The New Poke-Amph!

Episode 076: Freind and Foe Alike

Ash has just found out that he must fight Richie in the fifth round, and he's not sure he can win, especially since Richie has won all his matches without losing a single Pokémon. Richie talks to Ash about the match and they both promise to make it their greatest battle ever. Later on, as Ash and the others relax in the village cabin, the phone rings and Misty answers it to hear Richie on the other end. Richie is very rude to Misty and asks Ash to meet him. Unbeknowest to Ash, Richie isn't the one calling, it's Jessie! When Ash arrives at the metting spot, Team Rocket snatches Ash and Pikachu and throws them into the back of a truck. Ash uses Squirtle to flood the truck and break open the doors. They escape and hop on a bike and speed off toward the stadium. Meanwhile, back at the Stadium, Ash and Richie's battle is scheduled to begin, but Ash hasn't showed up. Misty confronts Richie and accuses him of tricking Ash, but Richie tells Misty he never made a phone call. Ash is still racing towards the League Village, but Team Rocket appears once again in their balloon. With a Thundershock by Pikachu, Ash sends Team Rocket on their way and uses Pideotto and their balloon to get to Indigo Stadium, just in time to; the League was about to declare Richie the winner by default. Ash arrives and the battle begins. Richie's Butterfree and Ash's Bulbasaur duke it out, then Charmander and Pikachu fight. Pikachu is knocked out by Richie's Charmander. Ash, desparate, calls upon Charizard to fight, while Richie calls back his Charmander and releases Sparky, his Pikachu! However, Charizard has no interest in fighting a puny Pikachu and refuses to battle! Ash loses his battle, but he congratulates Richie for the win.