pikachuu is in no condition to adjust the speed of his Iron Tail technique and is now unable to move well, John orders that he begin using Iron Tail on his surroundings. As debris jumping into the air, Ishitsubute and Takeshi lose vision. Tightening their guard with Defense Curl, Takeshi orders Ishitsubute to be ready for a sneak attack as the debris quickly surrounds the rock-type too. With the last of his strength, Pikachuu leaps toward Ishitsubute…from behind! With all of his power in one final Iron Tail, Pikachuu strikes Ishitsubute in the back of his head, crushing the rock-type into a small crater. Toshikazu reluctantly rules Ishitsubute unable to battle, making Pikachuu the winner. Takeshi congratulates John on his first victory, saying that if John wins he’d love to take him out on a date to celebrate. John grows uneasy, feelings of embarrassment and confusion welling up within him. Nevertheless, he unleashes Hitokage as his next Pokemon.
•Opening Credits:
•Before John can celebrate his half victory, Takeshi unleashes Iwark. With a swipe of his tail, Iwark sends Pikachuu flying into the bleachers. Replaying his countless defeats at Iwark’s hands, Pikachuu gives the snake the stink-eye before passing out. Now, the battle is in Hitokage’s hands.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Just as Hitokage begins to grow used to Iwark’s attacks, the rock-type unleashes a sudden burst of speed, slamming the fire-type into a boulder with his tail. Takeshi explains that part of his job as a gym leader is to teach trainers—especially young ones—about the infinite possibilities in battle. John curses their luck, realizing that Hitokage cannot take the time to produce enough Smokescreen to blind such a large foe, nor can he reach a vital spot with Metal Claw. With no other options left, John knows only one course of action remains. Ordering successive Ember and Metal Claw attacks on Iwark’s tail, John hopes to make a crack in Iwark’s defense, but Takeshi figures this out quickly and orders a crushing Headbutt that sends Hitokage slamming into the field again. On his last legs, Hitokage begins launching a volley of Ember blasts at Iwark’s…mouth? Eventually, Iwark finds he can’t shake the weak blasts off…because they’re growing progressively stronger! Iwark uses bobbing-and-weaving to make his way over to Hitokage through the fire blasts. The rock serpent ensnares the fire-type with a Bind attack, crushing him. Planning this, John orders dual Metal Claws. To Takeshi’s surprise, Hitokage—having raised his arms to avoid having them coiled up—begins to dig directly into Iwark’s rock-skin. Screeching in pain, Iwark lets go of Hitokage to fall back, but despite his heavy-breath, the fire-type charges forth. Climbing the rock-type’s long body, Hitokage claws at the burned lips and insides of Iwark’s mouth. Pulling backwards, Iwark accidentally slams his head through the wall behind his master, falling unconscious. Impressed by John’s scrappy style of battle, Takeshi awards him the Gray Badge and re-offers the young man two years his junior to grab something to eat. Throat dry, John’s chest swells with anxiety as he doesn’t know what to do. Seeing the young twink’s nervousness Takeshi laughs and explains that he means he wants to introduce him to his siblings. John’s mouth stays agape as the A Part ends.
•B Part: That night at the Pokemon Center, John thanks his bandaged soldiers. While the kiddos play fight John nervously picks through his clothing to decide what to wear to Takeshi’s home. Crisis swells within John as he tries to piece together whether or not Takeshi is trying to flirt with him or not. Takeshi is an exceptionally young and talented trainer, enough so to become the gym leader of his own gym at seventeen. “Nobody’s ever flirted with me before…” John mumbles as he repacks his backpack. Trying on different combinations of clothes, John can only frown and cringe in the mirror. Nothing looks right, whatever ‘right’ means. John eventually settles on an outfit and arrives at Takeshi’s house. John rings the doorbell and is greeted by a thirteen year old girl, “Ah, you must be Onii-chan’s friend!” The girl shouts for Takeshi and when he arrives he does so topless, wiping himself off from his shower, “Nice to see you could make it, John-kun! I just finished my workout and thought I’d take a shower.” The sight of the muscular Takeshi leaves John disoriented and for a moment he considers running off before Takeshi’s younger sister pulls him into the house. John is overwhelmed by Takeshi’s twelve younger brothers and sisters. Cold and uncomfortable around children, John can only feel himself swallowed whole by their rowdy presence. Dinner is had and John and Takeshi talk about events going on in rest of the pro circuit as well as learning about Takeshi’s family. After dinner John sneaks out onto the front porch to get a moment to breath. Takeshi soon follows and apologizes to John, thinking that he was checking him out during their gym match so Takeshi thought he might reciprocate. “It’s hard dating boys or girls when your dad runs off to chase childhood dreams and your mother’s left for another man. I spend most of my day working so that I can keep after my siblings.” Takeshi sighs, leans on his porch railing and looks at John with a content smile, “You think you’re straight, huh?” Clearing his throat with a cough, John replies “I don’t know what to think.” Memories of Takeshi’s sweaty, gleaming muscles flash through his mind. “Wanna put it to the test?” John nearly chokes on thin-air as the bass of Takeshi’s voice. The Redwood boy stutters, trying to form a coherent sentence. “I…uh…w-well, I-I m-mean…” Takeshi leans in for kiss before Yomoko interrupts them, “Onii-chan, it’s time for the twins’ bedtime!” Takeshi chuckles at the timing and tells John “Well, perhaps another time!” John wipes the sweat from his brow and bids Takeshi and Yomoko a farewell. Back in his room at the Pokemon Center John changes his underwear, completely embarrassed.
•Ending Credits:
•Meanwhile at Mount Moon a family of Pyi and Pippi are being chased by men and women dressed in black.

Episode #4: “The Rocket Gang (Part 1)”
•At Mount Moon, Rocket Assistant Ryuunosuke meets up with Lance (Proton in the English video games and one of the four Executives of the Rocket Gang) (Wednesday, June 14 1995). Ryuu asks Lance how production is moving along, learning that the rounding up of the Pyi, Pippi and Pixy is moving along nicely. Once they round up the remaining few they will pull out and sell the rare moon Pokemon on the black market for big profit. Ryuu turns to leave, but not before receiving a sarcastic remark from Lance about his being the Boss’ dog. Ryuu reminds the Executive that he may only be an Assistant, but as the personal right-hand man of the Boss he holds more power than he thinks. Commanding the base Casey to return him to HQ, Ryuunosuke disappears in a flash.
•Opening Credits:
•Elsewhere, Lance’s Sandpan keeps a watchful eye on the chain-gang of Pippi and Pixy mining for Moon Stone. When a Pyi collapses in exhaustion, Sandpan appears above the weakened slave, raising his claw to strike. Meanwhile, Lance hears a ruckus in the main corridor. Rushing into the main corridor, the Rocket Executive finds his forces engaged in battle with a teenage boy and his Pokemon. John Redwood III, having come across an abhorrent slave-ring, has taken action by blindsiding the slavers and freeing most of the Pokemon.  Cursing himself for being so rash, John commands Hitokage, Pikachuuu, Onisuzume, and Nidoran (male) in a four-front battle with the Rocket Gang grunts.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Lance, surprised at how well such a green-looking kid is handling a four-way battle, curses his luck in being stuck with training the new recruits. The army of Zubat, Arbo, Dogas, Sand, Koratta, and Ishitsubute are getting them nowhere against what is obviously a kid with some more experience. Lance commands his men to recall their Pokemon; he’ll deal with the kid personally. Yielding to their commander, the half dozen grunts return their Pokemon to their Monster Balls and begin to snicker. John, cleaning the cold sweat from his brow, looks his team in the eyes. Lance introduces himself as a Board Executive of the Rocket Gang. While they haven’t made their name known publically yet, they’re planning something quite big for when they do. Lance says he’ll let the kid live if he joins them, but to John’s nearly instant regret he tells the black-clad man to shove it up his ass. Visibly annoyed by the shaky kid’s attempt at a retort, Lance advises he use all of his monsters, because this is a battle for keeps. With great speed, Sandpan Slashes open Hitokage’s stomach, blood spraying everywhere.
•B Part: Unexpectedly, Transel bursts out of his Monster Ball, ready to fight. Asking his usually stoic and silent friend if he’s gone off the reservation, Transel’s heart touches the frightened John’s. Noticing that Transel has hardened his shell to his absolute maximum, a golden light surrounds the bug-type. In a display of indescribable awesome, Transel’s shell shatters, a Butterfree springing forth. Using his latent psychic powers, Butterfree sends the shards of the maximum-hardened Metapod flying right at Sandpan, slicing the bloodthirsty Pocket Monster gravely. A Transel shard jams into the same right eye that Onisuzume had earlier pecked at, inviting a gush of blood. The eye is no more. Lance, finally arriving on the scene, curses the young man. Ordering that Sandpan use Rest, Lance promptly uses an Awakening to reinvigorate the ground-type. His hope waning, John commands that Butterfree use Stun Spore, but Sandpan is far too swift, slicing Butterfree across the chest and into unconsciousness. Recalling his last Pokemon, John prepares himself for the worst…taking a slash to the chest, John falls into unconsciousness.
•Ending Credits:
•A cigarette lights in the darkness. The smoker takes a drag before exhaling.

Episode #5: “The Rocket Gang (Part 2)”
•John awakens in an unfamiliar bed (Sunday, June 18 1995). A young man in his twenties introduces himself as Sonezaki Masaki. John recognizes him as being the architect of the Pokemon Storage System. Masaki explains that after John was rescued by the Mount Moon Pokemon (and a local Onix they enlisted); he was brought to his sea cottage by the Pokemon that knew and trusted him. John apologizes for the inconvenience, but Masaki says it is fine. John reveals exactly what he saw, leading Masaki to call in a fellow from the other room. Enter: Inspector Suzu’oki Gorou (‘Suzu’oki’ from the Rurouni Kenshin character Saitou Hajime’s alias ‘Fujita Gorou’ and Gorou meaning ‘righteous man’), a veteran Pokemon League special agent in his late forties under the direct command of the Kantou Prefecture Pokemon League Chairman (currently Wataru).
•Opening Credits:
•Rumors have been spreading of a new, larger scale mafia organization growing in Kantou; as such Inspector Suzu’oki was assigned to the case to get to the bottom of things. Taking in what he’s heard from the boy, Suzu’oki suspects that the Rocket Gang is going to build up their resources to expand their criminal empire as far as they can. Redwood interjects that they’re going to need to find their headquarters and send in a team of veteran trainers to make any sort of attempts at arrests. Suzu’oki says that such a thing is a lot easier said than done. Ordering Redwood to tell no one of the Rocket Gang or what he saw at Mount Moon, Suzu’oki threatens the kid with imprisonment and the revoking of his license and Pokemon. Rubbed the wrong way by the Inspector’s street-seasoned tough cop attitude, John says he wants to help. Suzu’oki says the only Redwood they’ll need is General John Redwood II, taking John III aback.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Asking if the Inspector knows his old man, Masaki interjects that the two graduated from the Masara Town Academy together. Suzu’oki admits he lost his chance at the Kantou League title twice to his father, but is steadfast in saying they’re equal in strength. Nonetheless, with a new Pokemon-based crime force on the rise, Suzu’oki wants to stop them before they grow as big as the Unknown cult from thirty years ago. Redwood asks what the Inspector means, leading Masaki to recount that about twenty years ago the Kantou government was thrown into chaos when a powerful cult originally based in the neighboring Jouto colonies began to gain power, both commercially and politically. Their leader proposed the end of the world order and that man and Pokemon both should bow before the ultimate god, a legendary Pokemon. The culturally separated and underdeveloped Jouto colonies bought into the Unknown Cult’s propaganda, especially amidst heavy taxation from the main Kantou government, headquartered in Yamabuki City. As such, Suzu’oki goes on to explain, tensions began to rise between the Jouto colonies and the main Prefectural government, Kantou.
•B Part: Fearing the threat of a Pokemon-powered religious cult, the then Prefectural Governor (who has gone on to become the nation’s prime minister), sent in the army and Pokemon League to begin waging war in the colonies, rather than allowing it to spread into the main Kantou territory. As a result, the land was ravaged, cities were destroyed, and the economy fell into the gutters. Because government negligence and the continued development of the main territory, Jouto’s recovery from the war has been slow. The colonies lost many of their resources during the war and with farming fields damaged taxes from the government began to pile up. What’s more, these taxes were heavily increased to help pay for the damage done to the eastern mainland. The colonies have threatened to form a unified government and with their own crop of young and talented trainers. With evil-type Mistress Karin and psychic master Itsuki they have a growing army to back up their claims. While Prefectural League Chairman Wataru (who doubles as the reigning Kantou Super Champion) has worked diligently to keep the peace, the corrupt career politicians in the senate and the Prefectural Governor’s seat are content to deem the splitting of the colonies from Kantou an act of treason and civil war. Redwood suggests that it’d be better off allowing the colonies to form their own separate government, but Suzu’oki says the politicians would never allow that. The colonies, still officially considered Kantou land, provide good income and potential resources for the main territory. Suzu’oki admits, “We live in an oligarchy masquerading as a democracy.” The Inspector finally takes his leave, reminding Redwood that the Rocket case is classified. John hands the Inspector a slip with his Smart phone number on it and tells him to keep him informed, Suzu’oki laughing at the kid for being as diligent as his old man. John asks if he’s seen his dad, but Suzu’oki admits it’s been a few months. John and his mom haven’t heard in over a year and having learned about the situation in Jouto he’s beginning to wonder if he hasn’t been assigned by Chairman Wataru to broker peace. Suzu’oki, with a knowing grin, says “that might just be it” and takes his leave. John thanks Masaki for treating him and his team. Humble as always, Masaki says it was no problem and hands John an invitation to the party to commemorate the retiring of the S.S. Saint Anne. Masaki says he isn’t a big fan of big shindigs where he doesn’t know anyone, but since the boat is sure to be full of hot-blooded trainers it’s perfect for John. John sets off for Hanada City to challenge for his second gym badge!
•Ending Credits:
•A cute, tanned read-haired girl named Kasumi struggles to don a bikini increasingly too small for her curvaceous figure. “Gah! I’m going to be late for my date at this rate!”

Episode #6: “Imouto Just Wants to Go on a Date!”
•Three days after leaving Masaki’s sea cottage (Wednesday, June 21 1995), John is in the thick of his battle with Kasumi, the Hanada City Gym Leader. Pikachuu—now adorning a scar on his back—finds himself unable to land a successful Thunder Shock on Hitodeman, Kasumi’s first of two Pokemon. Cursing his luck as Pikachuu takes a steady string of Rapid Spin, Water Pulse, and Swift attacks, John decides to go with his last idea: lure Hitodeman in, let it hit Pikachuu, grab on once it is within range, then pump it full of juice. Pikachuu understands John III’s plan and acquiesces, but the plan backfires. Hitodeman comes in close for Rapid Spin, as usual, but Kasumi notices Pikachuu is readying something, and orders Hitodeman to spin as full power. Catching John and Pikachuu off guard, Hitodeman spins faster than before, completely overpowering Pikachuu and sending the yellow rodent flying into the pool below with just a light tap. Pikachuu struggles to swim to another platform, his wind knocked right out of him. Reclaiming his footing on a platform, Pikachuu fires off a Thunder Shock, but Hitodeman once again avoids it with ease. Kasumi then orders that Hitodeman mix its high-speed Rapid Spin with Swift, creating powerful and fast exploding stars. To John’s dismay the stars are plenty enough and plenty strong enough to destroy the platforms.
•Opening Credits:
•Finally, despite dodging most of the stars, Pikachuu realizes he has nowhere left to stand. Forced to swim, Pikachuu can neither attack nor defend. John calls Kasumi stupid for destroying her own equipment, but Kasumi arrogantly retorts that the League pays for her gym’s equipment and she has spare platforms as it is. Miffed, John notices that the pool does at least have railings. Ordering Pikachuu to climb on the rails and leap off to attack, Kasumi has Hitodeman deal the finishing blow, a powerful flurry of Swift stars that pound into Pikachuu hard, despite the water cushion. Unconscious, Pikachuu returns to his Monster Ball in defeat.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Kasumi boasts she’ll have her staff bring out the spare platforms if John asks nicely, but John tells her to eat crow, unleashing Onisuzume. After a grueling aerial battle, Onisuzume wins out with his sharp Peck and Fury Attacks. Kasumi congratulates John for making it this far, but boasts her next Pokemon will end the challenge. John retorts that of course it would, as Onisuzume will defeat it and they’ll claim the Blue Badge, but the young pool maiden only snickers in reply, unleashing Starmie, the evolved Hitodeman. Before John and Onisuzume even recognized it, they were hit by Starmie’s Water Pulse. Onisuzume notes that the blast was completely unlike Hitodeman’s, far more suffocating and disorienting. With a swift use of Rapid Spin, Onisuzume is knocked back into John’s arms, unconscious. John III and his forces have been forced to retreat. Kasumi invites him to ask for a rematch anytime, with a snicker nonetheless. At the Pokemon Center, the Redwood Army huddles around one of the lobby’s computers, John researching Kasumi’s weaknesses. Aside from generic “use electric and grass-types” comments, John sees nothing of use. One particular comment, however, catches his eye. Starmie’s trump card is a Thunderbolt, a technique meant to deal easily with other water-types. Interested, John remembers what he read about Onisuzume. John asks Onisuzume if he knows Mirror Move, but the bird admits he hasn’t mastered it yet. John, with a devilish grin, says that starting tomorrow Onisuzume will begin to work towards gaining an ace-in-the-hole.
•B Part: The following morning (Thursday, June 22 1995) Team Redwood jog through Hanada City and up the Golden Ball Bridge. Sweating profusely from the intensity of their zig-zag endurance running the team eventually stumbles across Kasumi while she is on a date. John and company hide so as not to disturb the scene and watch as Kasumi and the faceless boy make-out between the ponds at the northeastern point of Route 24. The Redwood child is both embarrassed and glued to the scene. John finds the boy pretty non-descript but Kasumi—in her lilly-print bikini—is a sight to behold. John traces the outline of her figure, feeling vaguely entranced by the tanned beauty. Hitokage sneezes and accidentally sets the bushes Team Redwood is hiding behind on fire, leading to Team Redwood comically having to leap out of the burning bushes. The sudden appearance of the stranger trainer and his Pokemon sends Kasumi’s date into a panic and he runs off. Enraged, Kasumi leaps onto John and knocks him over. John has to—reluctantly—pull his face out of Kasumi’s cleavage but doing do gives him a perfect up-close look at the bulge in her bikini bottoms. “W-wait…w-what? You’re a boy?” Kasumi slaps
John and snaps “I’m not a boy, I’m a girl! I just got both parts, you stupid hick!” Coming from the small, homogenous town of Masara John has never seen an intersex person before. After an explanation from Kasumi John apologizes and shows genuine interest in learning about Kasumi’s gender. Kasumi laments how she’s always been treated as the tomboy little sister by her three older sisters, especially since she is intersex. Still, as hard as it is to get a date she’s proud of her gender minority status and is really happy to show other intersex children that they can be cute, desirable and elite trainers, too. “Technology has advanced and so has knowledge but intersex people still face bigotry, just like transgender people. I’m just glad I can do my part to normalize us.” Kasumi turns to John as they watch the sunrise and smiles.
•Ending Credits:
•Later, John idly bounces his legs as he waits for the Pokemon Center computer to boot up. Kasumi’s works stick with John, especially her mention of ‘transgender people’. “Boys who want to be girls and girls who want to be boys?” A familiar but indiscernible feeling swells within John’s heart.

Episode #7: “Vice-Admiral Matis Has Killed (Part 1)”
•Two weeks after failing to defeat Kasumi (Wednesday, July 5 1995), John comes across another childhood friend of his, Aoki Junko while staying at the Kuchiba City Pokemon Center. Still annoyed by her pushy personality, Redwood tries to shake her off by going for his morning run with his team. Junko catches up with him, noticing he doesn’t have a full team yet. John says he’s going for quality over quantity, but Junko wonders aloud how he beat Kasumi or Vice-Admiral Matis with such a weak-looking team. Unable to stomach his old friend anymore, John stops in his tracks. Revealing he hasn’t beaten either, John says he can prove that he is capable by beating her in a battle. With a laugh, Junko reveals her badge case, containing the Gray, Blue, and Orange Badges. Slightly slighted by such a sight, John retorts that he is confident he is on the same level. Looking for some entertainment before she sets off for Tamamushi City, Junko accepts John’s battle. Sweat accumulates on John’s brow as the beauty flaunts her good looks through her body language, obviously to entice John into making a rash move. “Don’t think you’ll win just ‘cause you’re incredible-looking!” John thinks to himself. Using the Pokemon Center’s field, the two rivals face off. Junko says she only has time for a one-on-one, telling John to pick his best. John realizes that Junko has seen his entire team, but he hasn’t seen one of hers, leaving him in quite a predicament. Deciding to use Nidoran♂, John is surprised when Junko retorts with a Nidoran♀. Both trainers recognize that poison-type attacks will be worthless in this battle, leaving John with only Double Kick, Horn Attack, and Bite to fight with.
•Opening Credits:
•The battle kicks off, the two Nidoran mostly equal. Dueling Horn Attacks spark small bursts of fire as the two Nidoran do their best to gain the upper hand on the other. Prepared for such an occasion, John orders Nidoran♂ to kick-off the battlefield using Double Kick. Junko is no strategic slouch either and meets John head-on with the same tactic. Finding a power-play to only produce a stalemate, John employs tactics he and Nidoran♂ had developed.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Nidoran♀, a four-legged Pokemon, is vulnerable from the side. Nidoran♂ use encircling tactics in an attempt to disguise his intentions. After building sufficient tension to place their foes on edge, John orders for the hit-and-run tactics to begin. Thanks to the intense running drills John III employees Nidoran♂’s charging is second-to-none. With a foreboding thudding, the scarred faced Nidoran♂ begins stabbing at his foe with a Horn Attack. Only grazing Nidoran♀ initially, Nidoran♂ eventually begins making solid punctures as his foe slows down. Nidoran♀’s retaliatory Bites and Scratches aren’t enough to slow the momentum her male counterpart has built. Junko takes a deep breath as she finds the battle slowly slipping away. Nidoran♂ moves in for a finishing Horn Attack to the ribs, but a defiant Nidoran♀ bursts into light, evolving into a Nidorina. Dismayed, John decides to push through nonetheless, but a swift kick from Nidorina sends Nidoran♂ flying backwards. Junko decides to go back on the offensive, having Nidorina unleash Fury Swipes. Overwhelmed by the fast and furious attack, Nidoran♂ falls back. Junko orders for a final strike using Dig. Quickly burrowing underground, Nidorina strikes from below sending Nidoran♂ flying. With a beaten body and pride, Nidoran♂ refuses to return to his Monster Ball after Junko suggests it. With Nidorina by her side, Junko walks off, telling John he hasn’t changed too much since school, “Always obsessed with being daddy’s little boy, even if it kills you”. Frustrated, John swears he’ll win their next battle as Nidoran♂ roars in defiance.
•B Part: The next morning (Thursday, July 6 1995), Vice-Admiral (chujo) Matis curses to himself as his driver takes him to the ‘Digda’s Hole’. Protesters are protesting the military’s construction in the era to expand the Kuchiba City naval base. As head of the project, Matis has dealt with the ecological groups for months now, but at this point they were growing especially annoying. The eco-groups are no longer responding as well to small gestures like the staged tours of the grounds to make sure that the Pokemon were not being negatively affected.  With tensions rising with Jouto, the government wanted the new prison extension completed quickly, but with the Pokemon Fan Club and ‘other whackos’ consistently bugging him production was being hindered. Allowing even more influence from the groups would only hinder production even more, something the bigwigs riding his ass would chew him out for. Sighing, Matis exits his vehicle and thanks his driver—Commander Tsuki Mei—for joining him (Tsuki is written with the Kanji for the month of May). Mei, the stoic beauty she always was, tells the Vice-Admiral no thanks was necessary, as assisting him was her duty. With another deep sigh, Matis wished to himself that the Commander would learn to loosen up once in a while. “God, I wish she wasn’t so dense so we could just fuck already,” Matis grumbles to himself. Working his way through the crowd of protestors, led by the ever jovial, but pushy, President of the Pokemon Fan Club, Matis reaches the construction site’s main gate, turns to the crowd, and thanks them for their interest. Entering the gate, the Vice-Admiral and Commander were unaware of a lone teenager slipping in behind them. Later, during a staff meeting with the production department heads, a knock on the door disturbs the meeting. A soldier escorting John Redwood III enters. Cursing his luck, Matis fears some “goddamn hipster kid” (spoken in actual English) has snuck on the base to raise Hell about the Pokemon. To the Vice-Admiral’s delight, the kid just says he wants to challenge the gym leader for the Orange Badge, but he was told the leader and junior leaders (Mei) were at the construction site. Having not had a challenge in two weeks the Vice-Admiral was beginning to feel the itch, the itch to kill him some fresh meat.
•Ending Credits:
•At the gym, Matis and John take their respective spots. Matis asks the boy how many badges he has, but is surprised to learn he only has the Gray Badge. Amused that the boy decided to hold off a rematch with ‘Kasumi-chan’ until after he had won the Orange Badge, Matis suspects this will be an interesting three-on-three battle. “It takes balls to fight me with only one badge, son. You must be a real man!” Irked by being called a ‘real man’, John replies in English: “Just bring out your first Pokemon already!” Matis chortles at the retort as he calls forth a Biriridama. John decides to make a strong opening statement after his recent string of major loses, beginning with Hitokage. “Just remember boy, I’ve killed men!”

Episode #8: “Vice-Admiral Matis Has Killed (Part 2)”
•Biriridama easily avoids the Ember blasts simply by rolling away, but this gives John an idea. Using Smokescreen as a cover, Hitokage begins firing off Ember blasts on the ground near Biriridama. Amused by the sneak tactics, Matis has Biriridama use Sonic Boom, generating a shockwave strong enough to disperse the smoke. Hitokage begins unleashing Ember blasts at Biriridama again, only when Biriridama rolls to the side to avoid the blasts, he finds himself burned by the superheated ground! Having caught on to the kid’s strategy, Matis decides to reward the quick-thinking with a show of force. Biriridama quickly rolls over to Hitokage, crashing into and over him. Feeling like he was just hit by a bike, Hitokage regains his footing despite his dizziness. Biriridama comes around again, this time hitting Hitokage from behind. John curses to himself, realizing Biriridama is using Roll Out, a technique that will only grow stronger as the user continues to gain momentum. Hitokage fires an Ember volley, but Biriridama simply rolls right on through. Slammed again, Hitokage wipes blood from his lip as he rises once more with a wobble. John smirks to himself, despite the pinch. Redwood orders that his fire-type friend ‘trench in’, signaling to Hitokage that it’s time to use their strategy. Intrigued, Matis tells Biriridama to keep Roll Out up. Hitokage repositions himself on the field as the speeding sphere comes his way. With a glint in his eye, Hitokage uses Metal Claw to tears a hole in the field. Blasting the ground with fire, Hitokage kicks backwards off the ground as Biriridama crashes in the ditch. Matis curses his luck, recognizing that the superheated field had been set up in preparation for his Roll Out attack. With the ground superheated, Hitokage would have an easier time digging a ditch to get Biriridama stuck inside. John goes in for the kill, ordering Hitokage fire off a barrage of Embers. The blasts pound into the stationary sphere, but not before a burst of energy knocks Hitokage and his blasts back. Matis recalls Biriridama and leaves John confused enough to ignore the vice-admiral calling him ‘boy’ again. Mei explains that Biriridama uses the Self-Destruct technique to deal as much damage as he could before passing out. Scraped and disoriented by the explosion, Hitokage is otherwise fine…until he realizes he can’t hear anything too well. Realizing Hitokage’s hearing was muddled by being too close to the explosion, John curses their luck. Matis chuckles and unleashes his second Pokemon, a Marumine. Recognizing he’s in a pinch, John decides to switch Hitokage out for Nidoran.
•Opening Credits:
•Nidoran♂ struggles to keep up with the quick rolling Marumine. Determined to claim victory after losing to Nidorina, Nidoran♂ decides to hold his ground as his foe rams into him. With all of his strength, Nidoran thrusts his horn towards Marumine, hoping to poison him with Poison Sting. To John’s chagrin, the spinning enemy breaks past Nidoran’s horn and sends the purple rodent flying. Nidoran♂ reclaims his footing and charges, but against the rotation’s force he simply stands no match of holding his ground. With shaky legs, Nidoran♂ wobbles over to his foe, unwilling to give. John, knowing this is Nidoran’s last sprint, tells him to give it his all. Dashing in for a Poison Sting, Nidoran stabs his horn into the high-speed rotator. A struggle ensues, sparks flying as Marumine grinds against Nidoran’s horn. With his legs buckling, Nidoran♂ holds on desperately. Feeling his consciousness slip, Nidoran♂ wills his body to persevere. Finally, Nidoran♂ explodes into light, his strength renewed as his legs grow longer and stronger.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Nidoran♂ has become a Nidorino! John leaps in excitement and tells Nidorino to send Marumine flying. With enhanced neck strength, Nidorino lifts and launches Marumine into the sky, a crater from the extended spinning in one spot left behind. Marumine crashes into the ground, finally stationary. Nidorino rams his horn into Marumine, shooting him into the wall behind his master. Still quite tired Nidorino breaths heavily but takes solace in knowing his foe’s constant rotating in addition to his injuries has exhausted him, too. Both Pokemon go in for the finishing blow, slamming into one another at full speed. When the dust settles, both are unconscious. Matis praises John and Nidorino for sticking it out like that. With one last Pokemon to choose from, Matis unleashes Raichu, the strongest of his Pokemon reserved for battling novices. Knowing Pikachuu, Onisuzume, and Butterfree will be powerless against an electric-type, Hitokage is the only choice he has remaining. Unleashing the hard-of-hearing fire-type, John stares his friend in the eye, communicating all the young spirit needs to know. Turning to face his foe, Hitokage vows to win.
•B Part: Hitokage versus Raichu, a climactic battle! Despite his injuries and slight hearing-loss, Hitokage is ready and raring to battle. Taking the offensive, John begins the battle with a volley of Ember blasts, but Raichu effortlessly dodges them. Knowing that Raichu will only hit back hard if they go in for a close-range battle, John decides that they’ll have to mix brains with guts;  laying down a layer of Smokescreen, Hitokage dashes into the cloud for cover. Unable to see their foe, Raichu and Matis prepare for Ember blasts from any angle. Two balls of fire shoot out from the smoke, but Raichu avoids them with ease. Suddenly, out from the smoke comes Hitokage, furiously clawing at his foe with Metal Claw. While taken aback, Raichu cleanly dodges the swipes, turning and slamming Hitokage face first into the pavement with his stringy, but strong, tail. Raichu sends Hitokage skidding across the field with a swift Mega Kick. John curses his luck, facing a Pokemon known for both its speed and power with his strongest Pokemon in the shape he’s in. Despite his off-kilter equilibrium, Hitokage staggers to his feet, but before he can react he receives a Thunder Punch to the face, sending him rolling backwards. Matis shouts to John that Pokemon battles are war, something he learned years ago. Refocusing on the fight, John commands Hitokage to buy himself some time by covering himself in Smokescreen. Matis laughs, ordering Raichu to use Shockwave. Raichu exudes a wave of electricity that passes throughout the field. The blast sends Hitokage hurtling from his safe zone into the hanger wall. Running to his fallen friend, John recognizes that Hitokage is in no shape to battle. Ready to switch out to Butterfree for a last ditch assault, John is surprised to find Hitokage break away from his grasp. Hitokage stumbles toward Raichu, unwilling to give up the fight. Memories of the battle at Mount Moon and against Junko return to him and John pleads for Hitokage to rest, but Matis tells the boy to look at his Pokemon’s eyes. John is shocked to find Hitokage’s eyes different than ever before. Gone is the spiritless Hitokage from only a few weeks ago. Matis advises that John never stop a man with those eyes and to gain those eyes himself if he ever wishes to become a champion. No longer having the heart to stop Hitokage, John remembers something his dad told him once. “The world of training and battling with Pokemon is like any other world, it is a world of conflict, both within our hearts and against the hearts of our foes.” Re-taking his position in the trainer’s box, John beams with resolution. Years ago he swore to become a man known for his strength, just like his old man. Both trainer and Pokemon beaming with the gold aura of passion, the unified hearts of John and Hitokage glow with power. “One hit.” One hit will change the tide of the battle. In a swift motion, Hitokage charges at Raichu with renewed speed. Matis swears to himself to show the two boys Raichu’s complete power out of respect. Hitokage launches an Ember blast mid-charge, but Raichu avoids it with Double Team. Blasting at the multiple images of Raichu, Hitokage finally hits his mark, knocking the real Raichu back. Slicing Raichu across the chest with Metal Claw, Hitokage coughs up a fireball on the bleeding wound. Withering in pain, Raichu rolls back to regain his footing, but is met with a Metal Claw uppercut that knocks him right back on his back. Noticing his soldier in a panic, Matis orders a Thunderbolt. Quickly summoning a burst of energy, Raichu sends Hitokage flying back. Paralyzed, Hitokage’s movement is hindered once more, but John—powered by adrenaline—figures they won’t need movement. Planning to place all of their strength into one, super-strong Ember, John says this is the last exchange. Amused, Matis decides that they’ll do the same. In a clash of fire and electricity, both refuse to give. Matis notices, however, that Hitokage’s Ember has turned into a Flamethrower, the most trusted of fire-type techniques. The Vice-Admiral theorizes that such a high-release of energy would explain why such a green pair of kids were able to pull off such an advanced technique and actually be able to match the power of Raichu’s Thunderbolt. Noticing Hitokage’s power is dying down, John wishes desperately to himself that there was some way Hitokage could use his strength, too. Suddenly, the fire adorning the tip of Hitokage’s tail grows larger than ever before, and the fire lizard’s stream of fire sears right through Raichu’s outpour of energy, scorching the orange rodent. Burnt, bloody and exhausted, Raichu falls over unconscious. Hitokage follows his foe’s descent into dream land in short order, too, albeit with the knowledge that he had won. Vice-Admiral Matis awards the Orange Badge to John, congratulating him on his courage and quick-thinking. He may not seem it at first, but he really is the son of the legendary General Redwood. John asks if he knows his old man and Matis confirms that they had been on missions together in the military. John wonders if Matis has been informed of the situation at Mount Moon, but before he can ask Commander Tsuki Mei interjects, reminding the Vice-Admiral he has a meeting to attend. John bids the two officers farewell, returning to the Pokemon Center for some well-deserved rest.
•Ending Credits:
•Team Redwood sleeps together on the bed in their room.

Episode #9: “Sinners and Winners (Part 1)”
•Ryuunosuke and three Rocket grunts sneak aboard the S.S. Excelsior, the vessel set to take over as the Kantou Navy’s flagship in place of the Saint Anne. Splitting up into teams of two, the Rockets plant bombs in the engine room and other critical areas of the ship.
•Opening Credits:
•On the eve of the retirement of the Saint Anne (Friday, July 20 1995), Captain Yamamoto wearily drinks from a flask. Knowing that his girl is set to retire after twenty years on the sea, the veteran captain suspects his forced retirement is just around the corner, too. Now stifled with mild seasickness, Yamamoto prepares himself to meet and greet with the trainers and high-rollers dining at the party at night. If that arrogant upstart Captain Masu’oka attends, Yamamoto will at least have the excuse of being intoxicated when he decks the bastard. Masu’oka once served under Yamamoto, but when he was slighted by the veteran’s more strict ethics, Masu’oka had his politically powerful father get him transferred and eventually the captaincy of the fleet’s new flagship.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Meanwhile, John pours himself some punch, feeling out of sorts with most of the high-class fellers. A sense of unease from earlier in the day strengthens as John catches sight of the many women in extravagant and gorgeous dresses. In the glare of the expensive silks and jewelry John see flashes of his trip earlier that day to the tuxedo rental shop. The tuxedoes just seemed like a pain in the ass to rent but John couldn’t help but eye the gorgeous dresses also available. Some were demure and others were outright sexy. Unsure as to why, sadness filled John’s heart and he eventually settled on just attending the party in his usual trainer gear. To Redwood’s surprise, a rather high-class looking couple approaches him, snapping him from his daydream, asking if he was a trainer. Nodding, the monocle-wearing man raises his cane in soft celebration, telling his wife he “just knew it.” The man asks if John would be willing to battle, which the lad is. To John’s dismay, with a snap of his fingers the servants push the tables to the side of the dining hall, revealing a Pokemon battlefield! John takes his position, figuring the battle can’t be too difficult. John begins with Onisuzume, but instantly comes to regret this when the high-roller unleashes a Gardie, no doubt used for hunting game. Cursing his luck, John decides to push forth. Gardie’s jumping ability gives him some extra bite, Onisuzume soon learns. Meanwhile, Matis and Tsuki Mei enter the dining hall to find a battle in progress. Matis was hoping this would finally be the night he could woo his assistant, but now his attention was captured by the battle in progress. Taking sight of Onisuzume’s maneuverability, Matis praises John for the drills he must have run the bird through. The spitting image of an eccentric high-roller, the monocle man shows no annoyance at his Gardie’s continued missed attempts to blast Onisuzume with Ember. Finally, Onisuzume goes in for the kill when an explosion suddenly rocks the boat. In the ensuring panic, John takes notice of Matis and Mei and follows them. On the upper deck, Matis and other onlookers watch as the Excelsior begins to take on water. Captain Yamamoto laughs at the turn of events. John follows Matis as he makes a mad-dash for the port. Moments later, John sees some shady fellows in black running from the scene. Following after them, John corners one. Ryuunosuke, wearing a black domino mask (who does he think he is, the Boy Wonder?) turns around, noticing that he’s now cornered by the novice who came to the Tokiwa Gym a few weeks ago. Knowing he has nothing to fear, Ryuunosuke unleashes Kailios. With Onisuzume still by his side, John decides to engage, unaware he is about to face down a gym leader’s apprentice. Before the fight can go anywhere Matis appears behind the novice, telling him to pass the battle on to him. Somewhat annoyed, John knows it’s best to let an official League officer handle a Pokemon-using terrorist. Ryuunosuke laughs, accepting the challenge. Matis unleashes his Eleboo, one of his ‘real’ Pokemon. Appearing to John and Onisuzume as only a yellow blur, Eleboo deals a crushing dual Fire Punch combo. However, Kailios easily retorts with Brick Break. A powerful hand-to-hand battle breaks out, John amazed as the strength of such high-level Pokemon. Finally, Kailios slams his foot on the ground, creating a powerful shockwave that travels up Eleboo’s spine. Surprised that the masked-and-capped man has taught a Kailios such a high-level technique such as Earthquake, Matis decides to switch into full on capture mode by using Thunder Wave, but before he can act a cloaked man and Yungerer appear next to the masked man. The masked man apologizes for slipping out like so, but he wasn’t supposed to become sidetracked in the first place. In an instant the three are gone. Matis reminds John to keep quiet about what he’s witnessed before having Commander Tsuki Mei escort him back to the Pokemon Center. Back at their HQ, the cloaked figure teases Ryuunosuke for getting cornered like that. Ryuu laughs him off, saying the chance to battle a fellow Gym Leader was worth the wait for his “untimely self to pick him up.” The cloaked figure reveals himself as…Itsuki, one of the top trainers from Jouto. Itsuki confirms that this is where his involvement with the Rocket Gang ends, the “favor repaid.” Ryuunosuke lets him off, thanking him for cooperating for the mission. Itsuki tells him that if the Rocket Gang’s ‘Boss’ wasn’t supplying the Jouto Revolution Party’s forces he wouldn’t have helped. Ryuunosuke says it’ll be a shame to no longer have a capable psychic in their forces, but matters can’t be helped. Bidding farewell, Itsuki returns to Jouto via his Yungerer’s teleportation. Meanwhile,
•B Part: Matis begins a video conference with Kan’na, the Kantou Prefecture League Press Secretary and member of the board headed by Wataru. Matis informs Kan’na of his battle, saying that the Rocket Gang has at least one very nasty trainer in their forces, one who likely rivals—if not surpasses—the Gym Leader level. Kan’na thanks him for the report, telling him it might be time for the leaders to begin training their ‘real’ Pokemon again. When the video conference ends, Kan’na turns to Chairman and Kantou Super Champion Wataru, saying the Four Heavenly Kings might want to brush up on their skills, too. Kan’na cannot look into her peer’s eyes for they are covered by the shadows of the darkened room. Back at the Kuchiba naval base Matis finishes his video call with Kan’na and turns to his visitor, Inspector Suzu’oki. The two old friends share a smoke and scotch as they discuss the recent movements of the Rockets. Suzu’oki takes a long drag from his cigarette before asking Matis what he thought of the Rockets that attacked the S.S. Excelsior. Matis calls them street trash, although their squad leader was definitely something else. “I was about to use my Z-Move before they ran off!” Suzu’oki grimaces, “From what I’ve been able to dig up the Rockets have recruited a handful of trainers that are gym leader-level or higher. If they fight dirty they’ll probably be a threat to the Shiten’ou.” Matis is incredulous to the idea but nevertheless thankful that his status as a gym leader and vice-admiral give him the authority to kill if he must. “I wouldn’t want to hold back against that guy I fought. Once I know how he fights better I’ll immediately go for the kill.” Suzu’oki grimaces at the thought of having to kill, even if he’s a veteran at it. The Inspector promises to dig up more information about the Rockets so they can hopefully corner them before they grow too strong and they have to resort to killing them in combat over arresting them.
•Ending Credits:
•Still frames of John staring at store windows full of dresses.

Episode #10: “Sinners and Winners (Part 2)”
•Nine days (Saturday, July 29 1995) after the incident at the S.S. Saint Anne, John and Onisuzume return to Hanada to battle Kasumi once more. After Pikachuu defeated Staryu, John switched to Onisuzume despite Pikachuu still being in good fighting condition. Now, in the thick of his rematch, Onisuzume makes use of his increased speed and power. Kasumi praises Redwood for improving as much as they have, but says she is still going to win. Starmie unleashes Thunderbolt, falling right into Onisuzume’s trap. Onisuzume avoids the bolt with a swift aerial maneuver and uses Mirror Move to send a Thunderbolt right back at Starmie, sending the Pokemon crashing into the pool. Kasumi smirks, however, ordering Starmie to use Recover. In the safety of the pool, Starmie restores its health…but not before receiving another Thunderbolt! Kasumi, shocked, demands to know why Onisuzume was able to use Thunderbolt on his own. John reveals that they figured if Onisuzume could just remember the way his elemental energy felt when he copied a technique he should be able to use it on his own, so they practiced. Now Onisuzume can use the last technique he had copied multiple times. Kasumi recognizes this as being a technique closer to a Barrier’s Mimic technique, something she had faced in battles with Yamabuki City’s gym leader. Nonetheless, Starmie finishes using Recover and exits the pool to avoid being caught in the super-conducting water. Using Rapid Spin, Starmie easily dries off and rids itself of the possibility of taking extra electric-type damage. Kasumi decides it is time to show John she is not unaware of basic strategies against her Pokemon, too. Starmie rushes in using a high-speed Rapid Spin. Onisuzume curses to himself as he finds himself literally hearing the spinning star cut through the air. Onisuzume fires off another Thunderbolt, but Starmie effortlessly avoids with a diving motion, zooming back up for an uppercut. Even in an aerial battle John can’t seem to win. Onisuzume recollects himself, regaining altitude after nearly falling into the pool. Starmie quickly appears behind Onisuzume, to Team Redwood’s dismay, and breaks from the Rapid Spin to unleash a powerful Ice Beam. John screams in disbelief as Onisuzume just barely avoids the beam, having only one wing frozen solid in the process. Onisuzume lands as safely as he can on one of the pool’s platforms. Recollecting himself, John tells Onisuzume to dip the wing in the pool to try to speed-up the melting process. Right after following through, Onisuzume takes a Thunderbolt. With the effect super-charged, Onisuzume screeches in pain. John calls Kasumi a ‘psychotic bitch’ for such a cheap move, but Kasumi cockily replies that not all of his foes are going to play nicely. John asks Onisuzume if he can still go, but catching a glimpse of the bird’s eyes is all the reply he needs. John tells him to “go for it.” To Kasumi’s dismay, despite having a partially frozen wing, Onisuzume flies full force into an off guard Starmie, shattering the iced wing against the water-type. Furiously pecking at the central power jewel of the grey Pokemon, Onisuzume aims to shatter it. To buy themselves some space, Kasumi quickly orders a Thunderbolt, but before the panicked star Pokemon can react, a sharp jabbing Peck from Onisuzume sends it crashing into the bleachers above. Feeling the same intense connection he did with Hitokage in the battle with Matis, John tells Onisuzume to go use all of their strength. In a mad dash, Onisuzume crashes his beak into the pinned-to-the-bleachers Starmie, finally cracking open its jewel center. Kasumi congratulates John on winning, even if it was against her novice-level team. John laughs, saying he should probably learn to never expect humility from the water-type master. Kasumi suggests John head for the Rock Tunnel east of Hanada where he’ll be able to train Pikachuu’s Iron Tail further. John decides to take her up on her suggestion.
•Opening Credits:
•Three weeks after earning the Blue Badge (Saturday, August 19 1995), John diligently makes his way through the Rock Tunnel. Having spent the past week heavily training Pikachuu, John is happy with the progress they’ve made in strengthening and speeding up his Iron Tail, while also upgrading his electrical elemental energy to handle multiple uses of Thunderbolt, a technique that was key in Pikachuu’s defeat of Kasumi’s Hitodeman. With only about an hour’s hike until reaching the exit, John decides to pack up and head out. Coming across a corridor, John hears a racket. Three Rocket Grunts hurriedly chase after a baby Karakara.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Pikachuu shocks the grunts with Thunder Wave, stopping them in their tracks. Grabbing the Karakara, John makes a run for it, but not before being surrounded by more than a dozen other grunts and their Pokemon. Rocket Executive Athena praises the boy for his courage, but says it is misplaced when against the Rocket Gang. With grunts closing in on him and only Pikachuu to defend him, John holds in his panic, demanding to know what the Rockets are up to. Athena laughs at his tough-guy attitude, telling the boy he’s in no position to be saying such bold things. Ready to have Pikachuu set the room ablaze with a Thunderbolt John is instead surprised when a rumbling noise catches the attention of the entire group. Looking around for the source, the Rockets are surprised when a rolling brown ball bursts through the encirclement of Rockets, making an escape route for John. Breaking through, Team Redwood makes a run for it, finding Orchid Jack on the other end. Standing beside his rival, John turns to face the out-of-sorts Rockets. Athena orders her men to attack, unleashing an army of Zubat and Arbo, but not before the Roll Out-using Ratta sweeps the snakes and Pikachuu shocks the Zubats. John asks Jack what he’s doing here, Jack quickly replying that he’s fulfilling a favor. With slight sarcasm, Jack asks if his old rival is taking the scenic route to his next gym battle, John replying “maybe so.” Amused that the two brats seem to be fellows, Athena tells her men to stand down. Releasing an Arbok, Athena says that it is time to feast. Arbok slithers in quickly, catching John and Jack off guard. With a powerful Screech, Arbok makes her pray buckle in pain. With a swift swipe of her tail, Arbok sends Pikachuu flying into the cavern wall. Ratta leaps on Arbok’s back while she is distracted from her previous attack. With a Hyper Fang, Ratta tears into Arbok, spitting a chunk of the purple cobra onto the cavern floor. Slamming her back into the ground, Arbok knocks the rat off and quickly regains composure by spitting out Acid on it. Withering in pain, Ratta screams a blood-curdling cry. John tells Jack to recall Ratta, but Jack says he’s not done yet.
•B Part: Pikachuu shakes off his dizzy spell, leading John to command the use of Thunder Wave. Covered in blue electricity, Arbok struggles. Athena laughs at such a choice in battle tactic, telling John he needs to return to the academy if he thought that was a worthwhile move. Confused, John asks what she means, but Athena just points to Arbok. With a devilish grin the horrifying Pokemon sheds her skin, fully renewed. Cursing his luck, John remembers that poison-types are weak against steel-type techniques. John orders an Iron Tail, surprising the Rocket Executive. Pikachuu unleashes a quick tail slap that hits with a thud, sending Arbok wiggling backwards. Ratta follows up, despite his burns, with an Iron Tail of his own, sending the unsuspecting Arbok face-first into the ground. Ratta goes in for another bite before being slapped across the face by Arbok’s own Iron Tail. Arbok pulls her head out of the ground, firing off Acid towards Pikachuu, who speedily dodges, before turning to Ratta and unleashing Glare. Frozen stiff, Ratta is filled with terror. Feeling his Pokemon’s fear, Jack finds himself unable to react. Athena whispers that “It’s time to feast” and in a terrifying sight, Arbok tears a chuck out of Ratta stomach. John, Pikachuu, and Jack are mortified at the sight as they view a hunk of Ratta’s flesh travel through Arbok’s throat and down her long body. Pikachuu makes an attempt to save Ratta, but Arbok ensnares the rodent in her Glare technique too. Athena looks on mercilessly as Arbok eats Ratta’s innards. John tries to reach for Hitokage’s Monster Ball, but his shaking hand won’t respond to his commands well enough. Stricken with the fear of seeing himself and his team eaten alive by the merciless devil, the pale-white John begins to cry, unable to look away. Mortified at the sight of Ratta being eaten alive, Jack screams the most painful sounds John has ever heard. Grabbing a Monster Ball, Jack unleashes Saihorn who slams into and pins Arbok against the cavern walls. Snapped back to reality, John grabs Ratta’s Monster Ball from Jack’s hand, noticing it’s covered in blood from being so tightly grasped by Jack, and uses it to shelter Ratta’s corpse. Returning Pikachuu to his Monster Ball, John tells Jack they have to escape while they can. Saihorn continues to slam Arbok into the cavern wall until the snake slithers her tail to the rock-types side and slams it away using Iron Tail. Despite all of his instincts telling him to stay and fight, Jack knows it would mean the death of them all. Returning Saihorn to his Monster Ball, Jack escapes with John. The Rocket Grunts ask if they should go after them, but Athena tells them to forget about it. They’ll come to them for revenge soon enough.
•Ending Credits:
•Blood drips from Arbok’s fangs.

Episode #11: “Be Still”
•A Part: Two days after the horrifying battle at Rock Tunnel (Monday, August 21 1995), John and Jack are staying at the Cion Town Pokemon Center. John isn’t sure how to approach Jack, having suffered such a horrific loss. Redwood can still remember the look in Jack’s eyes when he returned Ratta’s Monster Ball. Luckily enough, Cion Town was the home of the largest Pokemon cemetery in the prefecture so Jack wouldn’t have to wait long to lay his friend to rest. Finishing up the morning training routine with his team, John spots Jack leaving the Pokemon Center, following behind with Hitokage and the baby Karakara in tow. The two parties soon arrive at the Pokemon Tower. John enters a few minutes after Jack, finding his rival filling out the papers for burial. After noticing Jack has spotted him, John sits down in the lobby with the two Pokemon in tow. Karakara looks at Jack miserably, sensing the trainer’s pain. Elder Fujii, the proprietor of the Tower, shakes Jack’s hand, apologizing for the boy’s loss before handing him a slip of paper with a combination on it. Moments later, Jack begins to climb the stairwells. John’s party follows behind. Finally, to John’s chagrin, they all arrive at the top floor of the tower. Jack says he doesn’t have to be here, but John tells him he feels like he should be. Jack bends down to the assigned grave and dials in the combination, unlocking a small compartment for placing the Monster Ball in. With a soft whisper, Jack apologizes, stands up and looks at his rival. John is taken aback by Jack’s next words, asking him is how he thinks he would feel if the first Pokemon he ever captured die in battle. Peering at Onisuzume’s Monster Ball on his belt, John replies that he’d feel a lot like how Jack was feeling now. Jack says he disagrees, believing John would never feel such strong feelings of hate. John remains silent, unsure of how to reply. Cion Town is a town seemingly plagued by eternal mist, standing as a lone and removed shire at the most east point of the prefecture. Even inside of the Pokemon Tower mist congregates. It is within that mist, however, that Karakara seems a familiar shape. Running towards it, Karakara catches the Kantou three’s attention. Out from the mist appears a literal ghost, the Karakara’s mother. John can’t believe he’s seeing a real ghost, but Jack says that unable to pass on Garagara’s spirit must have reached out to the living world through the Tower, a place so dedicated to the line between life and death that it was able to touch the human world one last time to bid her child farewell. Karakara cries as it bids his mother farewell. After recollecting himself, the tot thanks John for taking care of him and that he’s going to stay at the Pokemon Tower to protect it. “Maybe one day everyone can come here to say their farewells to the dead,” so the Karakara wants to protect this place. Trying to keep the mood cheerful, John adds that it is rumored that when a Pokemon dies it is reincarnated as a Ghos, so maybe Ratta will return to Jack for real. His back turned to the two, Jack heads to the stairwell without a word. Slightly disappointed, John turns to Hitokage and tells him they have to become stronger. Hitokage agrees with a nod. Later, Hitokage and Pikachuu spar, Hitokage working to increase his ability to fire off Flamethrowers accurately and speedily against Pikachuu’s quickness. On the western outskirts of Cion Town Jack runs his Pigeon through dodging drills against his Saihorn’s Rock Blasts and Rokon’s Fire Spins. Meanwhile at Rocket Gang HQ, Dr. Fujii is busily working on completing a ‘computerized Pokemon’ that will give the Rocket Gang an edge over the government. If the test goes well enough in two weeks’ time they will be able to resume work on his true masterpiece, Mewtwo.
•Title Card:
•B Part: On Monday October 16 1995 John challenges the Yamabuki Gym! John has spent the past few weeks refining his strategies for his next gym battle. Having already spent two days at Yamabuki City’s Pokemon Center in preparation, Hitokage and gang are raring to go. Natsume, the Gold Badge’s keeper, is a powerful psychic-type user. Nidorino will be powerless against such an assault, so the battle will have to rest in the hands of the others, especially Butterfree who has yet to take on a gym leader. Luckily, Butterfree has his own set of psychic and bug-type techniques to use against Natsume. Packing up his gear, John sets off for the gym up in the most northeast of the city. Passing by the towering Silph Company Tower, John can’t help but feel a foreboding aura. A doorman dressed in a dark crimson suit stands guard, ready to open the door for all proper parties. John shrugs the odd feeling off, continuing his way to the gym. Once outside the sliding doors, John senses an aura about the gym similar to the Silph Company…in fact, the entire town has a very off aura about it. Entering the lobby, John approaches the desk…but nobody’s manning the lobby! Quietly slipping through the back door, John hopes to find someone to talk to about challenging the Gym Leader. Coming to a hallway with multiple offices, John peers around some more, before being caught off guard by a young lady (with glasses!) in a white lab coat. Asking the novice what he thinks he’s doing, John stammers out that he’s here to win the Gold Badge. Dismayed that the boy would say “win the Gold Badge” rather than “challenge for the Gold Badge,” the woman balks. Suddenly, a voice speaks into both of their minds, telling the woman (Nanako) to bring the boy to him. Befuddled, John asks whose voice that was, “Natsume-sama, of course!” Nanako asks aloud if the Gym Leader is sure of this, Natsume replying in the affirmative. Nanako leads John to the end of the hall where they enter a room clearly marked ‘GYM LEADER: [family name] NATSUME’ Inside the office, John is surprised to find the gym leader hooked up to an IV and other complicated-looking machines. Despite being weak, Natsume puts up a strong front, wearing her trademark stern face, despite her beauty. John asks if the psychic is well, but Nanako shakes her head. Natsume introduces herself, saying she knew he would come. After meeting with the Orchid boy, then falling ill, it stood to reason that the boy who faced off with the Rocket Gang at Mount Moon would appear at her front door. John asks how much she knows about the Mount Moon incident, but Nanako admonishes him for such an obvious statement. Natsume admonishes her assistant, saying it’s only natural for the boy to be curious. While Inspector Suzu’oki wished to keep John III as far removed from the fight as possible, the events at the Rock Tunnel—and the look in the novice’s eye when the subject is approached—are clear enough signs he will never be able to leave the subject behind. Natsume reveals that all of the gym leaders have been informed of the growing threat the Rocket Gang poses. Leads have continued to grow as more evidence is uncovered, but nothing concrete is known. What they do know, however, is that their survey teams—like those at Mount Moon and the Rock Mountain Tunnel—are acquiring as many valuables as possible to sell on the black market. Rare Pokemon, items, artifacts, and stones fetch a pretty price on the black market. In the cities survey teams are stealing Pokemon and even just mundane items like electronics or vehicles. Cursing under his breath, John asks what he can do. With a smirk, Natsume tells the boy he’s exactly as he was said to be by Inspector Suzu’oki and ‘Orchid-kun’. Surprised that Natsume already knows of Jack, John asks if she knows about what happened to Jack’s Ratta. Natsume reveals it was her who sent Jack to the Rock Mountain Tunnel by holding his utter defeat to her over his head, sensing that the Rockets would be there and that he could be of help to his rival. Of course, in the past few days she has become weakened by illness and has been unable to travel. John says he supposes she won’t be able to accept his challenge, which Natsume confirms. In a flashback sequence Orchid Jack battles Natsume in a three-on-three battle. Rokon’s entrapment fails to work on Casey, who is able to easily teleport through Fire Spin. Wil-o-Wisp backfires thanks to Casey’s Synchro ability reflecting the burned status back on Rokon. Using Ember Jack tries to corner the teleporting Casey but the lazy Casey is so unflappable that forcing it to make the moves Jack wants it to is impossible. With as little attention as Casey pays to battle it’s hard to discern any pattern from his movements, either. Rokon eventually fates from her burns and exhaustion. Returning to the present, Natsume confirms that Jack’s next two Pokemon suffered similar humiliation and frustrations. At the very least, John can take assurance in knowing Orchid lost a gym battle. Natsume coughs from the prolonged talking and is quickly given a glass of water by her assistant. Taking note of how Nanako places her hands on the gym leader John begins to sense that their relationship goes beyond leader and assistant and even just friends. Struck by the picture-esque sight of Nanako’s large bosom presses against Natsume’s elbow, John reaches for his own chest without thinking. Feeling that something is missing, John frowns but returns his attention to how the duo of psychic’s aura has changed. Nanako’s perpetually nonplussed expression replaced with one of concern while Natsume’s shows an air of openness and even adoration for her assistant. Growing up in the rural southwestern Masara farming shire kept John from learning about the LGBTQ+ community but now that he was out in the world he was learning so much about it. “So, girls can really like girls too, huh?” The casual intimacy dug up long forgotten memories of his parents’ interactions only for those memories to be tainted by his father’s socially conservative beliefs. Returning to the present, John asks if there’s anything he can do, despite the danger. Natsume reveals that there does appear to be one clue about the whereabouts of the Rocket Gang headquarters. Signs point to it being in Tamamushi City to the west. The Gym Leader, Erika, has been enlisting strong trainers to form a possible resistance in case the Rocket Gang began a mass riot in the streets. With the rest of the psychics (those far less powerful than her) out on assignment and her illness weakening her, Natsume regrets that she won’t be able to help the mission in Tamamushi. Needing to hear no more, John decides to set off for Tamamushi City. Nanako stops John before he can leave to remind to learn something from the death of Jack-kun’s Ratta. Pale at the reminder, John squeezes his fist and replies with a nod. Exiting the gym, John takes note of the karate dojo down the street. While the battles would be great experience for Onisuzume, John knows he has to get to Tamamushi City quickly.
•Ending Credits:
•Back at the Yamabuki Gym, Nanako asks if it was wise to send the boy off to war with the Rockets. Kissing her lover on the lips, Natsume tells Nanako that it is the youth’s destiny.

Episode #12: “Blue Tears, Green Rain, Red Hands”
•It’s a rainy morning in Tamamushi City; in fact it has been raining for a week now (Monday, October 23 1995). Finishing up their usual morning grind, John III Army slip and slide (or fly!) their way down the busy streets of the usually glistening metropolis. Catching, from the corner of his eye, Jack walking the opposite way on the opposite side of the street, John remembers the events of the day before.
•Opening Credits:
•After arriving in Tamamushi (Tuesday, October 24 1995), John made a beeline for the gym to make his presence known to Erika. To his surprise, however, Junko and Jack were already at the gym meeting with Erika and a committee of other trainers (mostly from the gym itself). Junko tells John that he took long enough and that now they can finally get going with the meeting. Taking a seat while muttering annoyed comments towards Junko, John is handed a folder.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Looking over what is mostly diagrams and charts, John can tell for sure that Rocket-related crime is especially centered in Tamamushi. Erika begins a Power Point™ presentation going over the specifics, but John has a hard time dealing with the stream of statistics. Finally, John stands up and slams his fist on the table, asking where the headquarters are. Junko tells John to shut up and sit down so Erika can finish, but Jack interjects, saying that all they need to know is where they are. Erika employs a soft voice and tells John that he has “such clear skin. How do you shave without razor burn?” Attention now turned to John’s beauty practices, John blushes and stammers. Junko notices that Erika is right and laughs at John for being “such a clean freak” that he would even shave his body hair. With a soft smile Erika reveals that she does the same, just as she’s sure Junko-chan does. Junko counters that “we’re girls, of course we shave our body hair!” only for Erika’s smile to deepen. John clears his throat and changes the subject back to the intel. Erika brings up a map, explaining that five possible locations within the city—and one on the northwest outskirts—are likely the headquarters, but to investigate simultaneously would spread their forces too thin and to investigate one location at a time would tip the Rockets off and allow them to escape. Pondering this, John is caught off guard when Jack suggests that they investigate all five locations at the same time. Erika retorts that without Natsume or other psychics it’s far too dangerous to run in blindly. Jack slides his folder across the boardroom table, a few figures highlighted in green (pun!). Admonishing herself for not realizing it sooner, Erika tells everyone to turn to page six. Skimming the page, John catches note of something in particular. According to these documents, the Tamamushi Casino—the biggest and best casino in the entire prefecture—has remained relatively untouched by the wave of crime attached to the Rockets. In fact, it’s seen an unusual bump in attendance from rich business men and politicians. Additionally, according to schematics Jack recently uncovered, the casino has multiple underground basement floors. Junko suggests that it’s a trap, but Jack calls it a ‘challenge’. Knowing that the available forces for a bust would be restricted by growing tensions with the Jouto colonies and other military operations, the Rocket Gang has practically invited Erika’s forces to try and stop them. John recognizes the stench of cigarette smoke as Inspector Suzu’oki Gorou enters the room, dropping his dying sin stick into one of the room’s many plant pots much to Erika’s ire. As this is an obvious trap, the main force cannot be allowed to walk so easily into the enemy’s clutches. The Rockets are likely hoping to split the League’s forces by having a team defend their base while a second team sets the city ablaze. Junko asks what their options are, but Suzu’oki kills her hope: “there are no other options.” Suzu’oki reveals he will lead the Bust Team into the casino while Erika helms the city defense team. John and Jack volunteer themselves for the Bust Team (B Team?), to Suzu’oki’s expected exasperation. Preferring to have as many trained specialists as he can (i.e. the gym trainers that have worked under Erika), Suzu’oki tells the kids “they’re on [the team]” so long as they play it cool. Junko weasels her way onto the Bust Team, too, prompting Suzu’oki to light another cigarette. With the propensity for information to leak, Erika says they’re on a tight timetable. Suzu’oki orders for everyone to rest up and ready themselves, the mission will commence next Tuesday…Halloween. The meeting breaks, so Junko decides to bug John and Jack. Junko touches an open wound when she asks if he’s traded in his “weak Ratta” for a stronger Pokemon yet, prompting Jack to pin her against the walls by her shoulders. Asking what the Hell is the matter with him; Junko pushes Jack back. Grabbing a Monster Ball, Junko tells Jack she’s ready to whoop him again anytime John tries to explain, but Jack tells him to hush. Using the official gym field, Junko and Jack face-off! Nidorina versus Saihorn, a battle between two four-legged chargers! Of course, John realizes that once again he doesn’t know which Pokemon the others chose as their starter. Junko decides to hit hard and fast, annoyed by Jack’s usual arrogant cool-guy act flaring up. Ordering a Double Kick, Junko plans to hit for the type-advantage. Flying forward, Nidorina powers up her leg, but Saihorn takes the face blow without flinching. Jack orders an Iron Tail and with a swift turn around sends the poison-type flying back. Junko continues to press forward with Double Kick, each blow landing a powerful thud, but Saihorn meets each blow with increasingly higher power. Finally, a swift Iron Tail across her left eye cuts deep. Losing her sight in one eye, Nidorina rushes in for Poison Jab as a change of tactics, but in surprising change of tactics Jack orders Rock Blast. A stream of boulders launch from Saihorn’s mouth, exploding against the weary poison-type. Unable to stand back up, Nidorina passes out. Returning Nidorina to her Monster Ball, Junko reaches for another but Jack retrieves Saihorn and leaves. Apologizing for his reaction, Jack says he’ll see them in a week. John explains that Ratta was killed in a battle with the Rockets, prompting Junko to take on an apologetic look as she watches Orchid leave. Returning to the present, two rivals’ eyes meet in the rain.
•B Part: Two hours after their run in the rain, John and Hitokage are in the thick of their Rainbow Badge challenge (Wednesday, October 25 1995). Stricken by the effects of paralysis and poison, Hitokage’s stamina is fading fast with none of his attacks landing decisive blows. Erika warns John that if he wants to face dangerous opponents, like the Rockets, then he’ll need to become stronger than a Ruffresia that had only just recently evolved. Gripped with self-disgust, John and Hitokage move in for a strike despite their weakening stamina. Having already ‘given’ Hitokage his strength as he did during the battle with Matis’ Raichu, John knows that the one-on-one battle is nearing its end. Ruffresia had easily dispersed Hitokage’s one shot of Flamethrower with her own Solar Beam. It was a crushing blow to their confidence, but knowing Ruffresia had used quite a bit of its strength had saved them some face. Using Metal Claw, Hitokage swipes at Ruffresia, but the short Pokemon is quite agile, dodging the technique with ease before countering with Petal Dance. Cut and bleeding, Hitokage stumbles forward onto his hands and knees. Thinking Hitokage is done, Erika recommends that John quit before Hitokage is unable to battle the Rockets. John tells the gym leader not to underestimate them. “My dear, I know you better than you know yourself!” With a quick lift of his head, Hitokage fires a blast of fire, scorching his grass-type foe’s face. Falling back with a cry, Ruffresia rolls on the ground in agony. Hitokage dashes back into the breach, swiping at his foe with Metal Claw. Ruffresia hops back onto her feet and begins dodging her foe’s assault while using Synthesis to recoup. Finding his efforts going to shit, John uses code to deliver his next order. Picking up on John’s idea, Hitokage begins lighting the grass field aflame. Erika wonders how her foe plans to avoid burning her gym down. Using Erika’s precaution to his advantage, John has Hitokage use the rising flames and smoke to his advantage. Moving in quickly, Hitokage fires Ember blasts at the sitting duck that is his foe. With only her raw reaction time to help her, Ruffresia does her best to dodge the hit-and-run tactics. Hitokage goes in for a finishing blow but stumbles uncharacteristically. Hitokage fruitlessly tries to pick himself up before he and John realize that they’ve been had. Ruffresia unleashes Venoshock, dispersing both the flames and knocking Hitokage across the gym. Erika reveals that Ruffresia used the coverage of the fire and smoke to unleash Poison Powder and Stun Spore. John curses his hubris, wipes sweat from his forehead, and begins to realize just how dangerous Gym Leaders can be. Rising to his feet once more, Hitokage roars in determination, before collapsing to the ground. John cries out Hitokage’s name, but the lizard manages to crack a faint grin as he picks himself back up. Knowing he hasn’t the strength to move, let alone attack, Hitokage stays in place. Moments pass, with neither Ruffresia nor Hitokage moving. Erika decides to end the match with a final Venoshock, but Ruffresia seems unable of movement herself. John laughs as he realizes the prolonged exposure to fire has dried out the plant Pocket Monster, leaving her even more physically feeble than usual. The Gym Trainer judging the match reluctantly declares Jonathan Redwood III the winner. Hitokage collapses a final time, content with the knowledge of his victory. Erika congratulates John for surviving the forty-five minute long battle, telling him it’ll be best to rest up for the bust in six days. Handing him the Rainbow Badge, Erika says the next four gym leaders will be on a totally different level, especially Natsume, whenever she recovers. John thanks Erika and asks her what she meant by knowing him better than he knows himself. Erika smiles softly and places her hand on John’s shoulder. From the size and grip of the hand John instantly recognizes what Erika is trying to tell him. “Y-you’re…!!” Erika softly giggles and for the first time John recognizes a hint of baritone to the majestic woman’s voice. At such a close distance John can now easily see the rather well blended lines of concealer and foundation layering Erika’s face, especially around her mouth. John’s breathing becomes increasingly labored. Memories of Takeshi’s flirting, Kasumi’s curves and bulge and Matis’ incessant obsession with masculinity bothering John consume his conscious. Erika lifts her hand from John and returns it to her kimono, her large breasts heaving as she breathes, entrancing John and giving him ideas he’d never really considered. “I was fortunate enough to be born short but unfortunately my hands are still quite…masculine.” John struggled to gulp down the knot forming in his throat, “Y-you’re transgender?” Erika smiles softly and nods, “I remember being so jealous of the other girls growing up. Mother and Father said I was calling myself a girl as early as age three. I begged my parents for blockers before my secondary sexual characteristics began to appear. Luckily I was able to transition before going through a male puberty. Unfortunately, you seem to be in the middle of one.” Tears escape John’s eyes, “N-no, I-I’m a—I have to be dad’s s-son!” Erika shakes her head “Whoever said that?” John’s memories of that painful upbringing crush the youth, their legs shaking violently. John looks down at their gloved hands, suddenly horrified by their massive size. Tears drop down upon them.
•Ending Credits:
•Meanwhile, at the Rocket base below the Tamamushi Casino, Lance, Athena, and Ryuunosuke begin a video conference with three other shadowed figures. One is Apollo, currently running operations in Jouto, while Lambda sets up operations in the Sevii Islands. On the third monitor is the Boss of the Rocket Gang, shrouded in shadows. Athena reports that all their plans have been set in motion with Porygon scheduled to be completed on time. The Boss reminds his men to remember what is at stake if they fail and hangs up. Ryuunosuke reminds Athena that if her team cannot finish Porygon in time the consequences will be unsightly. Annoyed, Athena leaves the conference room and personally meets with Dr. Fuji, slapping him around a little and telling him he needs to finish the weapon quickly. Fuji claims he needs at least two weeks to complete the coding for Doctor Sumio and his project, but Athena gives him six days. After his boss leaves, Fuji curses his superiors for being blind to the true nature of science.

Episode #13: “Onee-sama & Me (Part 1)”
•On the night of 31 October 1995, John and the rest of the Bust Team have infiltrated the Tamamushi Casino dressed in spiffy, high-class clothing. Junko admonishes John for his fidgeting and asks him why he’s being such a ‘mouth-breather’. John wipes the sweat off of his brow onto the rented tuxedo’s sleeve and desperately works to calm his breathing. Taking a seat at a slot machine, John pretends to be inconspicuous while also reliving the past week. After being ‘accused’ of being a transgender girl by Erika John cried himself to sleep that night. As much as the youth aggressively denied it in front of others he couldn’t help but think about the idea over and over. “I-it can’t be! I’m so old already!” the fifteen year old would sob to himself at night. Hitokage and the rest of Team Redwood would try as they might to console their friend but the youth was nevertheless hurting.
•Opening:
•Playing the slots, John tries to keep an eye on suspicious movement from the casino’s staff, but also keep on the lookout for the signal from Inspector Suzu’oki. Suzu’oki, meanwhile, is one of many schmucks losing to Junko at blackjack. Using the shenanigans as a distraction, Jack follows a waiter into a backroom. Suzu’oki begins to take note of an increased presence of guards, practically forcing him to begin the operation. Suzu’oki signals John and Junko to get ready, but to their surprise Jack is missing!
•Title Card:
•A Part: Meanwhile, Dr. Fuji slams his fists on his keyboard. The code is still imperfect, but if the weapon isn’t ready now he’ll never be able to finish his own cloning ventures. Cursing the executives and Dr. Sumio, Fuji decides to teach Athena a lesson about putting her own personal projects above those of others. Typing in a few commands, Dr. Fuji hits execute and laughs his way over to the two pylons centered in the room. The two pylons brim with energy, a special tear occurring between them. After a loud rumble, something large appears from the special rip. Dr. Fuji grins maniacally. Meanwhile, Suzu’oki is cursing himself for allowing the Orchid boy to be on the Bust Team, despite knowing full well he would want to seek revenge for his Pokemon’s death. Signaling Redwood and Aoki, Suzu’oki leaves the blackjack table and heads for a room labeled ‘Staff Only’. Before they can reach the door, however, some heavies block their way. Meanwhile, Jack slips past Rocket Gang members, looking for his chance to strike. Finally, a lone Rocket walks past. Seizing the moment, Jack orders his Nassy to use Hypnosis. Dragging the Rocket into a storage closet, Jack steals his key card and continues onward. Upstairs, Suzu’oki attempts to keep his cool. If he makes a scene now, chaos will ensue. Even so, no civilian would have clearance to that back room. Reaching for a Monster Ball, Suzu’oki decides to gun it. However, to the terror of everyone in the casino, the ground begins to shake. Suddenly, a large pink and teal Pokemon bursts from the floor. Befuddled, Suzu’oki nonetheless uses the opportunity to knock the guards unconscious. The Inspector tells John to follow him while Junko and the other local trainers recruited take care of whatever the Hell just crashed the party. The casino patrons make off like scurrying mice, leading Junko and the others with the space to battle without fear. Riding atop Porygon, Lance gives the trainers a salute and greeting (“Yo!”) before ordering Porygon to tear the place up. Charging energy, Porygon unleashes a devastating Zap Cannon. Meanwhile, John and Suzu’oki dash through the halls of the basement, looking for Jack. With their Smart phone reception blocked down in the basement, both of them are going to have to stick together as much as they can. Coming across an elevator, the two find a pass code etched into the wall above the doors. Without key cards of their own, Jack knew they’d have a hard time getting downstairs so he had his Spear crave the manual code into the wall. Suzu’oki enters the code, the elevator doors open…only to reveal a group of Rockets and their Pokemon. Dropping a “Shit!” the Inspector unleashes his Windie. The Rockets exit the elevator and their Pokemon begin a multiple man strike offensive on the fire-type beast. Leading the Rockets and their Pokemon away from the elevator, Suzu’oki tells John to go on ahead. Unleashing Onisuzume and Nidorino, John thanks Suzu’oki and hops into the elevator. Meanwhile, Jack and Saihorn break through two large wooden doors, coming to a large room that leads to two others. Athena spins her chair around, revealing herself to Jack. With a cold-look in his eyes, Jack tells Athena to pick her Pokemon.
•B Part: The morning of Thursday October 26 1995 commences like any other for John. Wake; see a terrifying reflection of a miserable human being in the mirror, shower, and morning run with the team, breakfast, shopping, training, lunch, training, dinner, evening run, shower, rest, and sleep before starting it all over again. This morning, with Erika’s words weighing heavy on the youth’s mind, John finds himself back at the Tamamushi Gym. The gym is abuzz with activity as Erika helps train her gym’s plethora of trainers. Erika takes a moment to approach John as ask the youth how they are doing after yesterday’s conversation, “I wasn’t expecting to see you again so soon.” John’s constant misery is quite apparent on their face to the experienced eye of the grass-type user. “H-how do you know that I’m trans, f-for sure?” the youth asks. Erika replies with a soft smile, “I don’t. Nobody knows, only you can know for sure.” The youth is nonplussed by the answer. “How do I know if I’m tr—a girl?” Erika shrugs, “My experience with gender’s different from yours, John I—” The young Redwood heir nearly loses their breakfast at being called by the name they were given at birth. “P-please, don’t call me that,” an air of the shadow of General Jonathan Redwood II washes over the youth before feeling as if it is forcing its way into their mouth and down their throat. Tilting her head, Erika retorts “What, would you rather I call you ‘Jenny-chan’?” The youth restrains a whimper—although doing so poorly—and struggles to not cry. They won’t admit it to themselves let alone another but it definitely feels good. Smiling at the young girl struggling to blossom before her, Erika grabs her by the hand and leads her to her office. The egg nervously sweats as Erika uncharacteristically pushes them into a chair before producing a make-up bag. The egg is aghast at the sight of the bag but is powerless before the sensuality and elder sisterly aura of their senior. Erika hushes the egg’s protests before drying the sweat from their face. Applying some light blush, eye liner and lip stick to the egg’s face Erika giggles all the while. Unable to move, the egg is able to see nothing of the very plainly open chest of the powerful, womanly spirit before him. Large, round and shapely, the breasts begin to resurface memories the egg had tried to banish from their mind years ago. With their anxiety building as they struggle to catch their breath, the egg reaches for their chest but the feel of the flat surface does nothing more than remind them of their long-suppressed memories. Erika’s soothing voice calms the egg, “Now-now, don’t worry, Jen—” the egg’s cracking voice cuts the gym leader off, “’Akane’!” she shouts, “Call me ‘Akane’!” Erika’s face morphs from surprise to warming love with the gentlest of micro-motions. “Nice you meet you, Akane-chan,” Erika corrects herself as she presents a hand mirror to the hatching egg, “What do you think?” Akane weeps at the sight of her face. Obviously, still that of a fifteen year old boy, but at the same time…proof of a bridge to the end of the puzzle.
•Ending Credits:
•Hitokage watches in shock as his trainer learns with glee how to apply make-up from the nurturing Onee-sama. “Johnny’s—Akane’s never been so happy before!” Akane’s smile warms Hitokage’s heart and steals his resolve.

Episode #14: “Onee-sama & Me (Part 2)”
•Aoki pulls herself out of some rubble that had fallen on her after Porygon’s devastating Zap Cannon. Cut and bruised, Junko finds she isn’t the only one injured. Unleashing Nidorina and Utsubot, Junko stands to face Lance alongside the other trainers. Snidely remarking that they have no chance, Lance orders a Tri-Attack. The small army of trainers and their Pokemon narrowly avoid the attack and launch a counter-offensive. Water-type Pokemon unleash their strongest water techniques, but with a glow, Porygon becomes resistant to the attack. Utsubot and other grass-types use Razor Leaf, but another simple glow renders the Pokemon resistant as well. Checking her smart phone (the Pokemon Zuukan is a built-in application); Junko learns that the Pokemon is not in the encyclopedia. With a cackle, Lance reveals that this Porygon is a Pokemon developed completely by the Rocket Gang. Junko asks how this was possible, but Lance only says that technology has made many things once thought impossible possible. Ordering another Zap Cannon, Lance orders the teams spread across the city to begin the operation. Junko and the others demand to know what he’s up to, but Lance flips them the bird and tells them “dead people don’t need to die fulfilled.” All of the Pokemon make a mad dash to stop Porygon from firing, unleashing all of their various attacks. Lance curses to himself, knowing Porygon’s Conversion technique won’t allow it to take the brunt of the attacks. Charging its Zap Cannon, Porygon takes a beating. Finally, to Aoki’s dismay, Porygon fires before she can even tell everyone to duck. White light envelopes the Tamamushi Casino.
•Opening Credits:
•Meanwhile, teams of Rocket Gang members set the city ablaze with their Pokemon and explosives. Riding atop the house-sized Porygon, Lance dances amongst the flames before taking a powerful blast of Water Gun to the face. Recovering from the surprise attack, Lance looks down on the beaten and bruised Junko, now accompanied by her Kameil. Lance snaps his fingers and some Rocket Pokemon attack, but a speedy and impressive Rapid Spin whips them back. Lance smirks smugly, saying to himself “this’ll be fun.” Meanwhile, Erika and Monjara rush through a burning apartment building, removing debris from their path. Cries of trapped children penetrate all of her senses, driving her on to find the source of the screams. Reaching the top floor, Erika finds three kids pinned into a corner, a Rocket member and his Golbat keeping them in place. The Rocket member motions with a large knife that he’s going to kill the kids personally, but Monjara swiftly binds him with her vines. Noticing the party-crasher, the Rocket orders his Golbat to use Confuse Ray. Monjara and Erika are driven into confusion, stumbling around, but the shrieking of her Pokemon snaps Erika back to attention. Golbat has used Air Cutter, slicing several vines off of Monjara. What’s more, a swift Steel Wing has sent the grass-type flying into fire. Quickly returning her Pokemon to her Monster Ball, Erika reaches for another before being tackled to the ground by the Rocket member. Staring into his crazed eyes, Erika realizes reason has long since left this man. The Rocket tears at the struggling gym leader’s clothes. Meanwhile, John continues searching the underground Rocket hideout. Combing the halls, John, Onisuzume, and Nidorino come to a dead end. Turning around to head back the way they came, Team Redwood is stopped in their tracks by the man in the domino mask from the incident in Kuchiba City. Stricken with fear, John gulps hard as the man orders his Strike to attack.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Using Rapid Spin, Kameil manages to avoid or bounce back Porygon’s Psybeam attacks. Lance curses Dr. Fuji, remembering how Fuji informed him that not all of his powers were functioning completely. Kameil knocks the Rocket Executive off of Porygon, annoying the criminal. Unleashing his scarred Sandpan, Lance orders Porygon to continue onward to the city library, destroying as much as he can along the way. Junko detests this order, but before Kameil can attack Porygon, Sandpan slices the water-type’s stomach. With a good slice in his shell, Kameil redirects his attention to Sandpan. This will be a life-or-death battle. Meanwhile, Jack orders Saihorn to fire Rock Blast, but Athena’s Ruffresia easily evades the blasts and spits out Acid. Saihorn avoids the poison, but he’s beginning to run out of floor he can still safely step on. Jack orders a Megahorn, but a powerful Razor Leaf barrage slices and dices the rock-type before he can charge very far. Finally, Ruffresia uses Mega Drain to absorb Saihorn’s remaining energy. With Saihorn unconscious, Jack switches out for Pigeon. Athena remains unwaveringly confident, only further adding fuel to Jack’s fire. Meanwhile, Nidorino leaps forward to protect his master, jabbing Strike good in the chest with Horn Attack…or so he thought! The image of Strike disappears once penetrated, while the real one appears behind the poison-type. John curses aloud, realizing that Strike had used Double Team. To Nidorino’s horror, he takes a swift Slash attack to his right side, the force of the swing strong enough to send him flying into the wall to his left. Strike turns his attention to John next, but Onisuzume dives in with Fury Attack. Strike easily glides around Onisuzume’s Gatling-esque Peck attacks and with what looks like a flick of his wrist sends Onisuzume into the ceiling before crashing back into the ground. Onisuzume lays on the ground, dazed, realizing he only took the blunt side of the bug-type’s scythe but still feels like he’s gone a half hour with Starmie’s Rapid Spin. Strike raises his scythe at the petrified John, but a rush from behind sends him stumbling forward into the wall. Breathing and bleeding heavily, Nidorino signals John to get behind him. Returning Onisuzume to his Monster Ball, John quickly retakes a command position, weary of the domino mask-wearing Rocket to the rear. John nonetheless decides to keep the fight going, ordering a Double Kick, but Strike easily avoids the kicks and swipes Nidorino down his forehead. Hearing his Pokemon agonized in pain, John returns Nidorino to his Monster Ball fearful he’ll die just like Ratta. Reaching for Hitokage’s Monster Ball, John races against the clock to unleash his best soldier before Strike can slash him. Back in the city, Kameil avoids Sandpan’s swipes, firing a Water Gun blast from his mouth. The ground-type nimbly cranes his head to the left and uses a pick-up motion with his left claw to both slash and send the water-type flying upwards. Back flipping through the air, Kameil lands on his feet in front of his trainer. Catching her Pokemon peering back at her, Junko knows that they’re running out of ideas. Sandpan is easily avoiding their long range techniques and is continually making this into a close-range battle. What’s more, Porygon is still floating towards the library, barely bothered by the police force and recruited Pokemon trainers trying to stop it. Snapping back to attention as Kameil narrowly avoids another of Sandpan’s slashes (try saying that phrase three times fast); Junko remembers the trump card they’ve been wording on. Backed up against some rubble, Kameil hears his mistress’ order to use their new still in-progress technique. Deciding to gamble on it, Kameil channels ice-type elemental energy into his right fist and slams it into the Sandpan’s side. Gasping in unexpected pain, Sandpan freezes. Taking his chance, Kameil fires a full power Water Gun at close range, sending the ground-type flying through a store window. Cursing his luck, Lance orders Sandpan to dig. Burrowing through the store’s floor and into the Earth, Sandpan breaks through the concrete of the sewers and the street, and slices into Kameil from below. Feeling blood ready to burst from his mouth, Kameil aims at Sandpan’s eyes. Now blinded by blood, Sandpan carelessly falls back into the sewer as it tries to run the blood out of his eyes in a panic. Recalling Sandpan, Lance unleashes his Metadogas, ordering a Sludge Bomb. Hunched over on his knees and grabbing his injured side, Kameil rolls himself backwards in a hurry to avoid the purple blast of poison-type energy, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow. Cursing her luck, Junko knows instinctively that she hasn’t got a Pokemon left capable of beating Metadogas. Struggling to his feet, Kameil refuses to give up and goes in for an Ice Punch…but to his horror his punch has no ice energy behind it. Junko curses to herself, knowing that the first time was just luck. Metadogas sends Kameil flying back with Double Hit. Despite his shaky legs, Kameil picks himself back up and tries to use Water Gun, but the water-type winds up only coughing up blood, his lungs too battered to support the use of Water Gun. Lance tells Junko he’s going to suffocate them to death with Metadogas’s Smokescreen and Smog, but before he can order Metadogas a golden Solar Beam pierces the soot-filled air of Tamamushi, striking Metadogas and sending him flying into a van parked on the sidewalk. Junko and the others shoot their attention to the direction the blast came from, finding a Kireihana and Erika, each admitting a golden aura. Lance curses to himself, recognizing the Tamamushi Gym Leader. Junko recognizes that this is Erika’s true power, when she is fully enraptured in her aura as an experienced veteran trainer. Erika tells Lance she has arrived to put an end to the chaos, her eyes obscured by the golden light.
•B Part: Friday October 27, 1995: Erika-oneesama asks her understudy to exit from the dressing room. Nervous to no describable degree, Akane tepidly reveals herself to her senior. “Uh…um…how do I look?” Hair combed forward into a cute pixie cut with a cotton-dressed pink hair band to highlight her short black locks, Akane’s face grew red with blush. The full spa experience had been nice enough but to be personally dressed by one of the most beautiful trainers in Kantou was a total dream for the hatchling. “See? Lovely, if I do say so myself.” Akane turns around to finally face herself in the mirror. The shoulder-less top was made of a softer material that Akane had seen other girls wear but had never tried herself. Whatever it was called the yellow top nicely framed her broad shoulders in a way that helped alleviate gender dysphoria, although did not eliminate it. Months of walking had helped the Masara Town trainer develop a flat tummy that Erika-oneesama had boldly decided that she wanted to see. The high-cut to the top, which otherwise bore a sort of sweater-esque constitution nicely showed off Akane’s navel. The high-riding blue jean shorts provided a nice barrier between Akane’s navel and her flaring quadriceps. Thousands of miles walked had given the teenager flaring quads lined with muscle. Akane had never thought of musculature on a woman as being particularly ‘sexy’ before but seeing herself in the mirror the fiery girl felt for once that perhaps her height didn’t make her less feminine. Then, Akane heard her voice and shrank. “This is so great…and so terrifying!” Erika leans toward her junior and embraces her into her bust, “Hush now, Akane-chan. Just remember that you aren’t wrong to feel how you feel.” Reassurance fills Akane and for the first time in her life she experiences joy and a sense of belonging. Akane tepidly steps out of the department store and joins Erika at a lunch, filled with salads and sides that Akane is unaccustomed to. Erika explains that the proper diet helps girls like them build and maintain feminine figures. Afraid of being clocked, Akane lowers her head. The two girls continue to gab when a group of teen boys pass by and try to hit on Akane. Flustered, Akane thanks the boys in her best impromptu girl voice. Drawn in by the strange voice, the boys lean in to catch at better look at the cutie but Erika’s make-up skills and clothing choices definitely paint Akane as cisgender. Hitokage and Akane’s other Pokemon break from their meals and chase off the group of boys so that their mistress can finally catch her breath. Exhaling loudly, Akane thanks Hitokage and the others by returning their ambush hugs. Emoting and feeling emotions had been so difficult in boy mode but now relationships felt so genuine to Akane. She couldn’t just be the girl she envied; she WAS the girl she envied. The day begins to draw to a close and Team Redwood bid Erika farewell so as to rest at the Pokemon Center. Akane sneaks her way through the Pokemon Center dorms to avoid Jack and Junko. Overhearing the same group of boys from the department store cafeteria Akane is horrified to hear them talk about her with transphobic slurs. Akane confronts the boys by calling them out but their rebuttal is merely to laugh at her dripping mascara. Akane runs crying to her room and cries herself to sleep. The next morning, Akane returns to boy mode and training her team for the coming battle.
•Ending Credits: Akane and Erika shopping and doing events together.
•Hitokage frowns at ‘John’ as he disembarks from the dorm room in boy mode.

Episode #15: “Onee-sama & Me (Part 3)”
•Just as Strike is about to slice John to ribbons, a ball of fire crashes into the mantis, sending the green bug-type flying back against the wall. The ball of fire disperses, revealing a Windie. The man in the domino mask turns around swiftly, finding Inspector Suzu’oki behind him. Backing to the left (when exiting the dead-end hallway), Ryuunosuke regains his composure. Suzu’oki apologizes for making “a wet-behind-the-ears kid like you” wait so long and orders Windie to “finish the job.” With impressive speed, Strike reappears by his master’s side. Suzu’oki tells John that he overheard a Rocket grunt talking about how the city is in chaos. The domino mask-wearing man laughs, confirming that this is true. John tells the masked man to shut up, but the masked man says he has no reason to. Suzu’oki tells John to go assist Erika’s team, having Windie burn away what remains of the back wall that Strike had been knocked into. Behind the wall is a tunnel leading into the sewers. John hesitates, but Suzu’oki barks at him. Calling out Hitokage, Pikachu, and Butterfree, John heads out. Suzu’oki returns his attention to the foe before him and says he’s heard of him from Matis. The domino mask man informs the Inspector that he is much, much stronger than he has heard. Meanwhile, Jack continues his battle with Athena. Ruffresia’s Petal Dance technique has kept the physical attack-using Pigeon at bay, chipping away at his health and stamina. Unable to unleash a decisive blow, Jack’s patience wears thinner and thinner. Finally, Jack decides to do for the kill. Using Tsubame Gaeshi, Pigeon zooms towards Ruffresia at full speed, breaking through the barrage of pink petals. Striking Ruffresia with his wing, Pigeon sends the Pokemon flying into the wall behind her master. Athena finally rises from her seat behind her desk and returns Ruffresia to her Monster Ball. Jack does likewise with the bleeding and bruised Pigeon. Mocking the boy’s frivolous attempt at revenge, Athena unleashes her prized Arbok once again. Unleashing his Fushigisou, Jack promises to crush her with his full might.
•Opening Credits:
•Jack orders Leech Seed, but Arbok easily disintegrates the seed with Acid and follows up with a close-range Iron Tail, but Fushigisou hops and twists in the air, attempting a Tackle, but the swift snake avoids the Tackle and slides back around the Pokemon, going in for a Fire Fang. Sensing the approaching danger from behind, Fushigisou shoots out vines and quickly pulls itself to a couch on the side of the room, narrowly evading the devastating fire-type technique. Jack orders a barrage of Razor Leaf, but Arbok easily dismisses them with Iron Tail and Acid. Running out of ways he can hit the poison-type, Jack decides to make a gamble. Fushigisou, understanding his master’s heart, unleashes Stun Spore. Breathing the spores, Arbok begins to cough, but Athena is hardly impressed. Knowing his window of opportunity is short, Jack orders Vine Whip to hold Arbok in place. With the stunned Pokemon now doubly held in place, Fushigisou unleashes a second barrage of Razor Leafs, slicing and cutting Arbok. Shrieking as her blood spills, Arbok’s Shed Skin ability activates, and it slips out of its skin…and the vines! Quickly slithering over to Fushigisou, Arbok slams her Iron Tail into Fushigisou, the force so tremendous that the couch Fushigisou was standing on snaps in two. Screaming his soldier’s name, Jack steps forward, before recognizing that Fushigisou is still willing to fight. Gathering his energy together in his bulb instinctively, Fushigisou decides to gamble on a last resort. Jack recognizes what Fushigisou is attempting and passes along his own energy as well as he can. Firing a yellow ball of light into the air, Fushigisou lights the room brilliantly. Athena and Arbok shield their eyes as they readjust to the extra light. With the yellow ball of light acting as a miniature sun, Jack orders Fushigisou fire a Solar Beam. Surprised, Athena orders Arbok to get ready. Brimming with the golden aura of their passion, Jack and Fushigisou unleash a full power Solar Beam from the bulb dinosaur’s bulb. Facing the brilliant white light, Athena and Arbok brace themselves.
•Title Card:
•A Part: John and friends pull themselves out of the sewer manhole to find themselves in a city brimming with chaos. Even common criminals and whack jobs have taken to the streets to continue spreading the carnage and chaos. Fighting their way past, Team Redwood comes across the powerful Pokemon from earlier. Hitokage, Pikachu, and Butterfree unleash their strongest attacks, but the Pokemon remains unperturbed. John notices that they are in front of the city library. Porygon fires a Tri-Attack, blasting a large hole through the library and entering through it. John runs up the front steps of the library but hears a familiar voice from behind. Junko and Erika both injured but alive, unite with the Redwood Army. Erika frowns at seeing the young Akane-chan back in ‘boy mode’ and the egg can hardly stop themselves from averting their eyes from Erika. Unaware of the situation between the two, Junko rolls her eyes and tells them to follow her inside. Inside the library, John and friends find Porygon has fired some sort of beam into the computers. Lance appears—himself limping, bruised, and bleeding—from behind a bookshelf. Lance explains that Porygon was created to hack into the governments computers to find out the location of the nation’s riches and other precious resources. John recognizes Lance from Mount Moon, ready to attack him. Erika orders John to stand down, stating that Lance might very well be the only one capable of stopping Porygon, but Lance laughs at this. Breathing heavily, Lance reveals that all of the top Rocket personnel have control of Porygon, but that said, he won’t stop it. John demands to know what their goals are, but Lance just laughs this off, too. Turning his attention to Porygon, John decides they’ll just have to stop it with force. Erika has Ruffresia use Razor Leaf, cutting the network computer and power cables. The many library computers suddenly go dim, to Lance’s ire, but he reveals it doesn’t matter. They’ll just find another computer with internet access. John asks why they didn’t try this with their own computers, or in a less noisy operation, but Lance reveals that Porygon had just become operational this night, so they knew they only had one chance to begin the operation. Miffed, John orders his Pokemon to attack Porygon before it can attack them. Erika’s Kireihana and Junko’s Kameil join in. The collected wave of attacks finally grabs Porygon’s attention, leading the electric soldier to discharge a burst of power and fire off Psybeam. The Pokemon manage to avoid the blasts, but the discharged electricity tears the ceiling and bookshelves apart. John orders a second time, and with all of their strength the Pokemon fire a Solar Beam, Water Gun, Flamethrower, Thunderbolt, and Confusion. Lance laughs some more, prompting John to ask what is so funny. Lance points to Porygon, using Recover, to restore its health even as it is under assault. John curses aloud, knowing they’re in trouble.
•B Part: Hitokage adamantly fires off another Flamethrower, despite being in no condition to do so. John supports and cheers Hitokage on, but the fire grows weaker and weaker. Porygon fires a Zap Cannon at the floor, turning the library floor into a thinly spread layer of rubble and junk. Everyone pulls themselves out of the rubble as best they can. John notices that Hitokage, Pikachu, Kameil, and Kireihana are stuck. What’s worse, even the humans are stuck. Shaking the dizziness from her head, Junko sees before her Butterfree, lying in a pool of his own blood. Junko shrieks, grabbing John’s attention. Seeing his Pokemon on the ground, dead, John is stricken pale. Lance manages to pull himself out of the rubble, gloating all the way. Junko tells him to go to Hell, but Lance just kicks her in the head, then steps on Butterfree’s corpse, which spurts blood on Junko’s face. John stares with hatred at Porygon, their resolve renewed. Lance says “I think I’ll go destroy the mayor’s office at town hall, then the schools.” Junko, despite blood dripping into her eyes, says she thinks she sees a weak spot! Everyone looks, John finally noticing that Porygon’s mouth looks as if it’s twitching…like disrupted static. Lance reminds them that Porygon was a rush job, so not everything is perfect. It doesn’t even matter, he tells them, as they’re too tired to get unstuck. Suddenly, a red burst of energy escapes one of John’s Monster Balls and appears in the air. It’s Onisuzume! While still beaten up, Onisuzume has the most strength left to fight. Bidding his master farewell, Onisuzume dashes off towards Porygon’s weak spot at full speed. Erupting in a burst of light, Onisuzume evolves into Onidrill. Driving forth with all of his might, Onidrill uses Drill Peck, piercing the static area with great force. Shocked, Lance leaps back as the room is enveloped in a white light. John wakes up at an in-city military camp site several hours later, the sun beginning to rise on the horizon. Looking for his Pokemon, John finds Pikachu and Nidorino recovering in their Monster Balls. Stumbling around, despite his injuries, John calls out for Hitokage and Onidrill half-delusional. Erika and some others try to get John to lie back down, but the youth pushes past them looking for the missing teammates. John comes across a red blur looking at a water fountain. Stumbling towards it, John calls out to Hitokage. Vision clearing, John is sent falling back on their rear as the figure erupts into flames. Hearing a sorrowful roar, John’s heart understands its meaning instantly. When Junko, Jack, Suzu’oki, and Erika catch up, they find John and Lizardo embracing in tears.
•Ending Credits: Erika and Junko rush to the young Redwood heir’s side in tears. The youth sobs into Erika’s chest, apologizing profusely.
•Thursday 02 November 1995: Presenting fem, Akane exits the Tamamushi City Pharmacy with bottles of Estradiol and Spironolactone in her hands.

Episode #16: “Six Months Later”
•Junko learns what life is like for a small village on the border between the main land of Kantou and Jouto. Six months after the battle at Tamamushi City, Aoki Junko is on an expedition in the borderland between Kantou and the Jouto colonies (Wednesday, April 5 1996). Having arrived with a human rights group to provide aide to the sick and injured, Junko seeks redemption for her failure to stop Porygon. Several hundred died that night, including two of Akane’s Pokemon. Filled with guilt, Junko joined the expedition to try to find some form of peace. Remembering her last confrontation with Akane, five months ago after finding her camping in the Safari Zone, Junko’s face turns sour as she remembers how she was no longer the boy she had known. Returning her thoughts to her work, Junko applies some basic first-aide to a kid and his pet Koratta.
•Opening Credits:
•Junko heads to the local food-‘n-water shack for the local cuisine. The waterhole is nearly empty, save for some boarder troops off duty and three old men playing cards, and the owner. Placing her order, Junko grabs a table in the corner while waiting. Overhearing the troops talk about keeping the boarder closed and secure, Junko begins to wonder if she can accomplish anything here. Overhearing one of the men complain about how boring and run down the village is Junko suggests they actually try helping the people. The soldier’s scoff at this, saying they’re too busy on patrol and are too tired after to do anything but try to have some fun. Finishing her meal, Junko stands to leave before being hounded by some of the soldiers. Despite the soldiers being only a few years older than her, Junko plays it cool by telling them they’re too old for her. Annoyed, the soldiers grab the sixteen year old and threaten her, but one of townsfolk comes to her aide before she can grab a Monster Ball. One of the soldiers, because there’s always a dick in these sorts of shows, pushes the older man aside and returns his attention to Junko. Angered, Junko slaps the soldier and knees down to ask the older man if he’s unharmed. Before the soldiers can retaliate, the owner tells them to beat it before he calls in their commanding officer. Annoyed, the chided soldier tells Junko that things aren’t over between them, but Junko retorts with her middle finger. The soldiers leave, so Junko and the pub owner sit the brave civilian up in a chair. Junko thanks the older man—Kuni—but asks he not endanger himself like that. Junko says she’s confident in her ability to handle chumps like them, especially with her Pokemon friends. ‘Kuni-san’ says she does have an aura about her and reveals he was more concerned about the effect of the soldiers causing trouble. Junko inquiries further, but the barkeep interjects, explaining that with hostilities between the colonies and the mainland are growing more and more heated. If it were to get out that the soldiers “assigned to protect the people from wild Pokemon” on the boarder had been involved in an incident with the civilians, the colonies might retaliate. Junko tells them she’s from Masara Town so they don’t have much to worry about. Kuni-san says that such isn’t necessarily true. Not all of the people of the colonies are indifferent or coldblooded. Seeing a pretty, young girl bullied by the ever-despised occupation forces would just give the colonists reason to take their anger out on them. Junko apologizes once more, telling the two she’ll be more careful.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Later, Junko has returned to her duties at the shelter. With the economy in the colonies failing due to over-taxation by the main prefecture’s government, medical care has become too expensive for smaller villages and towns. This village in particular has seen most of its doctors abandon their post. Only two remain, now working at their own expense and in tandem with the shelters funded by the human rights groups and other individuals. Junko’s even heard rumors that light fighting has broken out across the land and that most of her patients are revolutionary soldiers. A young man in his early twenties named Kishio whom Junko has been changing bandages for, mentions that the prefectural government is keeping these skirmishes hush-hush so that they are not embarrassed by the rest of the nation. Junko asks him how he would know such a thing, but Kishio winks and says that is a secret. Suddenly, the soldier’s from earlier barge into the shelter, now on duty. Being loud jackasses, they mess with the patients for a little while. The director of the shelter tries to ask them to state their business or leave, but the lead soldier shoves him aside. The director hits a bookcase and hurts his right shoulder. Finally stating their business, the soldier’s reveal they’re looking for some criminals that were involved with a little skirmish near Fusube City a few days ago. Kishio slides under his cot’s blanket a bit, Junko taking the hint by repositioning herself to better obscure Kishio’s presence. One of the sick, elderly women snap out at the soldier’s, saying “those boys aren’t criminals, they’re soldiers!” prompting one of the soldiers to hit her in the head with the handle of his gun. Junko instinctively reaches for a Monster Ball, but Kishio grabs her arm and holds he back. The lead soldier talks more smack, saying he’ll make everyone line up against the wall, naked, if they don’t cooperate. Telling Junko to take his bag to his family in Wakaba Town and tell them to forgive him, Kishio limps out of bed and raises his hands. Admitting he’s the only soldier here, Private Kishio Tarou requests they not disturb the sick and elderly anymore. Knocked over the head by a soldier, Kishio uses the last of his strength to look Junko in the eye before passing out. Junko tries to stand and protest, but the patient next to Kishio’s cot tells her not to brand herself a war criminal. The soldier’s leave and the room’s collectively held breath is freed. Junko asks aloud what is going to happen to ‘Kishio-kun’. One patient says if he’s lucky enough he won’t be treated as a prisoner of war and will only be imprisoned for a year or two. Junko asks what will happen if he’s treated as a POW or convicted of treason, but the man remains silent. Rushing outside the door, Junko runs to the military camp. Begging the guards to let her in to see her patient, the girl is denied. A commanding officer appears, having heard the girl’s protests, and tells her there is nothing she can do. Junko demands to know how Kishio will be treated, but the C.O. tells her she’ll be better off not knowing. Clenching a Monster Ball in her hand, Junko stares the officer, trying hard to bypass his sunglasses and see into his eyes. The officer tells her he knows she has neither the strength nor the understanding to do battle with them. Turning with a wave, the officer tells the girl to go home and forget about the boy. After hours of standing in front of the base, Junko returns to the shelter to pack her things. Six months have passed, but Junko feels as weak as ever.
•B Part: On Friday, April 7 1996, Orchid Jack explores the abandoned Power Plant on the eastern coast of Kantou. Searching for signs of the legendary Pokemon Thunder, Jack hopes to add the powerful Pokemon to his team. Jack’s Thunders, walking beside him, asks why the Power Plant has become a rundown hideout for electric-types. Jack explains that the Power Plant had been abandoned after it was targeted during the war thirty years ago. Being that it served as a remote back-up plant for the eastern coast villages and cottages, its restoration was deemed unnecessary in light of the prefecture’s shaky economy at the time. Electric-type Pokemon gathered here even before it was abandoned to feed on the electric discharges that they could. In recent months, reports from villagers had come in that a large golden bird had begun to be seen in the area. Thunders scoffs at the idea of Jack needing another electric-type, especially when he had him, Elekid, Biriridama, Coil, and even a Rarecoil. Jack reminds his Thunders of their team motto, the cocky fox grumbling out “Right, right, ‘strength in numbers’.” Passing through the old cafeteria, the two hear something. Turning their attention to behind the counter, the two prepare for a battle. Thunders sniffs, realizing the foe isn’t too big a threat, and jumps into the fray. After hearing the two wrestle behind the counter, Jack moves in to see what’s going on. Behind the counter, Thunders is wrestling with a wild Pikachuu, both trying to win in a battle of biting and scratching. Finally, Thunders latches on and swings the Pikachuu through the counter and into a turned over table. Shaking the pain off, the Pikachuu scurries off in defeat. After making sure Thunders is okay, Jack continues his search. Finally reaching the main generator room, Jack is overcome by the sight of such a large warehouse now brilliantly lit up. Thunders wisecracks that he thought an abandoned Power Plant wouldn’t work. Jack mentions it shouldn’t, but somehow it is. Suddenly, a Raichu, Eleboo, Marumine, and Rarecoil appear, surrounding Team Orchid. Switching to battle mode, Jack reaches for his Monster Balls, but a streak of blue electricity stuns him. Cursing himself for not protecting his master, Thunders looks around the room desperately for the source of the Thunder Wave. To Thunders’ utter dismay, a large, glowing golden bird reveals itself from behind the generators. Struggling to pick himself up, Jack says the Pokemon’s name, “Thunder.” Spreading its wings, the bird lets loose a roaring shriek. Summoning all of his strength, Jack looks the legendary Pokemon in the eye. The weight of Thunder’ power finally hits Jack, hard, sending his glare right back to the floor he struggles to lift himself off of. Annoyed by Thunder’ attempt to make his presence known, Thunders fires a barrage of Pin Missiles. The needles fired out of Thunders’ mane do no visible harm to the legendary Pokemon. Thunders leaps in for a ‘Bite’ against his master’s protest but manages to latch onto Thunder’ wing. With a swift swing, Thunder slams the Pokemon back into the skywalk and continues to float in the air unharmed. Struggling to his feet despite his dizziness, Thunders fires back with defiant eyes. Jack finally pulls himself to his feet, despite the Thunder Wave, and tells Thunders to go in for a Thunder attack. With their hearts in-synch, the two unleash an awesome display of electric energy, but Thunder receives the blast with no effect. Exhausted, the trainer and Pokemon begin to feel their knees buckle. Thunders fires again, the outcome damned. Again and again, Thunder receives the lightning bursts unaffected. Finally, Team Orchid falls to their knees in defeat. Thunders curses his weakness, prompting Thunder to speak. Thunder tells Thunders his spirit is the mightiest he has seen in a long time. His spirit will someday lead them to great recognition, even if he cannot defeat the legendary Thunder. Thunder says Jack was correct to seek out power through spirit, rather than hate. Thunders turns to his master, seeking an explanation for Thunder’ words, but Jack gives none. Thunder says he will be sure to accept a rematch one day, when Jack’s spirit soars in the heavens. The exhausted Jack and Thunders pass out. Hours later, Jack finds himself at the Cion Town Pokemon Center, having been found unconscious outside of the front door. The paralysis gone, Jack picks up his gear and decides to restore another’s spirit, just as his has been restored.
•Ending Credits:
•Deep within the Safari Zone a trainer washes her fray-edged tee-shirt in the middle of a calm river. Pulling down her too-small bra to better cover her A-cup breasts the sixteen year old grumbles in a high pitch voice that it must be time for a new bra. Scrubbing the dirt from her dark, shoulder-length hair, Akane turns around to admonish Lizardo and her other Pokemon as their playing knocks over their tent. “Hey you guys, watch what you’re doing!” she shouts with a cute pout.

Episode #17: “King”
•On Monday, April 10, Akane Redwood III encounters the King of the Safari Zone, Kentauros. A regular foe of hers, Akane has spent the past five months trying to defeat the normal-type and capture him, but has remained unable to do so. Not even Lizardo has tasted victory in these six months since the battle in Tamamushi. Deciding to gamble, Akane calls forth her newest Pokemon, Kingler. When she captured Kingler, she felt somewhat guilty for ‘replacing’ Fearow, but Kingler’s power and ability to use Surf has made him invaluable in the Safari Zone. A king of water-type Pokemon, Kingler joined Akane’s team three months ago after learning of her intent to defeat Kentauros. Looking for some excitement in his life, Kingler wants to face the Safari Zone King with his own might. Now, the two have come face-to-face at last. Recognizing Akane as one of the many trainers who have tried to tame him multiple times, Kentauros scoffs. Charging in, Kentauros uses Take Down, but Kingler impressively side-steps the charge and uses Crab Hammer to slam the bull’s ribs. Impressed, Kentauros suddenly splits into multiple copies of himself. Akane orders a quick Bubblebeam, hitting the multiple images at once. The afterimages disappear, but Kentauros remains unaffected, charging in and slamming Kingler once more. Holding his ground, Kingler frees one of his claws from his guard and raise it to strike, however, Kentauros shows off his impressive neck strength by launching the crab into the air. Holding the high-ground, Kingler fires off a Mud Shot. Kentauros sneers, dispersing the stream of mud with Horn Drill. Cursing to herself, Akane orders a Metal Claw, since the crab is about to land on top of Kentauros. Kentauros just continues to sneer, generating a Thunderbolt from his horns. Before he can slam some steel into his foe, Kingler is sent flying back towards his trainer. Akane curses to herself again, ordering Surf. Reclaiming his standing, Kingler summons a tidal wave of roaring water, but Kentauros uses Horn Drill to disperse the wave, allowing only the environment around him to be soaked. Kentauros launches another Thunderbolt, prompting Akane to order a Crab Hammer and Metal Claw strike on the ground. With large chunks of earth and debris in the air, Akane hopes they can avoid the full force of the Thunderbolt, but the electric-type energy snaps through the debris nonetheless, and electrocutes Kingler badly. Paralyzed and losing consciousness, Kingler tells Akane he only has one blast left. Holding out his right claw, Kingler tries to aim steadily. Akane curses her luck, telling herself she should have struck sooner. Locked-on as well as he can see, Kingler begins charging energy, but Kentauros strikes first, sending Kingler hoping with Earthquake. Feeling the ground-type energy powered seismic waves traverse through his body, Kingler feels utterly overwhelmed. Blacking out as a precautionary measure, Kingler curses his luck. Kentauros, with his voice oddly reminiscent of Ginga Banjou, tells the unconscious water-type he’ll accept his challenge for a rematch anytime. Falling to her knees in defeat, Akane pounds the ground with self-disgust.
•Opening Credits:
•Akane, hearing a familiar voice telling her she’s not acting like herself, turning to find Jack exiting the brush. Akane sees her old friend, but returns her attention to Kingler.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Later, Akane is tending to Kingler at Jack’s campsite. Akane admits to her old rival that she’s faced Kentauros five times now, but still can’t win. Jack tells his rival that such makes perfect sense when she isn’t giving the battles her heart. Angered by this, Akane snaps back that she’s spent months training to beat Kentauros, that she’s trying his best. Jack corrects her, telling her she’s been training, but she hasn’t been fighting with her full strength, or else she would have had Kentauros on at least her second try. Akane exclaims in English “Bullshit!”, but Jack asks her how is it she’s managed to hold off foes that have struck to kill in the past, but can’t beat a single foe not even fighting with her full strength. Akane isn’t sure how to answer, but Jack does for her. Jack tells Akane that she’s forgotten who she is and why she’s a trainer. “What, are you talking about my gender?!” the irate girl shoots back. Jack shakes his head, “No, your gender has nothing to do with it.” Without remembering why she’s a trainer, she can’t beat Kentauros, let alone get the four remaining badges. Akane stares at the ground, desperately searching for an answer. Putting out the fire and hitching his bag to his motorbike, Jack tells Redwood that “Aoki was pretty upset with you when you last spoke five months ago.” Akane remembers how Junko chewed her out when she found her camping out in the Safari Zone. Akane tells Orchid she told her to mind her own business before she ran off in a huff. Jack reminds Akane that she isn’t the only one with emotional scars from that night. Revving his bike’s engine, Jack tells Akane that he regrets giving up reason for revenge, especially when he fought a losing battle at the expense of his friend’s Pokemon. Akane says she doesn’t blame anyone but herself, but Jack tells her “That’s not the point. Anyway, you make a cute girl, Red” before putting on his helmet and riding off. Blushing at the compliment, Akane returns her attention to Kingler and tries to think of what she’s forgotten. The next morning (Tuesday, April 11 1996), Akane wakes up to find Lizardo whispering to Kingler about something. Shaking off the morning grogginess, Akane asks what they’re talking about with a yawn. Caught off guard, Lizardo says he’ll go check for some firewood. Kingler approaches Akane, telling her he’s ready for a rematch. Akane says it’s no good so soon, since they haven’t had time to increase their strength. Kingler says he doesn’t need any further strength to “just beat Kentauros.” Later, Lizardo returns from “collecting firewood” with the King of the Safari Zone. Akane nearly drops her breakfast, caught off guard by the sudden arrival. Kingler steps up and readies himself for battle. Nervous, Akane reluctantly agrees. Taking their places in a nice, wide open field, the battle begins. With Lizardo by his side, Akane orders Kingler to fire Mud Shot. This time, however, Kingler fires at the ground. Confused, Akane tries to ask Kingler what he’s thinking, but Kentauros rushes through the muddied field anyhow. Akane recognizes what Kingler’s plan was; the mud would slow down Kentauros’ charges, but the normal-type shows no signs of slowing down and dashes right at Kingler. Wanting to avoid taking as much damage as she can, especially after the brutal beating they took yesterday, Akane orders a dodge. Kingler does so, sliding to the left, but in a trick move, holds out his right claw, filled with the steel-type energy of Metal Claw. Kentauros takes the beating to his front legs, falling forward and skidding on the ground. Akane calls out Kingler for his brilliant move, prompting Lizardo to ask her if she recognizes the strategy from anywhere. Trying to think, Akane can’t remember. Picking himself up, Kentauros grins devilishly, unleashing Fire Blast from his mouth. Akane orders Kingler to block the blast with a wall of Bubblebeam, but Kingler fires a stream of Mud Shot right through the fire crest, slamming Kentauros in the face. Annoyed, Akane asks why Kingler’s being so reckless, but Lizardo asks what she means. Akane looks at her starting teammate, all the more confused. Kingler tries to slam Kentauros with a tidal wave of Surf, but Kentauros Horn Drills the a hole in the tidal wave, avoiding the crushing water, but finds himself taking a Metal Claw to the snout. Akane watches on in amazement, captivated by the battle as Kingler and Kentauros try to one-up each other with combo after combo. Lizardo tells Akane he gave Kingler some fighting tips earlier, but Akane says she still doesn’t understand. Lizardo asks Akane why she wanted to add Kentauros to their army in the first place, but Redwood suddenly finds herself drawing a blank. Lizardo asks Akane to describe the battle, but Akane III struggles to piece a coherent description together. Akane begs Lizardo to tell her what he knows, tears beginning to escape his eyes. Lizardo explains the sight before them simply: Kingler is simply fighting how they all have always fought. Confused by the ‘always’ part, Akane mumbles to herself about what that means. Lizardo admits he didn’t understand it at first, either, but after training with and fighting beside Akane, he “started to realize himself.” Looking Lizardo in the eye, Akane catches sight of an incredible fire. Finally, one word comes to Akane Redwood’s mind: ‘power’. Despite his use of wit, the core of Team Redwood has always been ‘power’, pushing straight through the enemy with power and guts. Lizardo tells Akane she’s “finally starting to remember” who she is, or maybe she is now “realizing herself” for the first time. Akane recognizes that before it simply came to her by instinct and imitating the style she saw her old man use in battle. As a novice trainer, she simply fought in the way her mind has accumulated the strategies she had seen before. Now, however, Akane is recognizing it for herself, that fighting her foe with his power and heart is simply how she functions. Hitokage, Onisuzume, Nidoran, Trancel, Pikachuu, Kingler, and now Kentauros…she gravitated toward their power and they her power. Gripping a fist with strength she hadn’t felt in six months, Akane shoots her fist forward; Akane orders Kingler make use of the close quarters of the combat. Holding back Kentauros by his horns, Kingler finds what was a struggle mere moments ago has grown easier and easier as he feels Akane’s spirit truly awaken for the first time. Pushing the bull back, Kingler swiftly pulls from his claws and slams a dual Crab Hammer, catching Kentauros’ head between. Grunting in pain, Kentauros pulls back with a stumble, shaking his head in pain. Akane orders a Destruction Beam, snapping Kentauros back to attention. Backing off to gain some space between him and his foe, Kentauros retaliates with his own Destruction Beam. The two clashing beams of power create enough force to destroy the ground below the point at which the beams have met. Even Akane and Lizardo have to stumble back when the shockwave of the intense power passes by them. Gripping her fist tightly, Akane tells Kingler to mow Kentauros over. Finally feeling intimidated, Kentauros’ legs lose their strength against his will. Kingler’s beam rips right through Kentauros’ beam, sending the normal-type flying backwards and skidding on the ground. Tossing a Hyper Ball, Akane ensnares Kentauros. After twenty seconds of struggling, Kentauros gives up and the Hyper Ball stops shaking. Breathing a sigh of relief, Akane picks up her new partner’s Hyper Ball and stares at it with pride. Later that night, under the wide open sky of the Safari Zone’s fields, Akane thanks Lizardo and Kingler for waking her up. Kingler laughs, saying to himself that “this is the real Akane whose strength I sensed.” Lizardo apologizes for not resolving to snap Akane out of her funk earlier, but Akane says he needed that time. Thanking Lizardo, Kingler, and Jack, Akane resolves to earn the remaining badges in time for the Kantou Prefectural League Tournament in July.
•B Part: Tuesday April 11, 1996: Preparing for her coming gym battle with Gym Leader Kyou, Akane decides to rest her mind and instead do some clothing shopping in Sekichiku City. With most of her journeying clothing now frayed and ruined beyond fashionable use, Akane sets about acquiring new clothes. Having started presenting as her true self six months ago the sixteen year old tomboy was still typically dressing in her boy clothing while running out and about. With those clothes now falling apart and her courage to experiment a little more with her style growing the girl decided to splurge on something cute. Transitioning was making it harder to maintain muscle mass and not simply plumping up with fat but Akane had found that the results of continuing her crunches and legwork had been quite worth the extra hassle. Now sporting visible abs and feeling significantly less dysphoric thanks to her slowly softening face, Akane acquires a new black crop top and shorts to show off what she has. Things like her hands and feet still bothered her immensely but the gal found that the more she presented fem the more she was able to alleviate her dysphoria. Topping off with a new Pokemon League jacket—this time with a shorter length and sleeve length—the girl picked out a new red visor hat and struck a pose in the store’s mirror. Giggling to herself over how much fun she’s having, Akane accidentally bumps into another girl while shifting her position. “Oh, whoops!” Akane profusely apologizes to the other woman but she doesn’t mind and compliments Akane on her sporty-but-cute style. With a blush, Akane bows and grabs her things to try and run off but the other young woman blocks her path and strikes up a conversation. Akane learns that the woman is planning on buying some clothes for her parent’s birthday. The girl—Anzu—asks for Akane to serve as her model since she’s close in figure to her parent. After a montage of trying on different outfits Akane suggests that they settle on the beautiful kimono she is currently modeling. Anzu agrees but can’t just pick one…so she buys all of them, much to Akane’s surprise. Later, Anzu thanks Akane for all of her help and the two girls part ways. Akane and Lizardo decide to jog their way back to the Pokemon Center.
•Ending Credits:
•Anzu returns home and greets her parent, the Gym Leader Kyou, dressed as a woman.

Episode #18: “Pink Soul”
•On Thursday, April 12 1996, Akane is in the thick of her Gym Battle with Kyou of the Pink Badge. On the sidelines the match is refereed by Anzu, the girl Akane had met yesterday. Akane remembers their mutual disbelief when Akane had first arrived at the gym twenty minutes ago but now she was immersed in Akane’s brilliantly scrappy manner of fighting. With her parent being a poison-type user Anzu knew that they would be easy prey for Raichu and his nimble-and-powerful Iron Tail technique. Kyou remarks to himself that he is impressed by the girl’s diligence and presence on the battlefield, now seeing why the girl from Masara Town was recruited for dealing with the Rockets. The Thunder Wave paralyzed Venomoth can only continue to narrowly avoid Raichu’s fierce Iron Tail strikes for so much longer. Luckily, Kyou reminds himself, the seed for Raichu’s downfall has already been laid. Unable to reach the ceiling combing Venomoth any longer Raichu halts his assault to catch his breath. Akane praises her Pokemon, urging him to keep in there…before noticing something is off. Raichu begins to notice, too, prompting a bead of sweat to trickle down his temple. Raichu’s breathing is heavier than it should be. Shooting a look to her foe, Akane recognizes that she’s been countered. As Venomoth continued to beat his wing to avoid Raichu’s Iron Tail, it was also releasing Poison Powder at a close range, despite itself also being stricken with the paralyzing effects of Thunder Wave. Giving Kyou kudos, Akane thumbs her nose and orders a Thunderbolt. Venomoth casually avoids the bolt and allows it to hit the ceiling, but falls prey to Raichu’s real attack. Crushed by debris from the ceiling he was so closely hugging, Venomoth crashes into the ground. Kyou curses his carelessness, but it’s too late for a recovery. Raichu flips forward and slams his Iron Tail on Venomoth’s back, laying the Pokemon in a crater generated by the force of the Iron Tail. Kyou returns Venomoth to his Monster Ball with a laugh, accepting the loss of round one. Unleashing Betobeton, his final Pokemon, Kyou tells Akane that she is about to face a foe like none she has yet. Akane recalls Raichu, telling him to rest up, as she unleashes Kentauros for his first gym battle.
•Opening Credits:
•Kyou asks Akane if that’s really the last Pokemon she wants to use in a two-on-two battle, but Akane reminds the ninja master that appearances aren’t everything. Akane knows that Zen Headbutt will be their greatest weapon against a poison-type like Betobeton, as it is a psychic-type technique, but getting in close enough might be a problem, because getting even just a little bit of Betobeton’s slime on his body might leave Kentauros poisoned.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Deciding to attack from a range, Akane orders up a Fire Blast, but to Kentauros’ surprise, his purple foe swiftly slides away and fires back his own long-range attack, Sludge Bomb. Avoiding the ball of poison, Kentauros charges in, firing another Fire Blast. This time, Kentauros plans to use the large dai-shaped (大) blast to conceal his true attack, Zen Headbutt. Kentauros bursts through the flame, but hits nothing. Looking from side to side to see if Betobeton had slipped away, Kentauros is horrified when he finds Betobeton has used the Minimize technique to shrink and reposition himself below the normal-type. Instantly returning to normal size, Betobeton latches onto and begins to squeeze Kentauros’ body, hoping to crush his foe’s bones. Akane curses to herself, ordering Kentauros to Body Slam the ground in an attempt to force his foe to let go, but the poison-type refuses in his steadfast, statesmanlike attempt to suffocate his foe. Suddenly getting an idea, Akane orders Kentauros to fire a Fire Blast at the ceiling. Kentauros, running low on strength and oxygen, manages to cough out one last Fire Blast. The sprinkler systems instantly react to the intense heat and turn on. Kyou laughs this off, telling Akane that even if Betobeton gets a little wet it won’t weaken his grip. Akane tells Kyou he figured this, so he only ordered the Fire Blast for a set-up. Kyou’s puzzlement soon becomes horror when Kentauros unleashes a Thunderbolt. Caught off guard and gravely injured by the powered up Thunderbolt, Betobeton leaps off his foe. Before he can regain his footing, however, Kentauros bulldozes into Betobeton with Zen Headbutt, slamming the poison-type through several walls. From rooms away, Kyou orders Betobeton to use Rock Smash. With a powerful punch, Betobeton strikes Kentauros in the same ribs he was crushing only moments ago. Kentauros, not one to take punishment so easily, unleashes another Zen Headbutt from close range. Lifting and tossing Betobeton into the wall of the gym kitchen, Kentauros unleashes a close-range Destruction Beam, firing Betobeton back through several walls into the gym battlefield once again. Cursing the inconvenience of having two series of holes in the walls of his gym, Kyou decides to end things once and for all. With Kentauros likely feeling the aftereffects of his string of high-level attacks, Kyou synchs his heart with Betobeton. Akane wipes the sweat from his head as he realizes Kentauros is on his last legs and he now has to face Betobeton using his full power. Recognizing the golden aura around Pokemon and Master, Akane remembers all of her intense battles. Now that she has realized herself, Akane knows she can enter this state with her Pokemon, too. Triggering it at will, Akane feels the passionate power flow through her. This form, Akane realizes, is the point where a trainer and her Pokemon’s spirits are both in-synch and heightened beyond a normal trainer’s level. Realizing she doesn’t see himself as a ‘normal trainer’, Akane asks herself whether or not that’s a good thing. Doubts aside, as Kentauros re-enters the room, Akane knows all that matters to both of them is fighting and winning. With both Pokemon’s strength nearly shot, the opposing forces decide to make this the final exchange. Betobeton launches a massive Sludge Bomb, mixed with golden energy. Akane tells Kentauros to bust right through it with Zen Headbutt. In a golden rush of power, Kentauros collides with the blast. After some struggle, Kentauros breaks through, slamming into Betobeton and driving him through the wall opposing the wall with two series of holes. Knocked outside the gym, Betobeton collapses into a pool of goo, unconscious. Kentauros passes out himself once being able to tell he has won. Both trainers recall their Pokemon and Kyou thanks Akane for the great challenge. Rewarding the lass with the Pink Badge, Kyou tells Akane she has the eyes of a real warrior. Laughing nervously and scratching the back of her head, Akane says she just does what her heart tells her. Kyou reminds Akane that he is thankful such a pure girl was able to be of some use during the battle in Tamamushi. Akane half-frowns, trying to not let old wounds fester, but Kyou tells Akane she has nothing to fear. Kyou apologizes for not being able to help on his own, due to having to protect Sekichiku City in case of an attack, but says he is confident that Akane was of great help to justice. Anzu, the referee of the match, Assistant Gym Leader, and daughter of Kyou tells Akane she was impressed by her battle tactics, but if she faced her father’s real Pokemon she wouldn’t stand a chance. Akane just smiles, saying she’d like to return one day to face Kyou for real. As Akane heads back to the Pokemon Center, Kyou wonders if he would have won even with his strongest Pokemon.
•B Part: On Sunday, April 15, 1996, Akane rides her Kingler across the ocean of Route 20. While the weather of southern Kantou is typically warm, Akane finds that ever since coming within sight of the Twin Islands, the weather had dropped considerably. Shivering, Akane sneezes. Cursing her luck, Akane laments that she just wanted to reach Guren Island. Without a flying-type Pokemon the sea route was the only choice. She would have taken a ferry, but the toll was more than the girl was willing to pay, and thought that riding a Pokemon there might be a good experience. Of course, Akane thought all of those things before being stricken by winter weather and several wild ocean Pokemon. Finally, Akane realizes Kingler could probably use a break, and decides to set up camp on the Twin Islands. Reaching the beach, Akane finally recognizes just how large the twin caves are. Getting ready to set up camp, Akane recognizes someone already has one set up! Checking around for the owner or owners, Akane finally peaks his head into the cave entrance. Hearing something, Akane and Lizardo take a closer look. With Raichu providing light through Flash, the merry band of three explores the cave. Team Redwood finally comes to an open corridor, stunned by the sight before them. Within the Twin Island caves lie…large bodies of water with their own smaller islands! Amazed by the sight, Raichu wonders aloud if the pools connect to the ocean, sort of like mini-grottos. Akane sends Kingler to investigate; the water-type confirming that the pools have clear underwater exists to the larger ocean. Raichu puffs out his chest in superiority, forcing Akane to laugh nervously. Moving along, Akane wonders aloud why it’s still so damn cold here. Checking her PokeGear, Akane finds that it’s in the high thirties, but getting colder by the minute. According to the built-in encyclopedia, the Twin Islands are a known gathering spot for ice-type and water-type Pokemon. This reminds Akane that she hasn’t really seen an ice-type Pokemon and with an extra slot on her team free, it might be time to add a sixth man. Scanning the directory for a list of critters known to live here, Akane doesn’t really find any that appeal to her…other than Shellder and its eventual evolution, Parshen, but even then Shellder’s a water-type and Parshen’s only an ice sub-type. Finally, Akane spots a very interesting entry. According to the directory the legendary ice-type bird Freezer is said to live here. Of course, sightings have been unconfirmed for years. Akane remembers asking her old man when she was a young kid if the legendary bird Pokemon were real. Of course, the cryptic that he was, John II was vague about the subject. Then again, Akane thought, with all of the old man’s trophies and badges, he probably was powerful enough to fight them, assuming they were ever drawn to his power. The Redwood Army continues along until they reach an even wider-open corridor, filled with a large pool of water, small patches of land sporadically laid about. While the three are all awestruck, Raichu nonetheless points out something he sees in the distance. Lizardo and Akane take a closer look, the fire-type saying he senses fire-type energy. Finally, Akane sees a streak of fire reach out to a blue glow. Team Redwood climbs down into the pool area to get a better look. Finding a better view, Akane comes across an older bald man giving orders to a Gallop. Following the trail of the fire-type’s Flamethrower, Akane sees a sight she almost can’t believe. Dancing majestically through the air is…a Freezer! Shaking her head, Akane runs over to the old man, her Pokemon following. Taking a look at the old man and then the Freezer gracefully dodging in the air, Akane nearly starts to drool. The old man, with his eyes stuck on Freezer, speaks to Redwood, telling her he’s surprised the legendary ice-type hadn’t sensed her and flown the coup. Dodging another stream of fire, Freezer speaks, replying that she sensed that another ‘strong and pure spirit’ approached, so she didn’t mind. Instantly excited by this, Akane challenges the bird Pokemon herself. The old man slaps Akane upside the head, telling her to wait her turn. Suddenly, Freezer breaks from her dodging strategy and swiftly, blindingly so, strikes Gallop with an Tsubame Gaeshi, sending the Pokemon flying. The old man curses his weakness, saying that “to be both shown superiority and kindness from an ice-type is the highest of insults.” Lizardo asks what the old man means by ‘kindness’, prompting the white-and-red suited man to point to his unconscious Gallop. Akane points out that despite the strength of the technique, a technique known for being sharp, the Gallop is not cut. The old man scoffs, saying that despite being a veteran gym leader he’s still so soft. Surprised, Akane asks if he’s Katsura of the Guren Island Gym. The old man confirms, exciting the Redwood Army troops. Katsura remembers that the transgender girl before him fits the description of one of the kids who helped out during the Battle of Tamamushi. Katsura tells Akane he still can’t believe that Little John actually has a kid now. Akane asks if she should take that as meaning he knows her dad and the fire-type master nods. Katsura confirms, saying he’ll take on her challenge when they return to Guren. Excited, Akane says she can’t wait. Speaking of waiting, Freezer gives off a cough, indicating that she is still floating in the air waiting for her next challenger. Nervously apologizing with a bow, Team Redwood readies to battle. Raichu says he wants to go first, stepping forward. Lizardo sighs and steps aside. The battle begins, Raichu unleashing Thunder Wave, but Freezer easily dodges and fires back with Gust. Sent hurling through the sky, Raichu breaks the motion with Thunderbolt, blunting the force so he can kick off one of the many boulders. Firing back with Brick Break, Raichu tries to close the gap between the two. Taking the high-ground (well, air), Freezer dodges and fires back with another Gust, sending the electric mouse flying through the ice-covered pool into the freezing cold water. Quickly pulling himself out, Raichu shivers. Raichu jumps back on the solid ground of the cave and fires off a Thunderbolt. Katsura praises Akane for teaching Raichu well. Had Raichu tried to fire off such a high-level blast of electricity like that he would’ve broken the ice he stood on. Akane grins back, saying Raichu just knows these things without her having to say it aloud. Redwood’s comment intrigues Katsura, “Could it be…Passion?”. Freezer slides away from the electric attack once more, but Raichu just grins. The Thunderbolt hits the cavern ceiling, knocking down the sharp icicle-shaped rock. Sensing the danger from behind, Freezer turns and easily knocks the rocks away with Steel Wing. Waiting for this moment, Akane shouts “Now!” With a devilish grin, Raichu unleashes a full power Thunder at the distracted Freezer. Caught by surprise, Freezer fires a mighty Ice Beam from her beak. The beam of ice tears right through Raichu’s strongest attack and thuds him clean in the noggin, freezing him solid. Akane curses her luck as Lizardo reaches into Akane’s bag for an Ice Heal. De-thawed, Raichu shivers uncontrollably. Akane returns her friend to his Monster Ball and thanks him for his diligence. Lizardo steps up to the plate, seeking payback. Freezer decides to go on the offensive this time, but Lizardo’s not ready to be beaten so easily. Nimbly evading Freezer’s Steel Wing strikes, Lizardo grabs onto the legendary bird and chews and punches on her wing with Fire Fang and Fire Punch. Sending Lizardo flying with a quick flick of her wing, Freezer is surprised to see the fire-type instantly rebound on a large iceberg, leaping right back into the fray. The passionate, golden aura of a high-class trainer envelopes Akane and Lizardo as the fire-type latches onto Freezer’s still extended wing, rushes up said wing, and fires a fiery gold Flamethrower directly on the bird’s face. To Katsura’s dismay, Freezer begins to fall into the pool, Lizardo springing off the bird Pokemon to land back on the cavern floor. Akane’s excitement soon turns to horror when she senses Freezer’s killing intent flare up. In an instant, Freezer twirls around in the air, regaining all her lost altitude and more, and fires out an Ice Beam. Snapping back to attention despite his cold sweat, a mid-air Lizardo counters with another amazing Flamethrower, but the Ice Beam has no trouble pushing through the fire. Unwilling to allow the beam to hit him, Lizardo fires back with all his might, pushing himself through the air to crash into the cavern floor as a result. The struggling elemental streams of energy continue to flare up brilliantly, but it’s becoming apparent to Akane that the force is deepening Lizardo’s crater more and more. Finally, the two beams disperse, Freezer backing off. Rushing over to the crater, Akane and Katsura find Lizardo unconscious, exhausted from the battle. Katsura can’t believe that such a small Lizardo managed to fight Freezer to a draw like that. Akane returns Lizardo to his Monster Ball to rest, saying they were going for the win to the bitter end. Collapsing himself, Katsura catches the girl and thanks Freezer for her time. Freezer nods and returns to hiding, her majestic flying captivating the gym leader.
•Ending Credits:
•Katsura receives a text from his husband asking him when he’s going to bring home the milk he said he was going out to buy. Katsura has completely forgotten.

Episode #19: “Love is the Fire in Which We Burn (Part 1)”
•On Thursday, April 19, 1996, Akane decides to enjoy some time off after having arriving at Guren Island the previous day. Team Redwood heads out to the Guren Island Water Park. Lizardo and Nidoking walk around nervously (wearing floaties!) as they try to avoid getting wet, while Raichu, Kingler and Kentauros have the time of their lives. After some swimming (and getting stuck in the large crowds on a 93-degree Fahrenheit day), game playing (and getting stuck in the large crowds on a 93-degree Fahrenheit day), and lunch (and getting stuck in the large crowds on a 93-degree Fahrenheit day), Akane spots an irregular congregation of people near the water fountain. Checking it out, Team Redwood finds a man pawning off rare Pokemon. Taking a closer look, Akane finds one of the Pokemon intriguing: a Kabuto.
•Opening Credits:
•The man claims each are revived Pokemon, ancient and thought to be extinct. Akane asks where he got the Pokemon, but the man tries to deflect the question. Jack (appearing beside Akane in a silent and creepy fashion) asks why he stole them from the Pokemon Lab. Not expecting the question, the man carelessly lets loose that he wanted to sell them off. Gulping, the man tries to return them to their Monster Balls, but Junko’s Utsubot uses Vine Whip to tie the man’s hands together. The salesman struggles to escape, but is surrounded by an angry crowd. A professor catches up with Junko, thanking her for helping to capture the thief. Akane and Jack appear a little miffed that their part was left out, but nobody really notices. The three prehistoric Pokemon all tackle the professor, happy to see him again.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Back at the lab, the professor thanks the three for helping to save the Pokemon, even though they didn’t really seem to understand they had been stolen. The professor notices that Akane is diligently staring at Kabuto and asks if she wants the Pokemon. Akane asks if she can have him, excited. Junko asks the professor if such rare Pokemon should be allowed to be owned, but the professor says that any life worth living for them is the one they choose. Kabuto attacks Akane, swiping at her. Akane leaps behind the couch to dodge. Surrounding itself in water, Kabuto dashes at Akane, but the girl avoids it again. Junko reaches for a Monster Ball to help, but Jack pushes her hand down. Confused, Junko asks why she can’t interfere, but Jack telling her to watch. Kabuto launches with Aqua Jet one more time, but this time Akane catches him before he can gain any momentum. Caught at last, Kabuto nods at Akane. The professor explains that Kabuto was simply testing Akane. Being warriors at the heart, Jack explains, those two gravitate towards each other. With a smirk, Jack says he’s glad Akane’s finally awoken, meaning the time for their rematch is coming soon, but Junko is still confused. Suddenly, Ptera leaps at Junko, expressing his wish to join up with her. Jack shoots Omanite a look, both recognizing that they’re stuck with each other. On Five Island, Lambda lights a cigarette as he swings his pack over his shoulder. Wishing Athena luck watching over the Five Island base, Lambda says to himself that he better enjoy this last cigarette for the foreseeable future. Athena tells him not to screw up his assignment so she won’t be wasting her time on such a backwater island. Lance enters the kitchen, heading straight to the fridge. Opening a soda, Lance asks where Apollo is hiding out. Athena reminds her fellow executive, rudely, that Apollo was assigned with setting up the Jouto base. His memory jogged, Lance sits at one of the small booths and says he’d rather be helping out in Jouto than sharing administrative duties with Athena. Before Athena can spit poison back, a grunt enters the kitchen, informing her that the boss is on hold for the three of them. Entering the executive’s office, Athena activates the view screen. A shadowy figure as always, Boss Sakaki informs the three that the League is on to their operations on the Sevii Islands and that they should suspend operations for a while, especially with the big operation coming up. Athena agrees, but Lance groans that now things will be even more boring. Sakaki informs them that if the base is compromised they are to head to the mainland headquarters immediately. Meanwhile, the Masara Town Three return to their day at the water park. Shenanigans ensue, but Akane stops to take a look at the volcano-based Guren Gym.
•B Part: On Saturday, April 20, 1996, Akane steps up to face the fire gym leader, Katsura. Katsura waves the preliminary battle with the assistant gym leader, knowing Akane is more than ready. High atop the volcano lays a special gym field, reserved only for the most interesting of challengers. Katsura’s assistant interjects, saying that the League forced him to stop using the field years ago because it was too dangerous. Telling his assistant to bark up some other tree, Katsura unveils his first Pokemon, Gallop! The assistant turns and twists in his spot as if he’s part of a comedy duo, crying about how “that’s no way to talk to your husband!” Akane recognizes the Pokemon as the one Katsura fought Freezer with and selects her Pokemon. Deciding to gamble, Akane unleashes Kabuto for his first gym battle! Surprised the girl has such a rare Pokemon, Katsura tells her she had better not chicken out with such precious merchandise on the table. With a laugh, Akane points forward and orders Aqua Jet. Kabuto leaps forward, covered in a stream of water, and flies towards Gallop like a missile. The fire-type, however, is much too fast to be so easily targeted, and avoids the water-type with ease. Kabuto continues his attack, kicking off the ground to strike with Aqua Jet again; however, Gallop still easily avoids the attack. Akane decides to break the attack off and switch strategies, but that’s when Gallop goes in for the kill. With incredibly high speed, Gallop charges in, hitting Kabuto with a Megahorn…or so she thinks! With impressive skill, Kabuto splits into multiple images of itself. Katsura praises the girl, setting up Double Team as a defense. Leaping onto Gallop’s back, Kabuto begins screeching a nasty screech into Gallop’s ears, simultaneously digging into the Pokemon with Scratch attack. Katsura recognizes that this is Metal Sound and orders Gallop to abandon her cargo. Gallop violently turns and twists, finally knocking Kabuto off. With his foe still off guard from Metal Sound, Kabuto leaps forward with another Aqua Jet. Finally hitting his foe in the lungs, Kabuto turns around for a second strike before being met with a powerful Solar Beam. Kabuto is carried by the blast all the way into the volcano’s wall. Stuck, Kabuto is unable to break free before passing out. Returning her Pokemon to his Monster Ball, Akane looks up wondering when Gallop had unleashed Sunny Day. Selecting her second Pokemon, Akane summons forth Kingler. Gallop leaves no time for pleasantries as she leaps forward with blinding speed to ram her Megahorn into Kingler. A quick-claw, Kingler swiftly catches the horn in his pincers before the attack could be dealt. With a mighty blow, Kingler crushes the horse’s left front leg with Crab Hammer. Crying in pain, Gallop jerks free from Kingler’s claw and limps backward before receiving a face full of Mud Shot. Blinded and in pain, Gallop stumbles around. Katsura orders Gallop to calm itself and seconds later the Pokemon does so. Impressed, Akane orders Kingler to finish things up with Surf. Summoning forth a massive tidal wave of water, Kingler slams the attack down on Gallop, but Katsura is not so easily beaten. With a burst of fire, Gallop unleashes a volley of Fire Blasts, extinguishing the tidal wave, to Kingler and Akane’s dismay. Finally, with her stamina just about gone, Gallop unleashes a final Solar Beam. Snapping back to attention, Akane orders a Destruction Beam. The two blasts collide, but Kingler’s beam slams right on through Gallop’s, knocking the Pokemon over. Realizing she’s reached her end, Katsura returns Gallop to her Monster Ball. Praising Akane for his steadfastness, Katsura unveils his Arcanine. Akane says she wants to face Katsura’s real Pokemon, but Katsura says he saves them for actual wars. Suddenly, a giant figure leaps from the lava below and lands on the battlefield, covered in lava. Colored a fiery red and yellow, the Pokemon stands tall and truly fearsome.
•Ending Credits:
•Lava drips off of the newly arrived Booburn. Only the dripping of the molten rock can be heard atop the fiery mountain.

Episode #20: “Love is the Fire in Which We Burn (Part 2)”
•Katsura lets loose an “Oho,” asking the newly arrived Booburn if he wants to fight. Scanning the Pokemon with her Pokemon Zuukan, Akane learns that she’s seeing a Booburn, an evolved Boober. Katsura explains that this Booburn was his first Pokemon, one he received as a Pokemon Egg when he first became a trainer. Kingler looks at Akane, both realizing that this foe is incredibly powerful, probably greater than any foe they’ve yet faced. Windie barks at Booburn, reminding him that this battle belongs to him. Katsura agrees out of wanting to be fair to the boy. Akane breathes a sigh of relief, knowing they wouldn’t have been able to win if they had faced Booburn. Booburn turns and waves as to placate Windie, ready to leap back into the lava. Katsura tells Booburn to stay and watch instead. Sitting down next to his master, Booburn yawns. Annoyed by this display of arrogance, Akane nods to Kingler. The battle begins anew, Kingler going on the offensive. Firing a stream of Bubblebeam, Kingler leaps into the cloud of bubbles, ready to strike with Crab Hammer, but Windie dispels the cloud and sends Kingler flying back with a simple Roar. Intimidated, Akane starts to notice just how hot it is fighting an intense battle atop a volcano. Kingler fires Mud Shot, but Windie leaps into the air and slams into Kingler with Flame Wheel. The field begins to show signs of damage, but Kingler pay it no mind and uses Surf. Windie pays the water no mind, leaping high above its reach and firing off a Solar Beam. Kingler counters with Destruction Beam, hoping to smash through the Solar Beam and hit Windie good, but Windie disappears before Kingler’s beam can collide with his own. Looking around for his foe, and now momentarily drained from the Destruction Beam, Kingler curses his luck. Suddenly, Windie reappears and slams into Kingler, sending him flying into the volcano’s wall. Akane curses, recognizing that Windie is using Extreme Speed, the fastest technique.
•Opening Credits:
•Using Mud Shot, Kingler propels himself back onto the battlefield, avoiding falling into the lava pit. With a sigh of relief, Kingler readies himself to face Windie again. Akane nods to Kingler, conveying her plan without words. Knowing that he only has one shot to make this work, Kingler begins to focus all of his body’s energy.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Moments pass, then minutes, with neither Kingler nor Windie making a move. Finally, Windie decides to make a move, firing another ball of golden light into the sky to replenish the Sunny Day powering up his fire-type techniques and Solar Beam, while weakening water and ice-types. As the ball of energy flashes, in the briefest of moments, Kingler strikes. Slamming his right claw onto the ground, Kingler sends a ripped of energy towards Windie. The ripped stops below Windie, but nothing happens. With a shit-eating grin, the fire-type prepares to attack, but suddenly, a stream of water pierces Windie from below. Sent flying into the air, Windie gasps for air, his lungs shot from the surprise geyser to the gut. Aiming carefully, Kingler fires Destruction Beam. Struggling to regain his composure, Windie manages to just barely split into a second Windie, but it’s no use, Kingler hits the correct one. Now flying even higher than before, Windie uses the chance to regain his air. Descending quicker and quicker, Windie uses the chance to Flame Wheel right into Kingler like a fiery meteor. Kingler, weary from using so many Destruction Beams, focuses his remaining energy. Akane whispers “wait for it” to himself as the falling ball of fire gains more and more speed. Finally, it happens. Windie crashes into Kingler…or so Katsura would have hoped. In the instant Windie drew near Kingler, the water-type triggered Protect the strongest of barrier techniques. Protected from the damage and force of his foe’s attack, Kingler dispels the barrier as the recoil sends Windie back. In mid-air, Windie almost never sees it coming, a full powered, final Crab Hammer to his left side. Feeling his ribs crack, Windie stops struggling and allows the crab to launch him right off the battlefield. Booburn swiftly catches Windie, his teammate and the Pokemon most determined to surpass him, already unconscious. Katsura awards Akane the Crimson Badge, telling her she put up a brilliant show. Akane thanks the old man and quickly takes his Pokemon to the Pokemon Center. While waiting for her two water-types to heal, Akane is greeted by Junko and Jack in the lobby. Junko mentions that now they all have six badges, prompting Akane to remember that they weren’t the only ones who left Masara last summer. Jack mentions that his old man told him most of the others returned to Masara Town after the first few months, unable to handle the trainer’s life. This leaves Akane feeling a little unsure about how she feels about taking such a path. Suddenly, Sonezaki Masaki appears beside Akane, saying it is quite tragic to see such young flames die. Leaping off the couch in surprise, Akane asks herself why she’s always the victim of such gags. Junko and Jack tell Sonezaki it’s nice to see him again, Akane asking when they had met. Masaki tells Akane he met them before he met her, leaving Akane to question why he never told her this when they first met. Masaki tells the girl it didn’t really fit the mood at the time. “Besides,” Masaki adds, “You didn’t tell me that you were transgender! I feel so bad for deadnaming you and misgendering you!” Akane blushes and straightens her crop top in response, “Well I, like, didn’t…really accept it when we first met…” Junko asks if Akane ever evolved her Eevee, but Akane doesn’t know what the heck she means. Jack and Junko bring out their Thunders and Booster, prompting Akane to grab the inventor by the collar and berate him for giving her rivals Pokemon. Sonezaki says he would have given Akane one, but she didn’t really look like the type to train an Eevee. Akane agrees studiously, saying they just don’t fit her image. Junko accuses Akane of using a gag-face now, but Akane says that’s only because it fits the moment. Masaki interjects, asking the three if they want to go with him to the Sevii Islands for a little trip. Masaki explains that a friend of his needs help setting up the Pokemon Transfer Network. Junko asks if that means communication with the mainland is limited, the inventor confirming so. Akane says she still needs to get the Gold and Green Badges, Jack agreeing. Masaki assures them that they’ll only be gone for about a week, at the most, with plenty of time to get their last badges before the Kantou Prefectural Tournament in July. Putting their heads together, the three Masara Town rookies talk it over. On one hand, there’s probably some rare Pokemon to be found on the Sevii Islands, on the other…it might mean being completely cut off from decent technology, getting stranded, and living out the rest of their days in a backwater colony. Deciding to take the chance in hopes of finding cool, rare, and powerful Pokemon, the three agree to join Masaki on his journey.
•B Part: On Tuesday, April 23, 1996, Junko stares into the ceiling of the Pokemon Transfer Network room, bored out of her mind. The Masara Town Triumvirate had arrived late last night and had dinner, so there wasn’t much time to be bored, but now that she had finished the morning training with her Pokemon, there wasn’t much else to do. The godforsaken island didn’t have a cable network set up yet and all of the videos on hand were nature programs. Remembering being impressed by the mural in the Pokemon Center’s lobby, Junko asks Nishiki what it was about. Turning in his chair, Nishiki says it was made by a famous painter several years ago when he claimed to have seen a Fire at Mount Ember. Confirming that Nishiki means the Mount Ember on One Island, Junko stands up and says she’s going to go look for Fire. Bored out of their minds, Akane and Jack discard their magazines and say they want to see it, too! Junko says that if they do find it, she has dibs on fighting and capturing it. Jack and Akane reveal that they’ve each seen and fought one of Kantou’s legendary birds, to the surprise of everyone else in the room. Junko resolves to capture Fire so as to show up her rivals. Riding up river, Akane sighs. Junko has a Kamex and Jack a Parshen. Jack even reveals his Fushigigou has evolved into a Fushigibana. Akane (and Lizardo in his Monster Ball), resolve to get stronger than them soon! Finally reaching the northern coast, the Masara Town Three hike up to the base of the mountain where they soon encounter wild Magmag. The Magmag appear to be running away from something, Junko suggesting that it’s just a predator before continuing along. Finally reaching the top, Akane groans at having reached another volcano’s top. Peering down into the volcano, Junko wonders aloud if Fire might be sleeping in the lava pit. Junko tells Akane to send Lizardo down in there, but Akane calls her crazy if she thinks Lizardo can handle that sort of heat. Jack suggests that his Ninetales might be able to use Safeguard and explore.  Jack asks if Junko has any fire-types, Junko holding up a Monster Ball containing a Windie. Mumbling something about déjà vu, Akane suggests they just call out Fire now, but Junko admonishes her for such a wild idea. Suddenly, out of the molten lava and soot-filled steam, a fiery red and yellow bird Pokemon of large proportions appear. Pointing at the bird, Akane says she was right after all. Flapping his wings gracefully, Fire calls out to those before him. Nervously unleashing Kamex, Junko challenges Fire to a battle. Sensing the aura of Freezer and Thunder on the other two kids, Fire returns his gaze to Junko, staring deep into her eyes. Feeling as if her very soul is being disturbed, Junko begins to buckle under the pressure.
•Ending Credits:
•Within his Monster Ball, Fushigibana stares at the wild Fire with fear. “…I’ll just pretend to be asleep…”

Episode #21: “Kamex VS Fire”
•Fire stares down its would be challengers. Finally, Kamex fires off Hydro Pump to make the first move. Kamex’s torrents of water extinguish against Fire’ fiery aura. The water-type follows up with Rapid Spin. Snapping back to attention, Junko tells Kamex to mix in Hydro Pump for double the effect, but Fire counters with Fire Spin. Jack can tell this fight isn’t going to end well, at all. Concerned, Akane yells to Junko to not give up. Trapped in a tornado of fire, Kamex blows the prison away with another round of Rapid Spin. Firing from his cannons again, Kamex unleashes another wave of Hydro Pump. Fire evades the twin streams this time, firing back with a powerful Air Slash. Kamex barely avoids the Air Slash in time, taking a cut above his left eye. With blood blurring his vision, Kamex unleashes another Hydro Pump. Jack tells Junko she needs to keep Hydro Pump in reserve, Junko firing back that she knows that. With the heat in the air, Hydro Pump’s power is greatly weakened. What’s more, using the technique is extremely taxing. With time running out, Junko decides to go for the kill. Nodding to his mistress, Kamex dashes into the fray with Rapid Spin. Fire readies to fire back, but the spinning tortoise pulls upward quickly, breaks in mid-air, and leaps onto the fire-type’s back. Akane cheers the water-type on as it applies a powerful grip on Fire’ neck with Crunch. Shaking violently, Fire begins a dive into the lava pit. Akane and Jack hold their breath as the two Pokemon reach ever closer to the lava pit. Finally, with only seconds to spare, Kamex leaps off Fire’ back, firing a full power, Passion-filled Hydro Pump. Fire takes the twin streams to the back, sending it crashing into the lava quicker while his foe is sent propelling back into the air. Using Rapid Spin, Kamex manages to maneuver himself back onto the top ledge of the volcano as his foe plummets into the lava pit. Junko wipes sweat from her brow, praying that in his condition Fire would only be further damaged by the lava. Moments later, the bird Pokemon bursts out from the lava pit. The bird allows the lava to drip off of his body back into the pool below. Fire fires a surprise Solar Beam. As the three trainers hit the deck, Kamex uses Protect to take the beam head-on. After the blast ends, Kamex falls to his knees, his power drained. Fire commends Kamex for using his remaining strength to protect not only his mistress, but the other two. Feeling his consciousness slipping, Kamex holds his stern look as long as possible before passing out. Junko silently retrieves her starter, the weight of the moment not lost on Redwood and Orchid. With a screech, Fire calls out to Junko. Looking into the fire-type’s eyes, Junko’s spirits are lifted ever so slightly as the legendary bird flies off.
•Opening Credits:
•Meanwhile within the tunnels of Mount Ember, Lance tells his men to continue excavating. Finally, a man falls through a weakened tunnel wall into a sealed chamber. Lance follows his subordinate into the chamber. In the middle of the room lies a magnificent ruby atop a pedestal. Taking the ruby, Lance laughs in victory. Lance orders his men to seal the chamber as he returns to the base.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Exiting from the port (Wednesday, April 24, 1996), Akane and company make their way to Two Island’s new casino. Akane hopes that Nishiki wasn’t pulling their legs about the rumored old lady who can teach their Pokemon new ‘ultimate techniques’ just so they would deliver a Meteorite to his friend. Exploring the town a little bit, Akane and the others find that the markets are rather primitive, made up of street vendors and simple shacks. Akane asks when this settlement was made, Junko reminding him that it’s at least twenty years old from what she remembered from school. Akane figures aloud that this just must be their style and starts doing a little browsing. Picking up a few items from a vendor, Akane tosses an apple to Lizardo (when did he come out of his Monster Ball?!) and overhears some bikers trash-talking an old lady from up north. From what Akane manages to overhear, it appears there’s an old hag up north of the lake that can “teach a trainer’s Pokemon the ultimate elemental techniques.” Intrigued, Akane pushes for more. The biker punks say the lady must be full of it if they couldn’t teach their Pokemon these techniques. Jack re-appears, interjecting that the elderly should be treated with more respect, as Junko suggests that maybe they’re just awful trainers. The punks grab their Balls (oh my, the puns) and threaten the girl. Lizardo barks, telling the punks he’ll hang them out to dry any day of the week. A man in a cheap suit breaks the fight up, asking that nobody cause any trouble. The suited man explains that his missing daughter was last seen by these men on Three Island and he’s desperate to find her. The lead biker of the group tells the man that if he paid them one hundred thousand yen they’d go grab the kid. The man says that he would probably have to sell off his entire stone collection, but acquiesces. Akane, not trusting the punks, says she’ll do it for free. Hearing the comment about ‘stone collection’, Jack tosses the suited man the Meteorite Nishiki entrusted to them, telling him “Nishiki says ‘hi’.” The punks tell the Masara Town Three to butt out of their affairs, but Jack shows the lead biker the eye of an experienced warrior. Intimidated, but wanting to keep his dignity, the biker says the suited man probably can’t even afford their fee and heads off with his boys. Back at the Joyful Casino, the suited man asks if they’re really willing to go through all of the trouble of finding his daughter, Mayo. Placing the Meteorite in a case with his other precious stones, the man turns to the teens for their answers. Akane says she doesn’t mind either, but Junko says she’s a bit more interested in these ‘ultimate techniques’. Jack says it’ll be a while before the S.S. Sea Gallop will be ready for the trip to Three Island as it is, so they have time to check the old lady out. Akane asks why Mayo would be on Three Island all by herself leading Mayo’s father (God, I wish this guy had an actual name) to explain that her mom passed away this time of year a few years back. Mayo’s father explains that Three Island’s Berry Forest was a place the two frequented to pick berries, so usually he’ll go in place of his wife, but with his casino just opening he didn’t have the time to take Mayo. Blaming himself for placing his casino first, Mayo’s father says that it is no wonder she ran off on her own. Akane tells the man to not worry; they’ll bring her home safely. Bidding Mayo’s father farewell, Akane says they’ll bring her home quickly.
•B Part: After hiking north, the Masara Three come to a majestic lake, crowned by a roaring waterfall. By the power of binoculars, Jack confirms that there is a cottage atop the waterfall. Riding their water-types atop the waterfall, the three peek around the rather lush ‘front yard’ that the cottage has. Finally, Akane knocks on the front door. After a few moments an elderly lady answers, sees the three youngsters, and tells them ‘no’, before slamming the door on them. An irate Junko pounds on the door while shouting to the old lady to “Get your ass out here and apologize to us!” The elderly opens the door, looks at the girl and her short skirt, and tells her to stop dressing like a slut. Jack sighs, pulls out a Monster Ball, and unleashes his Fushigibana. Akane asks what her rival is thinking, before leaping out of the way of several vines. Pushing and pulling, the vines finally rip the door off its hinges. The old lady rushes back to her door, looks at the group, and shakes her head…in approval. Ushering them in, Junko exasperates at how she can’t believe that got her attention. Akane wonders if she shouldn’t have Lizardo burn down her house next time. The old lady prepares the three some tea, sitting them down at a table. Apologizing for her behavior, Kiwame tells the kids that she wasn’t in the mood after having to deal with those biker punks from earlier. Akane adds that she knows how she feels. Sitting down herself, Kiwame explains that her secret techniques can only be learned by a few specific Pokemon races and even then only those with unyielding spirit, skill, and trainers can ever hope to master them. Akane asks what sort of techniques they’re talking about, Kiwame explaining that she can teach the three ultimate elemental techniques: Frenzy Plant, Blast Burn and Hydro Cannon. Looking at their Monster Balls, the gang figures these are techniques for their starters, Kiwame telling them their suspicions are correct. Of the few Pokemon in the world capable of learning these techniques, they each hold one. Akane unleashes Lizardo, asking that they be allowed to learn the techniques now. Kiwame shakes her head, however, explaining that Lizardo is too weak as-is to master the Blast Burn technique. Frozen by this, Akane desperately tries to clear the knot in her throat. Jack holds his tongue at this news, even Junko shows concern. Kiwame explains that once Lizardo has evolved into a Lizardon, he’ll be able to handle the training for the technique as well as mastering it. Lizardo grips his fists tightly, feeling like a failure. Seeing the two in great discomfort, Kiwame says that they’re two thirds of the way there, at least, both Master and Pokemon having unyielding spirit. Akane finally fires back a reply, asking if they can undergo the training nonetheless. Lizardo concurs, seeking the chance to prove himself. Kiwame shakes her head, explaining that handling such intense energy manipulating exercises might kill him. Lizardo pushes forward, nonetheless, saying he will succeed. Seeing something familiar in Akane and Lizardo, Kiwame relents.
•Ending Credits:
•A mysterious figure watches a lone girl pick berries.

Episode #22: “Porygon2 (Part 1)”
•On Thursday, April 25 1996, Akane and friends hike through the Berry Forest of Three Island. After departing from Kiwame with some lessons learned and to be perfected, the Masara Town Three seek to return Mayo to her father on Two Island. After clearing town and learning that Mayo hadn’t been seen since she took off for the Berry Forest, Redwood and friends mowed down some trouble-making biker punks and headed for the forest in the northwest corner of the island. Now, within the nicely shaded by eerily quiet Berry Forest, Akane hopes to find Mayo quickly and return to his training with the old lady. Meanwhile, a small girl is chased through the forest by a large, golden-colored creature.
•Opening Credits:
•Scared, the girl tries desperately to lose the Pokemon’s trail, but is constantly found once she stops to hide. Crossing a creek, the girl hopes it will lose her tracks. After re-entering the cover of trees, the girl trips, a vine having caught on her leg. Try as she might, the young girl cannot break free. Finally, the girl catches sight of the Pokemon standing over her. Screaming bloody murder, the girl continues to try and break free. Reaching down to grab the girl, the Pokemon is suddenly sent flying. A blast of fire cuts the vine holding the girl down, allowing her to run to her saviors’ sides. The girl thanks the three teens, introducing herself as Mayo! Akane tells her that her old man sent them to find her and that they’re taking her home. Mayo is overjoyed, but says that the Pokemon that’s been chasing her is really strong. Junko tells the girl not to worry as she orders her Sawamular to take Sleeper out with a Hi Jump Kick. Sawamular, having knocked the Sleeper away from Mayo moments ago, leaps into the air, ready to fire right in to the psychic-type with another crushing kick. Knowing he’s in a tight spot, Sleeper fires back with Disable. Experiencing a slight shock, Sawamular drops to the ground, unable to hit his foe. Junko tells him to keep fighting, but before Sawamular can regain his footing he takes a powerful wave of psychic energy, sending him flying into a tree. Sawamular struggles to his feet before passing out, his guard completely broken.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Junko returns Sawamular to his Monster Ball and reaches for another, but Akane says it is their turn. Lizardo, having freed Mayo earlier, leaps at Sleeper for a Fire Punch. More agile than he appears, Sleeper slides to the side, avoiding the Fire Punch. Using the small gap between himself and his foe to his advantage, Sleeper coughs up Poison Gas. Lizardo quickly holds his breath, but in an attack of insurance, Sleeper uses Pound on his foe’s chest before he can mount a counterattack. Gasping for air, Lizardo inhales the Poison Gas. Hacking and coughing, Lizardo tries to summon his strength for a Flamethrower at close-range, but Sleeper quickly sends the fire-type flying back into a tree with Psychic. Akane rushes to Lizardo’s side to make sure he’s okay. As Sleeper snickers to himself, Jack grins. Feeling a slight tremor, Sleeper is horrified when a Saidon bursts out of the ground below him, sending him flying. Sleeper tries to make a mid-air recovery, however Saidon’s quick firing of a Destruction Beam catches the psychic-type off guard. Blasted in the face and flying higher than before, Sleeper screams in agony as he crashes into the forest floor, surrounded by the tree branches and leaves he had shot and fell through. Akane applies an Antidote and Super Potion to Lizardo as she watches Jack reach for an empty Monster Ball; however, a figure clad in black exits the forest. Shaking his head, the figure says he shouldn’t bother trying to capture another trainer’s Pokemon. Jack curses, the figure unveiling himself as a Rocket grunt. Akane asks the grunt what the hell he’s doing on Three Island but receives a laugh in reply. Jack theorizes aloud that the Rockets probably have auxiliary bases on the Sevii Islands because they’re not as closely watched by the government and League as the mainland is. Annoyed by the laughing, Junko tells the grunt that he shouldn’t be laughing so hard if the League had “beaten their asses all the way out to backwater bases.” With his laughter finally dying down, the grunt tells Junko that that is funny, too. Akane asks what he means by that, asking if the grunt is implying that they still have bases on the mainland. With a sneer, the grunt tells the kids that they should try looking harder. Fed up with the punk, Jack nods to Saidon. Akane asks what Jack is thinking, Jack holding back a reply. Amused by the aggressiveness from the Orchid boy, the grunt quickly snaps his wrist, unleashing a smoke bomb. With the air filled with smoke, the four kids cough in their confusion. The grunt tells them that if they want to get revenge for the battle in Tamamushi they should come to their Five Island base, southeast of the settlement. The smoke clears, the four kids find themselves unharmed. With emotions running high after the encounter, Akane manages to say that they should get Mayo home. Elsewhere, the grunt returns to the Rocket Gang hideout on Five Island. When asked by Lance where he was, the grunt says that he was just out looking for prey, licking his lips. Even Lance must shudder, realizing that the man was out looking specifically for a child. Returning to his begrudging paper duties, Lance thinks to himself that even the Rockets attract the kind that can make them feel disgust.
•B Part: On Saturday, April 27 1996, Akane, Jack, and Junko hike southeast of the Five Island settlement. After returning Mayo to her father, the three rookies agreed to check out Five Island. With contact to the mainland limited, the three knew that the Rockets might be able to escape before Inspector Suzu’oki could arrive as backup. While Junko initially showed some resistance to the idea, Jack managed to convince her that it was the best course of action toward making sure another Tamamushi City didn’t happen. As the three near the warehouse, Akane reminds Jack that they’re likely entering a trap. Confident, Jack says he has a plan to get the drop on the Rockets. Brushing some leaves aside, Jack reveals that they’ve arrived. Turning to his cohorts, Jack takes a stick and begins scribbling out a plan in the dirt. Recognizing what Jack’s plan is, Akane begins to feel her blood boil in anticipation. Meanwhile, Athena and Lance board a submarine, leaving command of the Five Island Warehouse to Doctor Sumio. Sumio, as head of the cyber warfare department, is now charged with defending the warehouse from the three trainers they were informed were making their way to the warehouse. If Sumio succeeded then the warehouse would be his to do with as he pleased and his research would continue to receive funding. Confident in his research, Sumio sees his superiors off with a devilish grin. Meanwhile, some Rocket grunts are playing cards in the lounge. Complaining about the boring assignments they’ve been getting, the Rockets express desire for a little excitement. Suddenly, an explosion from the wall on the opposite side of the room sends the grunts and their table toppling over. Kingler, Dokukurage and Dodorio have just blasted their way through the base. Grabbing for their Monster Balls, the grunts are quickly tackled by Raichu, Thunders, and Booster. Paralyzing the grunts with Thunder Wave, Raichu and the others run off into the base. Kingler and Dokukurage begin to flood the halls of the base. Across the base, Rockets try to react to the sudden invasion. Pokemon begin battling or chasing after one another. Jack slips into an office with a computer and begins copying as much data as he can. Finding the location of the primary lab on schematics, Jack finishes up, having Thunders and Raichu pour massive amounts of energy into the electrical outlets. Eventually, the circuits throughout the base are overwhelmed and burst. With the power off, the Rockets are in the dark. Elsewhere, Doctor Sumio enters his final programming on his computer. A Rocket grunt bursts into his still well-lit lab (thanks to separately installed generators), informing the doctor that the base is under attack. Entertained by the notion, Sumio tells the grunt to lead the intruders to his lab. Pushing their way through the warehouse with relative ease, Junko begins to feel as if their bust is going a little too smoothly. Akane agrees as Kabuto streams through another squad of Zubats and Koratta. Jack arrives on the scene, saying he has the information they need. Making their way to the main laboratory, the Masara Town Three confront the lone scientist. Akane boldly proclaims that they’re making a ‘citizen’s arrest’—Junko muttering about “what century” her fellow girl is from—but the scientist is rather unperturbed. Doctor Sumio types in a final order on his computer and presses ‘execute’. The room shudders nauseatingly and from a platform surrounded by glowing pylons is born for a second time…Porygon. In a flash of light, Porygon unleashes a terrifying Zap Cannon.
•Ending Credits:
•

Episode #23: “Porygon2 (Part 2)”
•Kingler and Kamex generate a field using Protect that forces the ball of light to skid around the shield and tear through the warehouse’s walls. With a clear exit in sight, Sumio leaps upon his massive masterpiece and rides it into the thicket.
•Opening Credits:
•Regaining their footing, the Masara Town Three unleash their Pokemon: Akane’s Lizardo, Nidoking, and Kentauros, Jack’s Fushigibana, Saidon, and Kyuukon, and Junko’s Kamex, Nidoqueen, and Windie. Together the nine Pokemon unleash their most trusted attacks upon Porygon. Unable to use Conversion against simultaneous attacks, Porygon takes a beating. Nevertheless, Sumio laughs at the kids’ attempt at dethroning him. Porygon unleashes a Tri-Attack in counter, but Kingler leaps into the air and nullifies the tri-elemental attack with Protect as his comrade’s counter. Porygon nullifies with Psybeam, absorbing the simultaneous attacks and knocking its foes back. To Junko’s disgruntlement, this Porygon is stronger than the last. What’s more, it seems to be without the same weak-spot of its predecessor.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Akane scoffs and says they’ll have to hit it with the ultimate elemental attacks. Junko plays the voice of reason, calling the move too dangerous with so little training, but Jack agrees with Akane and tells Fushigibana to prepare. With a huff, Junko does likewise with Kamex and Akane Lizardo. Meanwhile, Sumio enjoys the sight of the island below. With Porygon on his side he will have no trouble executing his revenge against the science community that shunned him. Nor will he fail to acquire more funding for his research. Thrusting his view and arms into the ever-expanding clear blue sky, Sumio declares himself the Master of Computer Pokemon™. As the warm breeze of the southern islands grows somewhat warmer, Sumio looks down to find three torrents of red, green, and blue energy zooming his way. Unperturbed, Sumio simply whispers “Upgrade.” Lizardo and company’s blasts of high-intensity energy soar through the sky, tearing through the air and slamming right into Porygon. With their foe enveloped in a massive explosion, the Masara Town Three breathe a sigh of relief. Lizardo drops to his knees, exhausted from the Blast Burn. Something doesn’t feel quite right, though. Returning his gaze to the sky, Lizardo is horrified to fine a pink and teal figure break from the cloud of smoke. Protected by a sturdy-looking barrier, a newly transformed Porygon has survived to battle more. Sumio introduces his foes to Porygon2, the software upgrade of Porygon that he programmed during the past six months. Befuddled and drained, Akane and the others begin to wrack their heads about how they’re going to defeat Porygon2 now. Lizardo, Fushigibana, and Kamex agree that they need to use their ultimate attacks one more time, but they’ve only got one shot them in each of them. If Porygon2 uses his Protect technique to shield himself then it’s all over. With their generals in agreement, the three starters begin gathering their remaining strength while their comrades distract Porygon2. Saidon fires a barrage of boulders with Rock Blast, leaving Sumio unimpressed. Porygon2 descends a little to fire off a closer-range Tri-Attack in protest, but Jack’s Pigeot swoops in and begins to obscure Sumio and Porygon2’s vision. Distracted from the true purpose of Saidon and Pigeot’s combination, Sumio is horrified when he catches sight of Raichu, Kyuukon, Windie, Sawamular, Thunders and Booster leaping from in-coming boulders. Sumio quickly orders Porygon2 to use Protect, blocking the in-coming boulders, Thunderbolts, Fire Blasts, and Hi-Jump Kicks. With his fellows repelled in mid-air, Saidon launches a new set of boulders into the sky for them to bounce off of for a second wave of attacks. Sumio, still fighting off Pigeot, orders another Protect, but Windie slams into Porygon2 with Extreme Speed, knocking the computer Pokemon off balance. With an opening, the air-borne squadron launches their second wave of attacks, successfully throwing Porygon2 into a crashing motion. With his balance slipping as his giant carrier Pokemon begins to crash into the jungle below, Sumio quickly orders the use of Recover just as his foes enter a downward motion of their own. Using the momentum of their fall to their advantage, Windie, Kyuukon, Booster, Thunders, Raichu, and Sawamular slam a third wave of attacks into Porygon2’s exposed right side, sending the pink-and-teal Pokemon slamming right into the jungle below. Landing on the ground, Windie’s squadron joins Saidon, Nidoking, Nidoqueen, Kingler, Kentauros, Omstar, Kabuto, and Ptera in a fourth wave of attacks on the half-entrenched Porygon2. Sumio, having leapt into trees to break his fall, orders Porygon2 to use Magnet Rise to lift himself out of the ground and follow up with Recover. Porygon2 does so, unleashing such a large amount of energy that his foe’s attacks cannot even reach it. Hovering above the ground once again, Porygon2 begins to use Recover, slowly healing the damage it has taken. The Masara Triumvirate is at a loss for words.
•B Part: Swearing their luck, Akane asks Lizardo how much longer they need. Almost there, Lizardo tells Akane to make sure the ‘duck bastard’ can’t defend. Windie, taking the lead, tells his comrades to push on a little longer. With their attacks growing weaker and less effective against a recovering Porygon2, Windie decides it’s time to make Porygon2 come to them. Splitting into multiple copies of himself through Double Team, Windie acts as a distraction to lure Porygon2 into attacking. Kyuukon joins in and together the two form a large, swift-moving company of distractions. Sumio orders Porygon2 to ignore the two fire-types and fire off a full power Destruction Beam at the Lizardo’s group. Windie and Kyuukon break from their strategy and join the others blasting the large ball of energy threatening to mow over their comrades and trainers. Too exhausted to push the Destruction Beam back, all fifteen of Lizardo, Fushigibana, and Kamex’s comrades drop. Finally ready, Lizardo and his comrades unleash the ultimate elemental techniques. A tremendous clash of wills and energy beams begin with neither side willing to give in. Even with their hearts synched, Akane, Jack, and Junko cannot seem to supply their Pokemon with the strength to overcome Porygon2’s power. Akane notices Lizardo’s blast weakening quicker than the others’. Lizardo thinks back to the old lady’s words “You’re not ready yet.” Akane, sensing her partner’s thoughts, realizes they’re both replaying the same memory in their head simultaneously. With their lives—and the fate of Kantou—on the line, Akane tries hard to find the power in herself to evolve, just like a Pokemon. Lizardo, thinking the same thing, decides he has to evolve and will evolve. Enraptured in a golden fire, Lizardo is replaced with a Lizardon. With new power and spirit, Akane and Lizardon match their rivals’ power output and push the weakened Porygon2’s Destruction Beam back, slamming it into the computer duck, causing a massive explosion. Driven mad by the defeat of his masterpiece, Sumio leaps into the explosion. With the battle won, Akane and Lizardon pass out leaving Jack to mutter about having to be the one to carry Akane to the Pokemon Center. The next morning (Sunday April 28, 1996) Akane awakens to find herself surrounded by Jack, Junko, Sonezaki Masaki and Nishiki. Akane wonders what the big deal is, but the mood in the room is glum. Akane finally inquires aloud only to get a muted, delayed reaction. Jack explains that they have analyzed the data he managed to download from the Rocket Warehouse’s computers. Redwood pushes further and Masaki finally picks up. According to the data he analyzed the location of the Rocket Gang’s main headquarters is Yamabuki City. Akane realizes that means the illness inflicting Natsume-san might very well be from the Rockets. “Worse yet,” Masaki interjects, “it means the Rockets are primed to topple the prefecture’s center of technological advancement: Silph Company.” Akane asks what that means leading to Masaki revealing that Silph has recently created a new Monster Ball, the Master Ball, capable of capturing any Pokemon without fail. If the Rockets develop this technology further it could possibly lead to the effortless stealing of Pokemon. The Masara Town Trio is in agreement to rush to Yamabuki City. Luckily for Akane she has already slept through most of the trip on Masaki’s boat. As the atmosphere settles again Akane remembers that she now has a Lizardon. The two embrace, now feeling like they are equals to Jack and Junko.
•Ending Credits:
•As the boat ride continues, Junko teases Akane about whether or not Rikkun evolving into a Lizardon means she’ll ‘evolve’ into a ‘big busted form’, too. Akane goes red in the face.

Episode #24: “Nobuhiko (Part 1)”
•On Wednesday, May 1, 1996 the Rocket Gang prepares their master plan. Boss Sakaki orders Rocket sleeper cells across Kantou to begin Operation Blast-Off. Chaos erupts across the major cities of Kantou as the Rocket Gang begins attacking the key governing institutions of the prefecture. The Kantou Gym Leaders try to protect their fair cities, but one by one Nibi, Hanada, Kuchiba, Tamamushi, Guren, and Sekichiku, and descend into chaos and flames. In Nibi City, Takeshi orders his Golonya to crush a Rocket so as to prevent him from releasing a Pokemon. War has come to his small coal mining town and he intends to win it. Serving as a backdrop to his master shouting orders to his Gym Trainers, Takeshi’s Haganeil seers through a squadron of Golbats with Dragonbreath. In Hanada City Kasumi and her Gym Trainers drown their foes under the pressure of their water techniques. At the port of Kuchiba Vice-Admiral Matis orders his soldiers from his flagship, the U.S.S. Surge, as a fleet of Rocket Gang ships shell Kuchiba’s City’s place of export and import. A group of Rockets clad in scuba gear board the Surge to prepare a sabotage. Coil spread across the ship for security signal the alert and the Vice-Admiral snaps into action. Matis quickly comes across a pair of Rockets, one with a Golone and the other with a Golbat. Matis snaps a Rocket’s neck while his Elekible tears through the gangster’s Golone with a Brick Break. Catching sight of the enemy’s ships in the harbor Matis curses to himself as he realizes the ships, while re-fit in a Rocket Gang dressing, have a design aesthetic similar to what the Jouto colonies have been known to use. Knowing he will be unable to prevent the commanders under his command from reporting this to the government, Matis spits in disgust as Commander Tsuki Mei pops a cap into a Rocket gangster attempting to kill her admiral. On Guren Island Katsura sears through Rockets, refusing to give way to thugs using water-types to supposedly overrun him on his own island. A Wartortle attempts to behead Katsura with Rapid Spin, but Marmortar silences the turtle forever with a single Thunderbolt. Guren Island is set ablaze as the fire-type trainers under Katsura’s command do battle with their Pokemon. Beholding the sight of the island paradise caught in the eye of a literal firestorm Katsura wonders if perhaps even victory will mean defeat.
•Opening Credits:
•Once eerily calm, Yamabuki City now stands at the eye of the proverbial storm. Grime, blood, and fire pave the streets. Lighting a cigarette with a small street fire, the usually curmudgeonly Inspector Suzu’oki Gorou takes a huff from his sin-stick as he watches his Windie mercilessly take down a group of Rocket Pokemon, completely eviscerating them. Suzu’oki apologizes to the Pokemon corpses, saying that war is unforgiving. An entire private militia and yet so many pieces of trash not worth a second thought, let alone a first. League Agents and Yamabuki police litter the streets, fighting both fire and arsonists. Making his way to the Silph Company tower the inspector takes a moment to admire the beauty of a simple, hardworking policeman fighting a criminal. The policeman used a Gardie, a fine Pokemon indeed, to combat a nasty-looking Betbete. Taking a huff from his cigarette, Gorou lets his mind wander to the trio of kids that had gotten him this intelligence in the first place. The Masara Town kids had sure grown since he had last seen them. The last battle with the Rockets had shaken them both pretty badly, especially Redwood’s girl. Catching sight of the Silph Tower in the distance Inspector Suzu’oki flicks his cigarette into a Rocket’s eye, leaps onto his Windie and gives the order to make haste.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Meanwhile, Akane, Jack, and Junko, ridding on their Lizardon, Pigeot, and Ptera, discuss their next moves. Silph is obviously the Rocket’s main target, but Junko adds that Natsume’s gym is obviously under attack, too. Akane entrusts Junko with lending the ill Natsume a hand while she and Jack go on ahead to the Silph Tower. Junko promises to make haste to the Silph Tower once she has confirmed Natsume’s safety and the trio part ways. Jack asks if it was right for them to split up, but Akane tells Jack to remember what the Rockets were capable with one über-powerful Pokemon, Porygon. Jack smirks and asks his comrade “When did you become such a bold leader?” Akane takes off her hat—jostling her bangs—just long enough to scratch an itch on her brow, neglecting to reply as she motions for Lizardon to begin a downward descent. Rockets, having earlier secured the roof of the Silph Tower, launch lead and Pokemon attacks at their approaching foes. Realizing entering from the roof is a bust Akane and Jack descend to the front entrance. Meanwhile, dougi-clad thugs burst their way into the Yamabuki Gym. Orphans abandoned due to their poor control of burgeoning psychic abilities hide in seclusion as the black belts and their Pokemon tear the Institute for Psychic Research and Development to pieces. Natsume, sensing the nasty souls from her office at the back of the institute nods to her trusted assistant, Nanako. There is little Natsume could do in her weakened state, although the thought of crushing the thugs’ minds with her psychic powers was endearing itself upon her. Natsume nevertheless knew she needed to conserve as much strength as possible should escaping become a necessity. Being able to safely teleport herself, the staff, and the children to her safe-house was her primary concern. Nanako, her first and only childhood friend, would suffice in driving the enemy away. Abandoning her usual conservative white medical jacket, Nanako unleashes her Kantou-variant Barrierd from his Monster Ball and makes for the front of the Institue to confront the rapidly approaching black belts. The black belts, students of Karate King Nobuhiko, bare terrible looks in their eyes. After a moment of silence a flurry of Wanriky, Gourikii, and Mankey fly at the Assistant Gym Leader only to be repelled by Reflect. A burst of Shadow Balls send her foes flying back or on to their knees. Nanako demands the black belts leave before the League captures them with hopes a bluff will spare her a prolonged battle. A black belt either brave or stupid enough to stand up to her replies “Go to Hell, bitch!” and unleashes an Okorizaru in addition to his Gourikii. Barrierd quickly brings the Pokemon to his knees with Psychic, but none of the two dozen black belts are willing to give in. Enraged, the struggling black belts and Pokemon are possessed by powerful black auras. Acting like a dark-type secondary type the fighting-types march toward the unnerved Assistant Gym Leader. Powerful, evil spirits are pouring out of the black belts. Their presence so strong the Assistant Gym Leader feels as if she is being suffocated by the hands of horrible monsters. A loud crash in one of the labs snaps Nanako back to reality. Wondering what has happened, Nanako begins to edge backward toward the hallway to make a run temporary retreat. The black belts inch forward in response. Turning to run, Nanako slams into a tall wall of muscle. It is Nobuhiko, accompanied by his Sawamular and Ebiwala. Punching Nanako back into the lobby Nobuhiko holds up the belt of Monster Balls he had lifted off of Nanako. Cursing her luck, Nanako nods to Barrierd.
•B Part: It is 1990. The Institute for Psychic Research and Development has successfully applied for Pokemon Gym status. Nobuhiko is incredulous; the idea of a single city having two gyms is unthinkable to him. The Pokemon League soon agrees and the Karate Doujou’s license is revoked, especially in light of allegations made against Nobuhiko and his gym staff. Having suffered the ultimate humiliation, usurped by a child who trains psychic-types, Nobuhiko falls into despair. Attempts to earn back Council Member Kan’na’s favor fall on deaf ears in the face of budget cutbacks. Private investors abandon the Karate Doujou, investments belly-up in a rough economy and Trainers visit less and less. The Yamabuki Institute grows in numbers, soon gaining notoriety as the mightiest gym in Kantou, both for its Gym Leader and the Gym Trainers that seek to improve themselves under her tutelage. Nobuhiko’s good-natured students eventually leave him as he descends into planning revenge. Selling his soul to the Rocket Gang, Nobuhiko is able to maintain the lease on his land and doujou. Gathering the only soldiers he now can, teenaged delinquents and lowlifes, Nobuhiko builds a personal elite force of fighting-type trainers driven by desire for chaos. Back in the present Nanako demands to know why the Institute is under siege. Nobuhiko does not reply and simply motions to his Sawamular. Using Brick Break Sawamular shatters the Reflect barrier set up by Barrierd. With his barrier gone Barrierd is susceptible to Sawamular’s Fling and Ebiwala’s Pursuit. The double strike sends Barrierd crashing through the lobby counter. Without access to her other Pokemon Nanako knows she has no chance of coming out of this alive. Suddenly, a lavender flash sends Sawamular and Ebiwala flying through wall plaster. Startled, Nobuhiko turns to find a young girl with long brown hair hopping through a freshly created hole in the wall. A majestic Ptera claws at Nobuhiko’s Pokemon, both still bowled over from the ancient Pokemon’s Tsubame Gaeshi. The Karate King orders his Pokemon to fight back with Brick Break, eventually fending Ptera off. The two fighting Pokemon rush at the rock and flying-type with their strongest fighting-type moves, but Barrierd manages to trip the two up with Psychic. Junko apologizes for being late as she approaches Nanako’s side and help the Assistant back to her feet. Nanako thanks Junko for the hand but says she’s just gotten herself surrounded. Junko disagrees and as if by cue a Windie surrounds Nobuhiko’s students and their Pokemon with Fire Spin. The thuggish black belts curse the new arrival, but Junko simply ignores them. Junko demands the Karate King return Nanako-san’s Monster Balls and fight them in a fair fight. Nobuhiko refuses the demand and motions to Ebiwala and Sawamular. Junko reveals with a sigh she figured that would be his response. As if on cue a series of vines reach out from behind Nobuhiko, attempting to ensnare him. The Karate King avoids the sneaky vines and follows them back to their source by eye. Catching sight of Junko’s sneaky Utsubot Nobuhiko praises the girl for her wide variety of Pokemon and tactics. Junko replies that his compliment sounds more like “I’m a one-note dolt and suck big-time!” Nobuhiko responds by motioning to Ebiwala. Ebiwala employs Double Team and Fire Punch as she charges at and slugs Utsubot. The grass-type Pokemon shudders from the sudden blow but quickly responds with a blast of Acid on the face of the Ebiwala whose punch hurt him. Ebiwala recoils in pain slightly before employing dual Fire Punches. Utsubot slips the jab and uses a vine to lift the blinded Ebiwala up by her right ankle. Extra vines soon ensnare and bind Ebiwala’s arms in an attempt to prevent the Pokemon from freeing itself. Gathering solar energy, Utsubot plans to end the battle with a close-range Solar Beam. Sawamular attempts to rush to aide his comrade but realizes even the slightest movement will be taken advantage of by Barrierd and Ptera. Realizing he is cornered, Nobuhiko clenches his jaw and fist in embarrassment. Refusing to lose, Nobuhiko gives in to the dark aura the Rocket Gang supplied him and his Pokemon with. Utsubot unleashes his Solar Beam straight at Ebiwala’s face, but when the smoke clears Junko notices all three of their foes now emitting a strange, black aura filled with malice. Similar—but different—to the power she, Akane and Jack have previously used at critical moments, Junko realizes what she is looking at is a mirror image what the ideal Pokemon Trainer. Nobuhiko roars with unquestionable wrath, his ki flaring up in size and fearsomeness. Junko wipes sweat from her face as memories of the Rocket Executives bubble back to the surface. Junko can sense that the Karate King’s newfound power is rooted in his long-rooted emotional turmoil. The problem is that emotional turmoil is now giving his Pokemon a special dark-type subtype. Nanako-san is powerless against dark-types leaving only Junko capable of fighting these devilish auras. Ebiwala breaks free of its ensnarement easily, regains a footing, and begins pummeling on Utsubot with a mix of Fire Punch and Mach Punch. Utsubot does its best to fight back but the fighting-type’s speed and strength is too formidable. With a final Fire Punch Sawamular sends her grass-type foe flying down the hallway their battle is taking place in. Junko returns the unconscious Pokemon to his Monster Ball and reaches for a Super Ball on her belt. Nobuhiko makes a mad-dash for Junko to prevent her from replacing her fallen comrade, but a swift tackle from Windie halts the Wall of Muscle’s charge. The two struggle, the frothing Nobuhiko refusing to give ground. Junko quickly unleashes her Dodorio from the flying-type’s Super Ball and the three-headed bird quickly unleashes a triple dose of Drill Peck on the Ebiwala that defeated her comrade. Ebiwala’s out-boxing proves formidable as the possessed fighting-type evades and counterattacks all in the same motion. Ptera does his best to perform an Tsubame Gaeshi within the confines of the institution lobby, but the cramped confines it impossible for him to generate the necessary speed for assured contact. Sawamular unleashes a flurry of Jump Kicks at the approaching foe, forcing Ptera to break off his attack. Junko realizes that short of using Destruction Beam, a risky move, there is little Ptera can do to win the fight inside of the building. Windie is too busy wrestling with Nobuhiko and Dodorio has all three of her heads full handling Ebiwala. Suddenly Barrierd summons forth what strength he has and makes a mad rush to the rather sizable hole left in the wall by Ptera. Barrierd hops through the hole onto the pavement outside and begins using its telekinetic powers to throw the debris at Sawamular. Sawamular breaks the stone and plaster with simple kicks, knocks Ptera aside and gives chase to Barrierd. Ptera, playing possum, allows for Sawamular to run outside the building. Meanwhile, Nanako reaches out with her left hand and uses her own telekinesis to try and draw her Monster Balls back to her. Nobuhiko, still wrestling with Windie, refuses to let the belt go, but this is the distraction Windie needs to deal a crushing blow. Windie quickly bites Nobuhiko’s left wrist, rendering it bloody and useless. His grip loosened from the pain, Nobuhiko loses the belt to Nanako. Incensed, Nobuhiko begins drilling crushing blows into Windie’s left side with his right fist. Windie loses his breath, gasping for air as his hold on the Karate King goes limp. The duo of women give each other a high-five for accomplishing the plan Nanako had communicated to Junko through telepathy. Junko asks Nanako why she didn’t just call the Monster Balls back instead of the belt, but Nanako replies that “the belt was a gift from my girlfriend.” That girlfriend, of course, is her beloved Natsume-sama. Nobuhiko roars in discontentment and backhands Windie’s snout swiftly. Outside Sawamular gives chase, hoping to crush Barrierd with Hi-Jump Kicks powered by dark-type energy. Barrierd narrowly dodges the assaults, but the strikes are quickly gaining accuracy. Suddenly, Ptera strikes Sawamular with a powerful and unexpected Tsubame Gaeshi. Crashing into and knocking over a tree, Sawamular picks itself up, dusts himself off, and begins using Bulk Up to maximize its strength and defense. Ptera sweeps downward for another Tsubame Gaeshi, but Sawamular merely tanks the sharp, blade-like wing. Ptera drags Sawamular across the Institute courtyard, but the leg-specializing Pokemon has particularly able legs. With Ptera’s momentum slowing to a crawl Sawamular grabs the dinosaur by the wing and slams it into the ground. Unleashing Close Combat on the pinned Pokemon, Sawamular deals a tremendous amount of damage. Leaning over his foe to gloat, Sawamular becomes the unfortunate victim of hubris as the rock and flying-type Pokemon unleashes a close range Destruction Beam with the last of its strength. Sawamular dodges as best as it can, but the blast hits well enough. With half of its face melted beyond recognition the pain is too much for the fighting-type leg maestro to handle and it falls unconscious. Barrierd, in similarly rough shape, joins his immobile comrade by his side and begins doing his best to ease his pain through psychic therapy.
•Ending Credits:
•

Episode #25: “Nobuhiko (Part 2)”
•Inside the Institute, Nanako unleashes a Yungerer and pair of Casey. Joining forces the three psychic-type Pokemon begin an assault on Nobuhiko’s mind. Roaring in agony, Nobuhiko does his best to inch toward his enemies. Normally the trio would be more than enough to render a normal human-being to a vegetative state, but with the dark-type aura surrounding his body the effects of the psychic assault is nigh null.
•Opening Credits:
•Ebiwala senses her master’s distress and slips past Dodorio to help him. Dodorio gives chase, but Ebiwala destroys the support arch behind her, effectively blocking Dodorio’s path. Debating whether she should destroy the debris with Destruction Beam or Tri-Attack, Dodorio eventually turns around and searches for the office where Nobuhiko created a hole in the wall to enter from.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Meanwhile, Ebiwala unleashes a flurry of Mach Punches at her master’s enemies. The duo of Caseys generate a force field with Protect to protect Junko and Nanako. Cleaning her glasses, Nanako orders one of her Caseys to use Confusion. The psychic-type attack does Ebiwala no harm, however. Windie—having long-since recovered and only playing dead—opens an eye to give Junko a look. The Masara Town girl catches her Pokemon’s look and understands immediately what he is suggesting. With Nobuhiko distracted by Yungerer’s assault now would be the perfect time for him to burn him to death with a Flamethrower. Junko finds her heart wavering, she’s never ordered the death of a human before, but with the Fire Spin sealing off the black belts waning without Windie’s continued presence it is not soon before their small advantage turns into a big disadvantage. Remembering Akane and Jack’s similar difficult decisions Junko resolves to protect the innocent, no matter the cost. Clutching her first, Junko recalls Suzu’oki’s words informing her, Jack and Akane that they were no licensed to kill. With a deep breath Junko gives the silent order. Nobuhiko, growing ever closer to Yungerer, forms a karate chop, intending to strike the Pokemon decisively on the noggin. Suddenly, Windie snaps into action and unleashes a scalding Flamethrower. Nobuhiko cries out in agony as his back is blasted with intense flames. Ebiwala quickly changes actions and slams a mighty Thunder Punch into the same side ribs her master had earlier damaged. With his left ribs busted Windie droops downward, no longer able to fill his lungs with oxygen, let alone channel fire-type energy through his body and out his mouth. The fire-type attempts to stand but Ebiwala delivers a quick jab to his left eye for good measure. Slumped back onto the floor, Windie finds his consciousness fading. With a last thought Windie realizes only seconds later he had attempted to burn a human to death. With a smoldering back the Karate King nonetheless attempts to pick himself up. Thinking back to his first meeting with Natsume the Karate King remembers his first impressions of the young girl. She showed no sign of emotion, no sign of warmth and no sign of regret for usurping the previous Yamabuki Gym. “How might I help you, Nobuhiko-san?” she asked. She was oblivious, sitting behind her desk in all of her arrogance. He tried to plead with her but Natsume’s replies were all too logical, all too cold, and all too true: she deserved the Pokemon League Status and her the gym and institute would mean the betterment of Kantou citizens. Both those with psychic abilities and mental disabilities and illnesses would benefit from the institute’s research and therapy. The complete detachment with which Natsume made her argument only made him hate her more. It was like being stripped of his humanity all over again. As he was escorted out of the institute by the Assistant Gym Leader, Nobuhiko caught sight of a classroom of children studying. It was at that sight and that moment that Nobuhiko realized he was a bigot and did not give a damn.
•B Part: Returning his attention to the present, Nobuhiko rises to his feet, his dark aura growing fiercer as it feeds off of and suppresses his pain. With a swift karate chop the Karate King sends Yungerer to his knees. An unexpected blast from Tri-Attack crashes into Ebiwala, knocking the boxing Pokemon off balance as Dodorio rushes in to deal a finishing attack on the Karate King. Ebiwala quickly recovers and takes a flurry of Drill Pecks. Blood spurts across the lobby as the drilling beaks tear through Ebiwala. Nobuhiko reaches over his Pokemon’s limp body and grabs Dodorio by her central neck. With impressive strength Nobuhiko tosses Dodorio toward a wall but his efforts are in vain when one of the Casey stop the flying-type in mid-air and safely places it back on the ground. Ready to fall over, Nobuhiko nonetheless unleashes a kiai to fortify his fighting spirit as he tears off the remains of his dougi top. Dodorio kicks Ebiwala’s body off of her beaks and prepares to finish off the Karate King. Suddenly, a group of Mankey and Wanriky tackle Dodorio to the ground. Junko reaches for another Monster Ball, but is grabbed by a black belt before she can react. The Fire Spin has finally faded leaving the sweaty and dehydrated black belts able to rejoin the battle. Nobuhiko flashes a demented grin, claiming his victory before even making the final blow. Suddenly the black belts fall to their knees, clutching their heads. Nobuhiko reacts with disbelief, scouring the room for the source of his soldiers’ discomfort. At first there is merely the faint sounds of slippers shuffling across title. The sounds stop and all is silent. After a moment a roaring sound breaks the silence as the debris sealing off the hall way suddenly fly at the Karate King. Knocked onto his back by the maelstrom of debris the Karate King takes sight of the woman he has not laid eye on in years: the object of his revenge, Natsume of the Yamabuki Institute for Psychic Research and Development. Gripping a fist with both his right hand and injured left, Nobuhiko rises to meet his foe at eyelevel, if hunched over. Natsume asks Nobuhiko to explain the meaning of his actions in his own words. Nobuhiko asks if this is her way of saying she already understands his feelings. Natsume replies in the affirmative, but still wishes to hear from him his agony. Incensed by her apparently forced social graciousness, Nobuhiko charges as the weak of body Natsume. Natsume quickly teleports behind Nobuhiko and slaps him on his charred back. Suppressing the pain, Nobuhiko launches another strike on Natsume, but an Alakazam easily blocks the Karate King’s chop and counters with a mighty Focus Punch to his chest. Landing back several feet back Nobuhiko finds it difficult to move. Natsume informs Nanako and Junko that the children are escaping by bus as they speak. Nanako worries about Natsume, but the Gym Leader replies that she is doing well enough. Natsume reasons that the best way to end this battle is for her to face Nobuhiko herself. The Gym Leader turns to face her fallen senior and asks what she can do to ease his pain. The dark aura emitting from the Karate King’s body grows weaker, but its continued presence makes it difficult for her to touch his mind. Nobuhiko replies that he has accepted that there is no escape from his Hell. Natsume takes a moment to formulate a reply. Junko clenches her Kamex’s Monster Ball in her hand as a roughed-up Dodorio struggles back to her feet. Nanako straightens her glasses as the thuggish black belts lie exhausted or unconscious on the floor. Finally, Natsume gives her reply: “I regret not planting the seeds for mutual respect in our relationship.” Nobuhiko’s face changes to one of confusion. Silence fills the lobby for an unrecognizable period of time. Nobuhiko speaks up at last and asks why Natsume used the word ‘mutual’. Natsume replies plainly that she regrets never finding the time to dine with her ‘senpai’. “Perhaps if I had begun a friendship there have been less need for bloodshed?” Natsume’s words inflict the greatest pain the Karate King has ever felt. In his heart he cries out for her to say no more. He refuses to face it. The Karate King picks himself up once more and charges at the object of his hate. He punches it, furiously, relentlessly. “Die!” the Karate King shouts. The more he punches the more his fists bleed, the more his fists bleed the more he wishes to destroy that which he sees before him. Finally, a crack. Another one, another crack appears. A third and then a million more appear. Nobuhiko’s furious fists and wailing cries are quelled only by the soft touch of a small hand on his right shoulder. Nobuhiko dares not turn to face his would-be friend. Looking up, short of breath, Nobuhiko looks into the window and sees his object of hate: himself. Natsume places an arm around the Wall, offering him a warm embrace. Finally the Wall falls into the hushing embrace of the Scapegoat. A blubbering mess, Nobuhiko falls to the floor, lowered gently by Natsume.
•Ending Credits:
•

Episode #26: “Tower of Darkness”
•An hour earlier Junko was fighting to protect the Yamabuki Gym from the revenge-crazy Karate King. Now, defying her legs and lungs, Junko climbs the Silph Company Tower in pursuit of her comrades. To her regret she is already quite considerably late to the party and her comrades have already cleared the way on many of the lower floors of the Silph Tower. According to her PokeGear’s GPS Junko was still a few floors below Jack. Receiving an all-clear from a Pokemon League Agent securing the twenty-third floor, Junko wondered how much longer it would be before an inevitable sneak attack from the Rockets. Clearing Floor #24 Junko stops to take a breath. Nidoqueen and Kamex are her only two Pokemon left in fighting shape. Dorio might be up for it should things go to Hell, but even then his ability to fight would be limited. Continuing her climb, Junko passes by the door to Floor #25, two floors below Jack. Just as the girl’s bouncing brunette hair nearly follows her past the door to Floor #25 a rip roar of thundering energy tears the metal door off of its hinges and down the middle of the stairwell. To top it all off the ends of Aoki’s hair are singed in the process. Stopping cold in her tracks, one foot on the first step of the next flight, Aoki breaks out into a cold sweat. A foul, familiar aura is—and has been—awaiting Aoki Junko on Floor #25. Cursing herself for her due-diligence, Junko grips Nidoqueen’s Monster Ball and quickly tosses it around the corner into the Floor #25 hallway. The Ball bounces back after unleashing its cargo, signaling Junko to come out from her cover and stand behind Nidoqueen as it faces down with Rocket Executive Lance and his Sandpan.
•Opening Credits:
•The sinister personality looks just as he had last Aoki saw him, plus an array of new facial scars left over from battle. Aoki doffs her sunhat just long enough to wipe off the cold sweat dripping into her eyes. Lance, having awaited this moment, casually commences conversation with a simple, terse, “Yo!”
•Title Card:
•A Part: Aoki wastes no time and orders the use of Ice Beam. Nidoqueen unleashes a blast of ice-type energy at her ground-type foe, but the wily Sandpan quickly splits into multiple copies and dashes down the side of the walls toward its foe. With no time to discern the real Sandpan, Nidoqueen is forced to take a sharp Slash to the gut. Using this contact as an opportunity, Nidoqueen grabs a hold of Sandpan and delivers a startling display of Superpower. Slamming the ground-type through the wall to her left, Nidoqueen commences cutting the wall using Sandpan’s body as a blade. After a few split-seconds Sandpan manages to slice Nidoqueen’s hands, freeing himself from her grip. Nidoqueen quickly unleashes a Water Pulse in retort but it is nullified by Sandpan’s Protect, which is in turn followed up by Swords Dance. Aoki orders another Water Pulse only to see it steamrolled through by Gyro Ball. Nidoqueen catches her spinning foe after a struggle. Lifting the spinning ball into the air Nidoqueen tosses the ground-type back at its trainer. Lance merely sidesteps the toss so as to allow for Sandpan to hit the ground rolling. Realizing she has only allowed her foe to gain more speed, Nidoqueen unleashes an Ice Beam to create barriers for Sandpan to run into. As expected of the worst luck, Sandpan tears through each ice barrier as it begins its march to slam into Nidoqueen. Bracing herself for impact, Nidoqueen uses all of her strength to try and stop her foe. Woefully, Nidoqueen’s efforts are otiose and she is sent flying back into the stairwell, slamming through a railing guard and into the metal wall separating the stairwell from the outdoors. Nigh unconscious from the positively dreadful slamming, Nidoqueen struggles back to her feet in an attempt to climb the stairs back into the Floor #25 hallway. Hard of breath and hearing, Nidoqueen does her best to begin readying her elementary energies for a final Water Pulse. Junko considers returning Nidoqueen to her Monster Ball, but with Kamex her only Pokemon left at full strength and nary time to use a healing item in the ragged Nidoqueen Junko peers at Dodorio’s Monster Ball and begins to consider her options. Unwilling to be defeated so quickly, Nidoqueen unleashes Water Pulse only to see it sliced through with Shadow Claw. Running low on options Junko decides to go for broke, spraying a Hyper Potion on Nidoqueen and ordering Nidoqueen to use Body Slam. Synching her heart with Nidoqueen’s Junko conveys the true purpose of her plan to the poison-ground-type Pokemon. Understanding instantly, Nidoqueen leaps at Sandpan with as much strength as she can muster. Lance orders the use of Protect, obviously meant as a precursor to a deadly follow-up Crush Claw, but disbelief soon paves his face. The force of the slam is so great that Nidoqueen breaks through the floor surrounding Sandpan’s barrier bubble. The pair of Pokemon fall through the hole and continue falling through floor after floor. Sandpan’s Protect fades after a few floors. Finally reaching the front lobby on Floor #1 the duo crash into floor spectacularly, both unconscious. Junko quickly texts to the agents holding the front lobby to look after her Pokemon and Lance’s Sandpan.
•B Part: Impressed, if livid, Lance congratulates Aoki Junko on outwitting him. Aoki takes a moment before retorting as she tightens her grip on Dodorio’s Monster Ball. Lance realizes she is still expecting him to pull something, laughing at the expectations. Aoki asks what is so funny, Lance replying that he guesses she wasn’t expecting her little plan to call in re-enforcements. Aoki retorts that she certainly was expecting re-enforcements to arrive but only in addition to his continued resistance. Thanking her for thinking so highly of his skill, Lance reveals that while his loyalty to the Boss is great he doesn’t plan on acting as a barricade to the point of being captured. Junko asks “Just why are you doing this?” earning a simple reply of “For fun,” from Lance. Lance grins and waves Aoki farewell, running back to an office behind him at the end of the hall. Cursing her due diligence once again, Aoki rushes in after him, Dodorio kicking down the door. Finding Lance opening a cabinet with a Casey hidden inside Aoki quickly orders a Tri-Attack. The Casey uses Protect, leaving Lance to briefly consider using his Matadogas, Ratta, and Golbat, but considering the number of re-enforcements likely to come it’s probably best he made a run for it. Commanding the Casey to teleport him back to HQ Lance finds himself wrapped in a while light, but only momentarily. Finding he has not instantaneously moved, Lance gives the order again. Casey’s eyes glow, but nothing appears to work. A voice from outside the office calls from afar saying he can keep this up all day. Realizing he’s been had by a psychic League Agent, Lance curses his luck, tosses a smoke bomb, and leaps out the office’s window with the Casey. Slowing his descent with Golbat, Lance drops to the ground floor, breaks through a wall using Ratta’s Rollout, and orders Sandpan, currently being held in a cage loaded into the back of an armored truck, to break out. Suddenly exuding a black aura, Sandpan blasts through the cage with Destruction Beam and slices his way out with his renewed strength. The League Agents holding the lobby attack the Sandpan with their Pokemon, but to no avail. Sandpan’s speed, power, and defense multiply to new heights and the group of unprepared Pokemon quickly finds themselves the bearers of new gashes. Lance, exuding a terrible dark aura of his own, returns Sandpan to his Monster Ball and tosses another smoke ball to cover his escape.
•Ending Credits:
•Meanwhile, Junko has returned to climbing the stairs of the Silph Company Tower. Reaching Floor #27, Aoki busts open the door to see…absolutely nothing. Hearing something in the distance Junko calms her breathing to focus on the faint sounds. Finally, Orchid Jack’s Saidon crashes through a wall into the adjacent wall, littering the hallway with debris and papers. Reclaiming his footing, Saidon roars at its obscured foe.

Episode #27: “Tower of Darkness (Part 2)”
•Meanwhile, Orchid Jack orders his Saidon to unleash an array of Rock Blasts. Slippery as ever, Rocket Executive Athena’s Arbok easily dodges the blasts while retorting with its own Sludge Bombs. Dodging the blobs of poison-type energy is difficult for Saidon, especially why trying to avoid falling through the floor and he inevitably take some lumps. Eventually the rock-type gets in close enough to fire off an Ice Beam, but Arbok’s strength is clearly great enough that a single Iron Tail pushes straight through the beam and smacks into Saidon’s right cheek. Careening over sideways, Saidon attempts to pick himself up before finding himself on the receiving end of a powerful Iron Tail to the ribs. The sudden strike slams Saidon back into the floor, causing sufficient damage in the process. Spotting the weakening integrity of the floor below his comrade Jack recalls his Pokemon and unleashes his Pigeot. Feathers from the majestic bird quickly and inconspicuously layer the confined space of the Floor #27 hallway.
•Opening Credits:
•Junko and Dodorio, having watched the unfolding battle from the end of the hallway, makes their way to the office Jack’s shouts are escaping. Jack takes quick and quiet note of his comrade so as to keep his attention on the battle at hand. Pigeot’s mid-air diving and swooping keeps Arbok’s keen eyes working. Athena orders Arbok to use Acid, a splatter of acidic green liquid rains down on Pigeot, but the flying-type remains vigilant. More feathers descend upon Arbok, clinging to him. Athena realizes what Jack’s plan is and quickly moves to turn the tables. Ordering the use of Acid again Athena hopes to take control of Pigeot’s flight plan. Controlling the paths Pigeot flies, Arbok finally gets the flying-type within range of an Iron Tail. Sent clashing into a filing cabinet, Pigeot shrieks in pain when Arbok unleashes Ice Fang on his wind. Pigeot quickly retaliates with Heat Wave, melting not only the ice on his wing, but burning his foe’s face. With Arbok recoiling in pain Jack orders the use of Steel Wing, sure to rattle their foe’s brains. The strike is successful, but Arbok uses the wing to help shed his skin and heal herself of her burns. Jack orders Double Team and Air Slash, hoping to take a quick victory. Arbok slices through the blade-like wind pressure of Air Slash with Iron Tail and follows up with Stockpile. Junko tells Jack to be careful, prompting Jack to let loose a nervous smile as he wipes the sweat from his brow. Athena jokes “Outside advice is unfair in a battle to the death!” The joke leaves the two Masara Town kids feeling no less nervous. Pigeot boosts his speed with Quick Attack, hoping a Quick Attack-powered Steel Wing will take Arbok out before it can heal herself with Swallow. Arbok, still Stockpiling, casually drops backward when the zooming flying-type attempts to make contact. Sharply turning to avoid crashing, Pigeot nonetheless skids into a desk on the wall left to the office’s entrance. Realizing Pigeot’s too restricted in such a cramped space the Orchid boy returns his Pokemon to his Monster Ball and unleashes Kyuukon.
•Title Card:
•A Part: With Arbok still using Stockpile Jack realizes he only has a few moments left before they are back to square one. Nodding to Kyuukon, Jack tries to convince himself he’s doing the right thing. Athena asks if he’s going to speed-blitz her or not in a mocking manner. Kyuukon sits in place in response moving no more than a statue would. Thirty seconds pass and Kyuukon has yet to make a move. Athena finds herself beginning to sweat. Finally, Arbok maximizes her ability to use Stockpile and proceeds to swallow the built-up energy with the technique ‘Swallow’. Healing her wounds, Arbok stands tall and ready to battle. Still, Kyuukon is unmoving. Athena looks to Jack, finding like Pokemon like trainer, the lad is unmoving. Finding the situation positively baffling, Athena finds herself moving from frustrated and confused to increasingly nervous. Berating herself for falling victim to whatever little trick the Masara Town lad is pinning his hopes on, Athena tries to convince herself to attack. Finally, Athena is able to commit and orders Arbok to use Toxic. Jack and Kyuukon’ eyes re-open swift like the lightning as the fire-type incinerates the toxic liquid by generating a Safeguard force field. Protected from status ailment, Kyuukon returns to her statue-esque form. Further irritated by her foe’s non-action, Athena orders Arbok to use Sludge Bomb. The flying heaps of poison serve as cover to Arbok as she stealthily sneaks in close to Kyuukon. Kyuukon dodges the heaps of sludge and retorts with Psyshock, stopping Arbok dead in her tracks only inches away from using Thunger Fang on Kyuukon’ throat. Unleashing unspeakable psychic-based damage on the poison-type Pokemon, Kyuukon sends Arbok flying back towards her trainer. Athena returns Arbok to her Monster Ball before re-summoning her, thus avoiding being steamrolled by her own Pokemon. Stiff, sore, and disoriented Arbok breathes heavily and with great labor. Athena curses herself for ignoring all the signs. Kyuukon was using Calm Mind to maximize her Special Attack and Special Defense. Resolving to not lose to herself, Athena takes a deep breath and cries a horrifying shriek, gaining the attention of both Jack and Junko. Athena reveals that she is about to do something she swore she would reserve for the Four Heavenly Kings. Suddenly, both Athena and Arbok are shrouded in a fierce, sickening aura of darkness.
•B Part: “This again,” Junko mutters, obtaining Jack’s attention. Junko explains what she saw in the battles with Nobuhiko and Lance, prompting an addition from Athena. The Rocket Executive calls this power ‘The Darkness’. By drawing on their dark thoughts and emotions one can enter a shared state of being with their Pokemon to increase their strength, speed, defense and stamina many fold. Junko and Jack both realize this is similar to something they and Akane Redwood have previously experienced. Jack ventures to ask if the opposite state has a name and displays said state himself. Athena, becoming noticeably more agitated, replies in the affirmative: “It is called ‘The Passion’.” Jack and Kyuukon surround themselves in a furious, wild aura of gold light. Growing stronger and wilder by the second Jack matches the increasing ferocity of Athena’s dark aura. Finally, both trainers announce their orders simultaneously. Flames said to have been shone like gold sears across the office floor toward Arbok. Splitting into multiple images, the swarm of poison-type Pokemon slither from on the sides of the Flamethrower to its source. Unleashing a close-range Destruction Beam, Arbok goes for the kill. Kyuukon sustains the Destruction Beam, shrouding herself in a fiery golden mane of energy. The image of Ratta’s half-eaten corpse blips in the Orchid lad’s mind. Brimming with overwhelming passion Jack shouts his orders despite having no need for verbal communication. Bursting through the smoke generated by the close-range Destruction Beam’s explosion, a searching Fire Blast slams into the still-recoiling Arbok, sending the cobra Pokemon flying past her trainer into the wall. Athena orders another Destruction Beam but with swift speed Kyuukon slams into Arbok with Quick Attack. Acting before her foe can strike, Arbok takes a mighty bite into her foe with Thunder Fang. Kyuukon counters in kind with Fire Fang. The two Pokemon hold their ground for what seems like an eternity to Junko. Finding herself overwhelmed by the intensity of the fight Junko wonders if this is how a spectator to her last two fights might have felt. Impressed by the scope of her own self-questioning Junko is inspired to consider if perhaps she is simply exhibiting narcissism in having these thoughts. A terse yelp from Kyuukon snaps Junko back to reality as she realizes the constant outpour of electric-type energy into such a sensitive area of her body has left the fire-type both susceptible to paralysis and having a chunk of flesh torn out from her neck. Junko instinctively calls out for Kyuukon to hang in there, but the fire-type’s body is becoming ever increasingly limper. Jack shouts a final order using English words Junko is not entirely familiar with. Kyuukon’ eyes snap back to life just long enough to re-strengthen Safeguard before passing out. Jack switches Pokemon for Ghos. Athena laughs at the lad’s choice of Pokemon. Ghos displays no need for verbal marching orders and quickly unleashes Hypnosis. Finding her Pokemon lulled into sleep Athena flares up her Aura of Darkness to stir Arbok. Jack does similarly, providing Ghos with more and more strength. Finally, Ghos locks Arbok into a solid state of sleep and begins eating away with Dream Eater. Athena asks if this is supposed to be some form of psychological warfare, Jack replying in the affirmative. Junko looks at Ghos and realizes just what Jack has been going for. Jack tells Athena to remember their battle at the Rock Tunnel. The Rocket Executive feigns disinterest and asks what the Masara Town lad means. Jack recites the story of how he met Ghos. It was a rainy day on the bike path leading south. Jack was taking shelter at a pit-stop when the Pokemon floated down from the sky to join him in eating lunch. The Ghos ate from Pigeot’s food dish, instigating a squabble between the two. After a moment Pigeot stopped as both he and Jack realized who the Ghos was. Back in the present, Ghos uses Thunder Bolt to nail Arbok into the crater in the wall it had previously been sent flying into by Kyuukon’ Fire Blast. Another bolt of lightning kept the poison-type pinned in place. Another dug him deeper in. A fourth Thunderbolt sends the nightmare-stricken Arbok tearing through the office wall and falling to the courtyard below. With little remaining in the way of firepower, Athena glances out the wall to the ground below. With the League quickly retaking the Silph Company it is only a matter of time before she is surrounded by a dozen League Agents and unable to escape. Athena points to Ghos and says “Perhaps it was wiser to have not killed you,” before leaping out the hole in the wall and gliding to the ground with her Golbat. Returning Arbok to his Monster Ball, Athena peers back up to the floor she had only moments ago defended, before taking into the night. Back in the war-torn office, Junko hops onto her Dodorio and offers Jack a lift to the following floors. Returning Ghos to his Super Ball, Jack takes a deep breath, unleashes Kyuukon to apply a Hyper Potion, and accepts the ride.
•Ending Credits:
•From the now empty and damaged battlefield that is the lower levels of the Silph Company the sounds of thunder high above can be heard.

Episode #28: “The Adjutant (Part 1)”
•On Floor #40 Akane and Raichu narrowly avoid the precise and deadly slashing motions of Ryuunosuke’s Strike. Iron Tail is being easily brushed aside and fields of Thunder Wave are being bypassed with expert speed, dexterity and strength. Wiping her sweaty palms on her pants, Akane begins to realize all the skills in the world aren’t going to mean much if she hasn’t the speed and power to hit her foe. Ryuunosuke questions whether Akane Redwood understands what it is she is getting herself into. Akane, for all her swashbuckling swagger, finds herself considerably more conservative in her demeanor in the presence of the man who once went toe-to-toe with Inspector Suzu’oki. Ryuunosuke nods to Strike and the praying-mantis leaps toward Raichu with considerable speed, slicing the electric-type clear in two...or so he thought! Raichu, having snuck in the use of Double Team, slices at Strike’s neck from behind with Iron Tail. Strike, not to be one-upped, splits into multiple copies using Double Team. Slamming his tail through a mere doppelgänger, Raichu regains his footing on the floor and unleashes a widespread Thunderbolt, hoping to hit all Strike simultaneously. Strike evades the follow-up with Agility and returns to using Swords Dance to maximize his offensive ability.
•Opening Credits:
•Raichu fills the bull pit with Double Team clones as Strike continues to maximize his offensive powers. Both Pokemon and their trainers stare each other down, like a hair trigger about to be pulled.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Finally, Akane breaks first and has Raichu strike the Strike. A dozen Raichu leap forward to strike the Strike with an Iron Tail strike but Strike strikes back, dexterity on display, and side steps or blocks each strike of the many Raichu’s strikes. Finally, Strike takes a solid strike to his Popliteal Fossa and buckles under the pressure. Using the recoil of the strike to his advantage, Raichu flips backward, bounces off of a cubicle’s wall, and unleashes a heavy, full-body Body Slam to pin Strike beneath him. In position, Raichu pumps Strike full of a Thunder attack. However, Strike merely disappears?! Yes, while Raichu was distracted—in just a split moment—from his back flip Strike had managed to use Double Team! Now—belly-down—Raichu receives a sharp slice to his back. Akane cries out for her friend while the electric rodent screeches in pain. Strike raises his sickle for another strike down on Raichu but the electric rodent somehow finds the wherewithal to jab his tail into Strike’s solar plexus. Bereft of breath, Strike halts his strike and begins to go weak in the legs. Wrapping his tail around Strike’s legs, Raichu pulls Strike down and begins to pummel him with Thunder Punches from both fists! Strike splits blood into Raichu’s eyes to blind him and uses the opportunity to slice at Raichu’s throat. Sensing the danger, as if he can see through Akane’s eyes, Raichu instinctively bends backward and dodges the Strike’s strike. Tail still wrapped around the bug-type foe below him, Raichu pumps a Thunderbolt into his foe. Fighting through the shock, Strike uses Psycho Cutter to strike at Raichu’s mind. Sent recoiling from the pain, Raichu limply falls off of Strike. With the tail around his legs finally loose Strike slips free and puts some distance between he and his foes while he catches his breath. Ryuunosuke, grimacing like there is no tomorrow, considers switching Strike out for a different Pokemon, but ultimately decides on a different option. “Well, I was going to do this next week but I suppose now is as good a time as any!” The Adjutant’s composure concerns Akane, drawing his foe’s instinct to the forefront. Reaching for Kabuto’s Monster Ball red-and-black one piece-clad girl readies to fight dirty. Suddenly, Strike leaps over to his trainer and allows the man to apply a…coat of some sort? With the wax applied, Strike takes a deep breath before becoming enveloped in a bright light. “Oh shit, he’s evolving?!” Bleeding profusely, Raichu stumbles over to Akane to get a Super Potion applied to his cuts. Finally, a Hassam breaks free of the light. Akane uses her Pokemon Zukan to determine that Hassam is a bug/steel-type Pokemon. Raichu begrudgingly accepts being recalled to his Monster Ball and is replaced by…Kingler? Akane orders Muddy Water and Floor #40 rather quickly becomes a dirty, stinky swamp. ‘Can’t ruin my pants if I’m in a skirt!’ Akane tells herself as she feels the gross water reach past her ankles and sneakers, “Thank goodness I didn’t wear stockings, either” she mumbles to herself. “Kingler, Dive!” Kingler hides in the water, waiting for his chance to strike Hassam. Unimpressed, Hassam fires two Destruction Beams from his two claws. With holes in the floor now draining the swamp Kingler is soon revealed…charging a Destruction Beam of his own! Launching the beam, Kingler skids back from the force as it heads straight for Hassam. However, having evolved, Hassam is now faster than ever and easily dodges his foe’s blast, following up with a thudding Metal Claw from above. Blocking the aerial strike with his left pincer, Kingler counters with a Crabhammer but Hassam once again speedily avoids the strike. Hassam puts some distance between he and his foe as both try to catch their breaths after using Destruction Beam. Akane wonders if she shouldn’t switch for Rikkun the Lizardon but ultimately decides that he will need his full strength for later. Meanwhile, Kingler is being pummeled by Hassam’s Bullet Punch. Tapping into Passion so as to give Kingler a fighting chance, Kingler begins blocking the strikes. Catching Hassam’s rhythm, Kingler turns the tables and tactfully places a Brick Break into Hassam’s knee cap! Ryuunosuke orders Hassam to use Cross Poison but Kingler replies with Protect. With his attack neutralized and another Brick Break to the knee Hassam backs off and then propels himself at full speed to hit his opponent with Bullet Punch and Steel Wing. Taking both attacks with his teeth gritted, Kingler grabs Hassam with a pincer and attempts to use Guillotine. Ryuunosuke and Hassam nearly wet themselves in fear but unfortunately the water-type is unable to find the right nerve and the move fails. Taking his reprieve, Hassam kicks himself free of Kinger’s grasp and fires a close-range Destruction Beam. Kingler flies through five floors of the building, surviving only thanks to a last-second use of Protect that did little else to reduce damage. Struggling to his feet, Kingler is met by Junko and Jack as they ascend through the offices.
•B Part: Feeling that Kingler is not yet dead, Akane swallows the massive lump in her throat and reaches for Rikkun’s Monster Ball. With blinding speed, Hassam appears before Akane, their faces mere inches from one another. Akane’s hand slips from the nerves and she accidentally taps a different Monster Ball’s button. Kabuto bursts from his Monster Ball to defend his trainer and slams into Hassam with an Aqua Jet. Skidding on the floor a few feet, Hassam slaps Kabuto away. Intrigued by such a rare Pokemon, Ryuunosuke considers stealing the Pokemon for the sake of the organization. Hassam and Kabuto battle at high-speeds using Bullet Punch and Aqua Jet. Akane orders Kabuto to be patient and blind Hassam with Sand Attack. Remembering his training, Kabuto works hard to not simply leap into the fray like he is so inclined to do. Meanwhile, Hassam does his best to avoid the sand being shot at his eyes but unfortunately trace amounts are slowly catching through the wind flow into his eyes. Zipping and zooming throughout the room the two Pokemon begin to make a real mess, bursting through and turning over cubicles, desks, computers, paperwork and chairs. Finally, Kabuto’s small frame gets stuck in a small bookcase in one of the cubicles. With his prey caught, Hassam uses Cross Poison but unfortunately for him what was really caught was…a shadow clone from Double Team? Turning too late to check his six, Hassam takes a full-power Metal Sound into his ears. Hassam cries bloody murder, disheveling even Akane. Not letting his opportunity go to waste, Kabuto regains his footing, inhales and then launches a Mud Shot so powerful it send Hassam flying through the ceiling to Floor #41. Running after his Pokemon, Ryuunosuke leaps up through the hole and pushes himself with impressive upper-arm strength to find his Pokemon’s steel-skin cracked as his solar plexus. Not wanting to see his Pokemon die, an uncharacteristically concerned Ryuunosuke returns Hassam to his Monster Ball. A moment later, Ryuunosuke leaps back down to Floor #40 but finds his prey missing. Akane, having grabbed Kabuto, has made it to Floor #41 and is already headed for the stares to Floor #42. Unleashing Bakphoon (the fully evolved fire-type Jouto starter), Ryuunosuke tells his old friend that it’s time for a hunt.
•Ending Credits:
•Dodrio comically complains to Junko about having to carry her, Jack and Kingler. Junko tells Dodrio “Stuff it, this is a war!”

Episode #29: “The Adjutant (Part 2)”
•Years prior a homeless, rail thin boy finds an injured Hino’arashi on the side of the road. Considering eating the Pokemon, the boy ultimately takes the Pokemon in when the fire-type cuddles up to him.
•Opening Credits:
•The boy and Hino’arashi steal food from a run-down supermarket in a run-down town. The owner sics passing police after the boy and the police give chase. Cornered, the boy begins to be beaten by the police. Hino’arashi evolves into a Magmarashi. Magmarashi burns the two police officers alive with Fire Pledge to save the boy. Staring into the Pokemon’s eyes, the boy realizes an unbreakable bond has been born.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Akane cleans her legs and shoes of the mud as best she can so that she cannot be followed. Kabuto is raring to go but Akane admonishes him and tells him to learn when to pick fights. Suddenly, a tornado of flames bursts up from the floor below. The fires dispel, revealing Ryuunosuke and his Bakphoon. “Oh, shit!” Akane squeaks out before grabbing Kabuto and leaping behind cubicles to hide. Suddenly, a Flame Wheel-using Bakphoon bursts through and flattens all of the cubicles on the floor. “Oh…shit,” Akane whispers, “Guess there’s no way you’ll just let me move on to save the president, huh?” Ryuunosuke shakes his head, “Negative.” Kabuto fires off a Water Gun but Bakphoon turns it into mere steam merely by exuding his heat. Akane gulps and scrambles for a plan, remembering first and foremost that the best way to eek through is to “Blind that motherfucker!” Kabuto spits sand at Bakphoon’s eyes but the heated air merely makes the sand lose pressure. “More power!” Kabuto tries again but before he can exhale Bakphoon appears before him in a flash and slams a Thunder Punch into the rock/water-type’s chest. The punch sends Kabuto flying into a copy room, leaving Akane relieved that he didn’t fly straight out of the building. Realizing that she’s facing down the fully evolved form of the Jouto Prefecture’s equivalent to Lizardon the Masara Town girl considers letting Rikkun duke it out but ultimately decides to conserve his strength for last. Reaching for Nidoking’s Monster Ball, Akane is surprised when a streak of blue slips past her and crashes head-first into the fire-type currently on all fours. Unwilling to let go, Kabuto begins to scratch curiously at his foe’s face, hoping to gouge out his eyes. Maintaining his cool, Bakphoon begins to headbutt the office wall in hopes of dismounting the nuisance on his face. Luckily, Kabuto’s hard surface dampens the impact and Kabuto is able to continue. “Scrappy little shit, ain’t he?” Akane boasts. Redwood’s confidence is soon replaced by fear when the fire-type Pokemon combines the strategies of using Flame Wheel with Headbutt. Surrounding the Pokemon in intense flames, Kabuto begins to feel as if he is being cooked alive, no matter how much he uses Harden to protect himself. Receiving flashbacks to the deaths of her previous Pokemon, Akane screams out for Kabuto to let go. Kabuto refuses and continues to scratch fearlessly. Finally, a burst of power from Akane’s Passion link mixes and churns with Kabuto’s own internal power and the rock/water-type Pokemon begins to glow a familiar blue energy. In a burst of light, despite being slammed into wall while being burned alive, Kabuto’s shell shatters and Kabutops crawls free. Using his longer, strong sickles, Kabutops gouges out Bakphoon’s right eye, sending the Pokemon shrieking in pain on his back. With immense rock-type elementary energy Akane and Kabutops deliver the finishing blow: Ancient Power! Unleashing a wave of brown energy from his body, Kabutops sends Bakphoon flying to the other end of the office. Just as Akane and Kabutops turn to climb the stairs the girl is shocked by a loud gunshot. A small hole, smoking, appears near the door to the staircase. “We’re not done here, girl,” Ryuunosuke orders, a smoking pistol in his hand.
•B Part: Akane struggles to swallow, petrified. Finally, the Masara Town native manages to reply, “Uh…guns are illegal in Japan, Onii-chan!” Ryuunosuke is not amused by the joke. Tossing a Hyper Potion to his Pokemon the Rocket Adjutant keeps his eyes and pistol locked on the girl. Bakphoon struggles to regain enough sense to apply the spray to his eye and the Pokemon’s breathing slowly steadies. “Shit, after all that work…” Kabutops springs into action and flies toward Ryuunosuke with a full-power Aqua Jet. The rock/water-type’s attempted crash is blocked by Bakphoon, whose sturdy body catches the torrent of water and barely manages to turn and twist his body to redirect his foe into the ground. Crashing through the ground to the floor below, Kabutops struggles to return to his feet due to a raging concussion. Similarly worse for wear, Bakphoon swings his body back upright to return his attention to Akane but is instead met with a Nidoking completely filling his vision. A shocked Bakphoon is body-slammed to the ground by a roaring Nidoking, punched and pummeled by his foe. Ryuunosuke notices a purple energy around Nidoking’s fists: “he’s using Poison Jab!” Ryuunosuke orders Bakphoon to use Flame Wheel and with all the attention he can muster the fire-type surrounds himself in a blaze, but it’s not strong enough to hurt the poison/ground-type Nidoking. The fires emitting from Bakphoon’s back are strong enough to melt the floor beneath the two Pokemon. Now, thanks to Nidoking’s weight, the two Pokemon begin crashing through floors. Both trainers rush to the holes and fire the retrieving beams from their Monster Balls, just in time to save the two monsters from crashing to the bottom floor and dying. Ryuunosuke considers switching to a different Pokemon but Bakphoon forces his way out of his Monster Ball to continue the battle. Akane unleashes Nidoking but before she can order a Water Pulse a shadow springs up from a hole behind Bakphoon: it’s Kabutops! Firing a point-black Water Gun at the fire-type’s back, Kabutops sends the unsuspecting Pokemon flying towards Nidoking. Taking his chance, Nidoking unleashes a powerful Mega Punch and sends the fire-type flying over Kabutops’ head and into the hands of his trainer. “That’s enough for you,” Ryuunosuke whispers, but the bruised and bloodied Bakphoon struggles free to continue its battle. “You damned fool!” Ryuunosuke chides the fire-type, “Fine, have it your way!” Summoning the rest of his strength, Bakphoon unleashes a full-power Fire Pledge that engulfs both Kabutops and Nidoking. The flames eventually clear but the two Pokemon are still standing. Ryuunosuke clenches his fists to the point that they bleed. Bakphoon unleashes another Fire Pledge but Kabutops, using Harden, tanks the attack for Nidoking’s sake. Now, unleashing a brown wave of energy from his body, Nidoking directs the surge of elementary energy toward the fire-type. The Adjutant recognizes the Earth Power technique and orders Bakphoon to dodge. The fire-type leaps down a hole to the floor below and then leaps back up from a different hole to slam a close-range Fire Pledge into the poison/ground-type Pokemon. Nidoking punches through the flames with Poison Jab and sends Bakphoon into the water. Akane, having returned the unconscious Kabutops to his Monster Ball, orders Nidoking to use Brick Break. Nidoking rushes forward and slams a powerful karate chop into the slow-moving Bakphoon’s chest, eliciting blood to power from the fire-type’s mouth. Still, Bakphoon unleashes another close-range Fire Pledge. Nidoking is burned by these flames at last but Ryuunosuke can tell that Bakphoon is suffering from the effects of poisoning from the Poison Jabs. Nidoking backs up enough to fire off a Water Pulse that he know he can’t be hit before he can launch the attack. Bakphoon barely rolls out of the way of the blast in time but slips when trying to run over to hit Nidoking with a close-range Fire Pledge. Finally, his body no longer responding, Bakphoon can only stare at his foe. Akane applies a Full Heal to Nidoking and tells Ryuunosuke that they’re leaving, “It’s over. You know that your Kailios can’t stop us, anyway. It was a nice fight.” Dropping down to cradle Bakphoon, Ryuunosuke agrees with the girl as she and returns her Nidoking to his Monster Ball and begins to ascend the stairs. Understanding that Fire Pledge is Bakphoon’s symbol of loyalty not to the Rocket Gang or the Boss but rather to Ryuunosuke, the boy sheds tears lit gold by the aura of their newly unearthed Passion link.
•Ending Credits:
•The boy and the Magmarashi drag themselves across the beach of the lake separating Enju City from eastern Jouto. The boy appears to be on his last legs. Finally, a man appears before him and offers him a hand, “I suppose there are many orphan children in the miserable Jouto Prefecture”. In the Jouto Prefecture taxes from Kantou’s government are structured to keep a large peasant-class of sorts. The old noble families are left be so as to run the government in the place of the Kantou Prefecture. It’s is a system built on corruption. The mysterious man introduces himself as Sakaki and asks the boy for his name as the runt chows down on room service at an Enju City hotel. The boy replies that he has no name, for he has abandoned it. Taken by the boy’s strong, proud eyes and his refined dialect despite his rough, experienced hands, Sakaki tells the boy that from now on his name will be Ryuunosuke, ‘the boy who slays dragons’. Ryuunosuke accepts Sakaki’s offer for a new life.

Episode #30: “Inspector Suzu’oki (Part 1)”
•Elsewhere, Inspector Suzu’oki fiddles through his pocket for his lighter as a rolling wheel of flame, the Inspector’s Windie, scorches across the floor of the Floor #55 meeting room. What appears to be the President of the Silph Company, sitting unperturbed in a chair at the head of the long meeting room table, watches as the fire-type engages in combat with his Matadogas. The President slides a lighter down the table to the other end. The Inspector takes a moment before finally accepting the lighter and using it to light his cigarette.
•Opening Credits:
•Suzu’oki slides the lighter back to its owner while pondering the integrity of the floor. The cramped room is quickly filling with puddles of poison much in thanks to Matadogas’s Sludge Bombs. With less and less room for his Windie to step the veteran trainer finds his options quickly going to the gutters. With a tongue flip of his cigarette Suzu’oki decides to take the plunge and orders Windie to use Heatwave.
•Title Card:
•A Part: The Floor #55 meeting room soon becomes a hotbox of toxic proportions. With bubbling puddles of poison filling the air the President of Silph Company quickly begins to sweat, both literally and figuratively. There’s no telling how much of Matadogas’ poison is toxic when superheated and inhaled. Matadogas begins to feel the harsh effects of the Heatwave, prompting it to use a Rain Dance and Thunder combo (the Rain Dance is restricted to a small cloud above Windie, so as to not harm The President). Matadogas coughs out a small, albeit expanding, cloud that begins pouring out rain. The Inspector curses his luck as his Windie receives the full brunt of a cramped quarters Thunder. After the attack subsides Windie does his best to shake it off, firing a Flamethrower at the Matadogas, but a swift use of Double Team nulls that comeback. Matadogas follows up with another rain-powered Thunder only to find the blast deflected against a furious aura of fire generated by Flame Wheel. Windie burns his fighting spirit with such intensity it melts the floor below it and allows him to drop through to the floor below. Inspector Suzu’oki grins at this and snaps his fingers. With the floor below now covering Windie from the rain the fire-type begins blasting through the floor. An unsuspected stream of fire bursts from below and knocks the levitating poison-type backward. The President quickly orders Matadogas to fire a Sludge Bomb through the hole made by the Flamethrower. Silence fills the conference room when nothing appears to come of Matadogas’s counterattack. With two holes in the floor the President is amused to find the puddles of sludge and poison dripping down below with Windie. A third hole in the floor bursts open, a torrent of flames nearly hitting Matadogas. The President, his face becoming suspiciously deformed in the heat, orders Matadogas to strengthen the Rain Dance. Soon enough puddles of water and poison fill the Floor #54 office Windie operates in. Realizing any second he will become the victim of a devastating blast of Thunder, Windie synchronizes his heart with Gorou’s and becomes engulfed in a brilliant golden fire. Leaping through the floor, Windie slams into Matadogas and sends it flying into the floor above. Shocked, the President slams his fist on his table before finding a drop of goop on his suit sleeve. Suddenly the President finds his face to be in terrible pain, a horrid burning sensation eating at his face. The panicking President tears through his suit pockets until he pulls out a small canister and sprays its contents on his face. After a moment the mist from the canister clears revealing the face of…Rocket Executive Lambda.
•B Part: The Rocket Executive spits residue from the spray and mask from his mouth. Windie dispels the Rain Dance with Sunny Day, a golden ball of energy resting near the ceiling of the office. The office quickly becomes humid, eliciting a neck tug from the suit-wearing Lambda. Matadogas returns, flying at full-speed to slam Sludge Bombs into Windie. Windie avoids the Sludge Bombs and slams his poison-type foe with an overwhelming Extreme Speed. Sent flying through the office wall, Matadogas whines in pain. Suzu’oki asks Lambda for the location of the real president but the seedy fellow cracks a grin and replies “Who knows?” Fed up with the games, Suzu’oki orders Windie to kill Lambda. Linking through Passion, Windie unleashes a devastating, golden Fire Blast. Seeing death before him, Lambda orders his Matadogas to Protect him. Leaping in front of the blast and using his Protect technique, Matadogas barely manages to protect his master. With a devilish grin Lambda orders his Matadogas to use Sludge Bomb on Suzu’oki. Without needing to be ordered, Windie appears before his trainer and lifts him to safety outside of the conference room. Just after letting Suzu’oki down Windie begins to experience labored breathing as the room fills with a poisonous gas. A Dogas appears from behind and slams into Windie so as to Self-Destruct at close-range. Suzu’oki is blown back by the blast, screaming for his Pokemon’s sake. Roaring in pain, Windie hacks and coughs as a Toxic lands into his agape mouth. Suzu’oki attempts to unleash another Pokemon but before he can do so another Dogas appears near him and explodes. Barely avoiding a fatal blast the inspector crawls away with only…a missing right hand. “Windie, don’t mind me!! Find the Monster Balls I dropped!” Both trainer and Pokemon struggle to calm their breathing and thinking but the injuries they’ve suffered—not to mention the poison gas filling the room—keep them unfocused. Suzu’oki wraps his coat around his severed arm and pops some painkillers. Cursing his hubris, Suzu’oki wish he’d thought to plant the rest of his team around floor for backup purposes. Meanwhile, Windie attempts to sniff out the location of the Monster Balls housing his comrades all while dodging Sludge Bombs from Matadogas and an unverifiable number of Dogas ducking-and-hiding within the cubicles. “Should’ve killed me when you had the chance, Mr. Inspector!” Lambda cackles through as gasmask, having doffed his suit jacket. Checking his revolvers bullets, Lambda smugly motions to a Dogas to use Self-Destruct on Windie. Distracted, the fire-type is only barely able to avoid the blast and loses fucking in his right hind leg. Walking through the cubicles, Lambda mocks and taunts Suzu’oki all while searching for the hiding inspector. Catching a trail of blood, Lambda slowly follows it to its source, all while pretending not to be aware of it. Motioning to one of his Dogas to follow the trail ahead of him, Lambda’s grin grows even more grotesque. Finally, Dogas turns a corner and explodes. Switching to a smug, exaggerated stride, Lambda turns that same corner but finds no Suzu’oki. “What the fuck?” Suddenly, like feeling a cold swear crawl up his spine, Lambda freezes in place as he feels a gun to the back of his head, “Won’t miss this time!” Inspector Suzu’oki pulls his trigger and the Rocket Executive falls to the ground. Meanwhile, Windie finally finds a Monster Ball dropped by his trainer and opens it. A mighty, proud Kamex springs forth and fires a powerful Hydro Pump at an approaching Dogas, instantly killing it under the water pressure. Suzu’oki stumbles over to his two Pokemon and thanks them for their help. The three begin searching for the rest of their team. Collecting their Monster Balls at last Suzu’oki applies a Hyper Potion to heal Windie’s injuries. Kamex tells Gorou that he needs to go to a hospital immediately but the inspector is a stubborn fool and decides to keep fighting, “Can’t let those kids get too scared,” he reasons. Suzu’oki returns Windie to his Monster Ball to rest. The Inspector and his Kamex begin to climb the stairs, blood following them like bread crumbs.
•Ending Credits:
•Meanwhile, a dark miasma surrounds Lambda’s corpse. Matadogas and the remaining two Dogas scurry away in fear of this evil miasma.

Episode #31: “Inspector Suzu’oki (Part 2)”
•A ten year old girl awaits her father on a snowy day in Isshu, peering out the window, with nothing but a Zenigame to comfort her. The girl’s mother approaches from the kitchen, dinner is ready. The girl reluctantly leaves the window, guided by her Zenigame.
•Opening Credits:
•As Suzu’oki climbs the stairs he finds his vision beginning to blur. Leaning against a wall, the inspector breaths heavily, “Fred, protect Yui.” Fred the Kamex turns back to scowl at his trainer, “Protect her yourself, you old bastard!” Suzu’oki laughs at the comment, “Freddy Junior misses you, I bet!” Fred grabs his trainer and pulls him up straight, “Give me one good reason I shouldn’t drag your ass back down stairs?” Suzu’oki provides “Well, the kids…” but his voice trails off as he passes out and falls down the stairs.
•Title Card:
•A Part: Suzu’oki reawakens in his bed, in his house…the house he left to his daughter and estranged wife back in Isshu. Struggling to get out of bed, Suzu’oki is then greeted by a torpedo of a ten year old leaping onto him, “Daddy, you’re awake!” The sensation, overwhelming all of his senses, of his daughter once again in his presence sends Suzu’oki for a trip. “Mommy made breakfast, come on!” Suzu’oki stumbles his way down stairs to find his estranged wife, and blonde American woman name Suzie. Suzie admonishes Yui for dragging her still-recovering father out of bed. Confused, Suzu’oki looks down at his still-missing right-hand, “My hand—but—wasn’t I still…?!” Suzie corrects her husband, “You’ve been home for three months, honey. I guess you’re still dreaming about it?” Returning his gaze to his wife, the woman he loved but continually abandoned, Suzu’oki struggled to form words, “Suzie, I—I’m so, so sorry!” Suzie shakes her head, “What did I tell you about that? Just count your blessings and sit down, Gorocchi!” Flashes of the first time Suzie called him that nickname flickered before him. Suzie was a Metamon specialist studying in Japan when they met as teenagers. She was so kind; Suzu’oki had never known how to act around her. She put him at ease and that scared him. The work he’d been doing for the Pokemon League at the time had already hurt him so deeply, it was difficult to be vulnerable. He’d spent over a decade of their life together leaving her behind to work.
•B Part: Suzu’oki is filled with pain upon realization that he had been asleep the entire time. Pulling his haggered, bloodied body off of the staircase, he and apologizes to Fred. Suzu’oki begins to climb the stairs again but slips down again. There’s no standing up this time. Fred admonishes his trainer for his stubbornness. Suddenly, a dark shadow darkens the doorway to the stairwell. Somehow, the corpse of Lambda is standing. Locking his canons on the dark being Fred prepares to fire. Suddenly, a blast of dark energy bursts from the corpse’s mouth and sends Fred through the building wall and crashing onto a nearby, shorter building. Realizing he’s at his wits end, Suzu’oki finds the strength to pick himself up off the floor and begins a struggle with the corpse. Wearing and unable to think straight, Suzu’oki manages to toss the corpse out of the hole in the way. The corpse hits the pavement below and turns into mush much to the disgust of the League agents and police surrounding the building. Suzu’oki falls back-first against the wall to the left of the hole and slowly slides onto his rear. Finally, Akane reaches the stairwell and is overwhelmed with emotion at the sight of the dying Suzu’oki. Fred propels himself back through the hole thanks to Rapid Spin to console the weeping Akane. “He fought well,” he explains. With the last of his strength the good inspector gives his soldier a wry grin and then his breathing stops. Akane struggles to close the inspector’s eyes and then falls back to have a good cry.
•Ending Credits:
•Sensing something amiss, Yui breaks down crying mid-bite of her dinner.

Episode #32: “Boss Sakaki (Part 1)”
•A man clad in black cuts the fingers off of the Silph Company president. “Care to tell me the combination to the safe, Mister President?” Defiant, the president tells the man to go fuck himself. Turning to his men, a group of Rocket Gang hackers typing away on computers, the man in black asks “Any progress?” The lead hacker turns to the man in black and replies “Could be another ten minutes, Boss.” Nonplussed, the Boss turns back to the president, sighs, and prepares to cut off another finger. Suddenly, a storm of fire bursts through the doors of the main laboratory. A girl clad in a red and white jacket over a solid black dress divided by a cutesy belt and a messenger bag appears before the Boss. Recognizing the contours of makeup on her face, the Boss has himself a small chuckle before unveiling a Safari Ball from the inside of his jacket.
•Opening Credits:
•Minutes earlier, Akane asks Fred what he’s going to do now. Fred explains that he and his five comrades will watch over Suzu’oki’s body. Akane clarifies, asking what becomes of Pokemon who outlive their trainers. Fred mentions that he’ll be going to look after Gorou-chan’s daughter and his son but he isn’t sure what the others want to do with their lives. Considering how things would be for her, Akane wonders what Rikkun and the others would do if she ever died. Her mother had plenty of powerful Pokemon of her own to look after her, not to mention whatever Pokemon John Junior kept at home. Would they just…return to the wild? Akane continues to sit, deep in thought, staring at the fallen veteran before her.
•Title Card:
•A Part: The Boss unleashes a Garura to face Rikkun and tells his hacking team to continue to work on cracking the lock to the laboratory. Akane asks the Boss just who the hell he thinks he is. Straightening his posture, the Boss says that he’s just a mere criminal mastermind. Upon closer inspection Akane realizes that she recognizes the Boss of the Rocket Gang…he’s Sakaki, the Tokiwa Gym League! Shocked that the Tokiwa Gym Leader is the leader of the Rocket Gang the young woman demands to know what the hell the matter with him is. Rolling his eyes, Sakaki replies with a hell of a cadence: “I’m trying to steal super advanced technology, stupid. Why else would I raid the Silph Company with a hundred gang members?” Frustrated by his flippant attitude, Akane decides to resort to disable him first and ask questions later. “Rikkun, Flamethrower!” A fiery stream breaks out of Lizardon’s mouth and heads straight for Garura. The normal-type Pokemon merely replies with a Water Pulse, which causes a powerful explosion of steam to obscure the Rockets. Rikkun the Lizardon blows away the steam with his wings but is confronted by Garura charging towards the fire/flying-type and slamming him into the ground with a Body Slam. Once atop her foe the normal-type begins to pummel him with Mega Punch and Mega Kicks. Barely managing to catch her fists, Lizardon throws the Garura back, showcasing impressive strength. Baring his claws, Lizardon uses Slash but to protect the baby within her pouch the mother Pokemon uses Sucker Punch to stum Lizardon’s solar plexus. Completely caught off guard, Rikkun collapses. Akane considers running to Rikkun’s side but the Lizardon wards her off with a wave. Struggling to his feet, Lizardon begins channeling fire-type elemental energy throughout his body. Realizing his next move without words, Akane decides to trust in Rikkun. Leaping forward, Akane’s Lizardon—the usually goofy Rikkun—wears a fierce face as he slams his body into Garura to throw her off balance. Garura sustains the attack, leg strength so mighty she doesn’t even skid backward. Kicking off of the Pokemon to put some distance between the two, Rikkun fires off a Blast Burn at close-range. Using Giga Impact, the mother breaks through the Blast Burn and slams Rikkun back onto his back before engaging in another round of Mega Punch pummeling. Sakaki laughs at Akane, revealing that Garura is his strongest Pokemon and one he has been training for five years. “She’s familiar with fire-type attacks, little girl!” Realizing that Rikkun is in a pickle, Akane initiates Passion to break him out. Sakaki’s grin turns to a grimace upon sight of the trainer and Pokemon becoming surrounded in a golden aura. With a piece Brick Break, Lizardon kidney chops Garura which stuns her long enough for him to crawl away. Taking flight, Lizardon dives in quickly for Tsubame Gaeshi and slams his right wing into the normal-type Pokemon’s face. Garura rolls backward, holding her child in place to protect her. Clicking her tongue in frustration, Akane tells Sakaki to remove the child from the battlefield, “It’s just a baby!” Sakaki laughs, “I don’t think I will!” More than a little miffed by the absurd cruelty, Akane orders Rikkun to remove the baby from her pouch. Rikkun gets in close but is taken aback when the baby leaps out of her mother’s pouch and uses Sucker Punch on the fire-type’s already-bruised solar plexus. Akane can’t believe it; the baby can also fight back?!
•B Part: Rikkun stumbles back, struggling to catch his breath. Taking the perfect opportunity, Garura fires off a Water Pulse. The pulse covers the fire-type’s head little a paperback. Already hard up for oxygen the Lizardon begins to thrash about trying to tear the water away from his face. Without words, Lizardon picks up an idea from his trainer and transfers his fire energy to his tail to strengthen the fire. Rikkun’s tail flame grows massive and with some angling the suffocation Lizardon manages to evaporate the flame. Just in time to be free of the water mask prison, Rikkun is struck by a powerful Thunderbolt from Garura, sending him crashing to his hands and knees. Akane returns Rikkun to his Monster Ball to rest and switches out for Kentauros. Sakaki laughs at this, “Oh? I suppose this isn’t really a pride battle in the first place. There’s no pride in a battle you’re going to lose.” Garura fires off a powerful Thunderbolt but Kentauros counters with a Thunder which is able to break through and slam into the stoic normal-type. Breaking into a mad dash, Kentaurous slams a Horn Attack into…Garura’s Protect shield! Bouncing back, Kentauros follows his failed attack with Fire Blast but Garura punches through the fire and lands a heavy Brick Break directly on Kentauros’ head. Not to be taken lightly, Kentauros matches the Brick Break at the exact moment of impact with a Zen Headbutt. The psychic-type energy pouring from Kentauros’ forehead breaks back the fighting-type elemental energy infused into the Garura’s hand and starveling up the nerves of the normal-type Pokemon until it reaches her mind and explodes. Knocked back by the unexpected attack, Garura roars in pain. Gritting his teeth, Sakaki orders Garura to calm herself and hit back with Mega Punch. Garura does so but is met with another Zen Headbutt. This continues for a dozen strikes, continually resulting in stalemates or noticeable damage to Garura. Having no more of this nonsense, Sakaki orders Garura to use Giga Impact. Filling her whole body with a massive amount of normal-type energy, Garura slams into and past Kentauros’ Zen Headbutt, slamming him into and through the floor to the floor below. As the two heavily Pokemon continue falling through floors both trainers recall the Pokemon with their Safari Balls to safety. Sakaki re-releases Garura but Akane struggles to decide what move to make next. Finally, Sakaki turns back to his leader hacker, “Well?” Smugly grinning at his skill the hacker replies “Got it!” Suddenly, the laboratory door opens revealing…a production line for creating Master Balls. The President shouts “No, stop!!” only to be repaid in kind by a gunshot to his shoulder by Sakaki. Akane attempts to rush to the president’s side but is blocked by Garura. Entering the lab, Sakaki grins wildly and devilishly, “At long last…the tools for my conquest!” Akane summons Kentauros to deal with Garura again and the two Pokemon begin to trade Body Slams. With the enemy distracted, Akane runs to the president’s side and begins to apply pressure to his wounded shoulder. “What the hell does he want with those things?” she asks. The president explains that he’s after the new Master Ball he developed, a new type of Monster Ball that captures a Pokemon with perfect completion rates, even if it hasn’t been weakened. Akane is shocked by this news, “If he takes that technology for himself he can build a large army quickly! I had a change of heart so I planned on scrapping the entire project and new releasing any but someone must have leaked their existence!” Meanwhile, Sakaki marvels at the Master Balls. Only six have been finished but with his team trying to hack into the Silph Company server he’d soon have the knowledge to create Master Balls on his own. Akane unleashes Lizardon and the duo dashes past the colliding Kentauros and Garura to confront the Rockets in the lab. Akane asks Sakaki what he plans to do but Sakaki laughs, “After I kill you and the president I’ll return to hiding. While playing the role of gym leader I’ll be modifying the Master Ball technology…to be able to steal other trainers’ Pokemon!” This notion shocks Akane: capturing other trainers’ Pokemon has been thought impossible since the invention of the Monster Ball! Gripping her fist as she recalls what Inspector Suzu’oki died fighting for, Akane decides to burn it all down. Akane orders Lizardon to melt the entire lab with Flamethrower. Shocked by this, Sakaki summons a Nidoking, Nidoqueen and Saidon, “You’ll kill yourself just to stop me, huh?!” The three Pokemon unleash Thunderbolt but Rikkun the Lizardon gracefully evades while pouring fire all over the lab. The Rockets begin to get antsy and distracted by the fire, dancing around it so as to not get hot. Helping the president to his feet, Akane orders Kentauros to use Giga Impact on the wall. Kentauros breaks from his duel with Garura, slamming her to the ground and then slams a hole into the wall. Meanwhile, Rikkun hides among the smoke and flames while Sakaki’s Horned Trio tries to find him. Rikkun sneaks his way to Akane and lets her and the president onto his back. Kentauros fires off one last Fire Blast at the charging Garura before Akane returns him to his Safari Ball. Lizardon takes off into the sky, flying down his passengers to the police station. Sakaki, meanwhile, scowls a furious scowl.
•Ending Credits:
•Junko, Jack, Dodrio and Akane’s Kingler come across Fred the Kamex and Inspector Suzu’oki’s other Pokemon crying over his corpse.

Episode #33: “Boss Sakaki (Part 2)”
•A fifteen year old boy with long jet black hair accepts his first Pokemon from the Pokemon League: a Hitokage. The long-haired boy asks his Hitokage if he wants to become the strongest with him and the Hitokage nods.
•Opening Credits:
•Some time passes, the long-haired boy and his Hitokage are in a forest somewhere. The sun is rising and the Hitokage is running drills. The long-haired boy takes a dose of a medicine. Just as he finishes a trainer appears, calls the long-haired boy the wrong gender and then challenges him to a battle.
•Title Card:
•A Part: The long-haired boy and his Hitokage outsmart the trainer and his Spear, winning their match and collecting their money. At nightfall, Hitokage asks his trainer what he wants to do in the future. The long-haired boy responds: “Become the strongest, the most acknowledged trainer.” The long-haired boy returns to typing away on a laptop.
•B Part:
•Ending Credits:
•The long-haired man cuts off his hair: he is Sakaki.

Episode #34: “Boss Sakaki (Part 3)”
•Jack and Junko appear to help defeat Boss Sakaki. Dark Mega Garura is defeated by their combined Passion-fueled Blast Burn, Frenzy Plant and Hydro Cannon attacks.
•Opening Credits:
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•Title Card:
•A Part:
•B Part:
•Ending Credits:
•

Episode #35: “Boss Sakaki (Part 4)”
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•Opening Credits:
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•Title Card:
•A Part:
•B Part:
•Ending Credits:
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Episode #36: “A Familiar Bed”
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Episode #37: “”
•At the remains of the Sevii Islands Rocket Mafia base Kikuko and Shiba of the Kantou Shiten’ou investigate the experiments committed by the various Rocket scientists. True to their nature as two of the mightiest Pokemon Trainers in Kantou, Shiba and Kikuko investigate thoroughly. To her horror, Kikuko discovers the data on the creation of Mewtwo. The two kings concur that the League must be contacted about this immediately.
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•At the Sekiei Plateau, home to the Kantou Pokemon League Office, Wataru discusses their options with the Kantou Governor. The Governor wants to keep the news of Rocket’s experiments in-house, lest the press or Prime Minister of Japan get wind of things and embarrass him. Wataru is not too keen on sweeping the investigation under the rug, especially with regards to the President of the Japanese Pokemon League (JPL), whom Wataru reports to.
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•A Part: Matis recruits Akane Redwood, giving her the commission under his command as an ensign and special agent for the Kantou Pokemon League. Mewtwo assaults the capital city, the Sekiei Plateau, sealing the city in a psychic barrier. The Four Heavenly Kings, spread across the prefecture on business, quickly return to the city, but are unable to enter. A military camp sets up outside the barrier, but Mewtwo’s army of cloned Pokemon from the Rocket Gang labs destroy the camp and forces the military further back. Wataru receives a video call from the prime minister telling him under no circumstances is this coup to get out to the general public. Wataru curses his luck, as if the pain-in-the-ass governor wasn’t annoying enough, now he has the prime minister trying to keep up appearances while relations with the colonies to the west are still hostile. Mewtwo, holding the Kantou governor hostage, uses him to control the military.
•B Part: Beaten, Akane, Jack, and Junko fall back. Mewtwo contacts the mayors of the major Kantou cities, informing them that he is now in control of the prefecture. Jonathan Redwood II (John Junior the ‘General’) returns to Kantou from an away mission after being requested to by the prime minister. John Junior is shocked to learn about his daughter’s transition after walking in on her accepting the commission from Matis. Akane tries to explain but she is met with a cold shoulder as John Junior turns to Matis to discuss their next move.
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Episode #38: “”
• Matis and his fleet attack Asagi City by sea. Katsura burns across Enju City. Takeshi bulldozes through Kikyou City. Kasumi floods Hiwada Town. Kyou and his shinobi corps sabotage Kogane City. Erika poisons the lone Tanba City.
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•Back in Kantou, Natsume reveals even though she is still recovering from her illness her mind was too strong, or perhaps her body too weak, to be controlled by Mewtwo. Natsume begins to teach Akane, Jack, and Junko ways to overcome psychic-type techniques so that they can remain in control during the rematch with Mewtwo.
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•A Part: Takeshi versus Hayato. Kasumi versus Tsukushi. Kyou versus Akane. Katsura versus Matsuba. Erika versus Shijima. Matis versus Mikan. Six battles rage across Jouto.
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