Episode list

Ash and the gang find a nice place to relax. Ash's new Pokemon, Chimchar, was all new to this special treatment, ever since Paul made its training very rigorous. In order for Chimchar to adapt to its new surroundings, Ash lets it have a battle against Dawn's Piplup. Later in the episode, wild Zangoose appear and battle against Chimchar. Will Chimchar be able to defeat these Pokemon or will it stay frightened?

Ash and the gang arrive at a town where they meet Gardenia, who is promoting Pokemon battles with many kids. Team Rocket then appears just to see Gardenia rushing to them as she sees Cacnea. She then had a thought of having a double battle with James against Ash and Dawn, who happily accept. Ash uses Aipom, Dawn uses Buneary, Gardenia uses Turtwig, and James uses Cacnea. While battling, Gardenia realizes that Cacnea has more potential and it can use the move Drain Punch. When James commands it to use that move, it shows a devastating blow towards Aipom. Gardenia then gets another idea of giving Cacnea to her as a sign that she can train it to be stronger. Will James finally realize that Cacnea needs a new trainer or will he just teach the move to Cacnea on his own?

Still journeying towards Solaceon City and Dawn's third Pokemon Contest, the gang stops at a Pokemon Center and meet up with Zoey. Zoey realizes that Aipom and Buizel need to be given to their appropriate trainers. Ash and Dawn need some time to think about this. Will they trade Aipom and Buizel to each other or will everything turn out for the worst?

Ash and Dawn decide to use their new Pokémon.

As Ash and friends continue their journey to Solaceon Town, they come across a possible shortcut over a river, which, upon closer examination, turns out to be an unfinished stone bridge. And when Brock spies a pretty young woman named Isis in what he assumes is danger, he rushes to help her, but finds out she is speaking with the head engineer and town mayor about the 3 day deadline to complete construction. It is later learned that the original master stonecutter had left his job because of a bad back, and now she has been given the job of master stonecutter! The head engineer is angrily warning that the bridge has to be done on time or his reputation would be ruined. But we soon learn that the Bibarel in charge of cutting the stone is sleeping on the job - a result of its teacher, the master stonecutter with the supposed bad back, leaving. Our Heroes offer their assistance in helping to finish the job, but without precise stonecutting it is impossible. Meanwhile, Team Rocket has their eyes on stealing Bibarel, and along with capturing the 4 Machamp and Machoke construction workers, appears to have succeeded, until Bibarel has had enough and gnaws through their cage, sending the hapless trio blasting off again. But Bibarel is still unwilling to do its job, until the master stonecutter reappears and informs everyone that the head engineer's blueprints were faulty, banishing the selfish boss from the construction project. And with our Heroes' help, a very happy Bibarel is back on the job, and the bridge is miraculously constructed on time!

As our Heroes continue on their way to Solaceon Town, we join Ash and his new friend Alan in the middle of a Pokémon Battle. Ash seems to have found a kindred spirit in Alan: feisty, and brimming with they both call "burning spirit"! But, right in the middle of their battle, Alan's Probopass (which has just evolved from Nosepass) has just become the latest target of none other than Team Rocket, who attaches an antenna to Probopass' head, forcing it to attack its own trainer! It turns out their evil plot involves attaching antennae to as many Probopass as they can, and catching them all, of course. Of course, Alan and our Heroes have other ideas, and after much fierce battling and incredible tenacity, Alan frees his beloved Probopass from the antenna, leaving them all to make quick work of Team Rocket and sending them blasting off again - twice! Having had their battle interrupted several times, we leave Ash and his new friend in the heat of battle, as they revel in the camaraderie and "heat" of their friendship, as well as their "burning spirit".

Ash and friends team up with a girl and her disobedient and aggressive Luxray to take back a valuable charm from the bandits that stole it when Luxray and Pikachu end up falling into dangerous traps.

The gang meet up with Kenny when he and Ash battle. Team Rockets' rivals show up to steal a valuable artifact, confuse the Unowns who attack everyone else out of confusion and anger while they escape. During a battle one Pokemon evolves.

Dawn, Jessie and Kenny compete in the Solaceon Pokemon Contest. They're all confident in their Pokemon and performances however only 1 ribbon will be presented. Who will be the winner?

Brock leads the gang to a nearby Maid Cafe that serves Miltank milk. Brock helps Miltank and her trainer build a bond, Ash trains with Turtwig and Dawn tries to decide what she should do next. Before long Team Rocket try to steal Miltank.

The gang stop at the Hot Spring Hotel that one of Dawn's kindergarten friends' family runs however the hot spring has mysteriously stopped flowing. The gang help investigate why.

While helping Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny return some Pokemon back to the forest Ash and friends have to try to overcome the wind, a run in with Paul and Team Rocket. Can they save the Pokemon stuck in the city?

The gang reach the sand and all the Pokemon come out to play however a large sand loving Pokemon is taken by surprise and the gang spends the rest of the day trying to save one of Dawn's Pokemon. They meet a old Pokemon buddy too.

Shortly after arriving in Veilstone City, our Heroes are shocked and awed to come across a Lucario, training intensely with who turns out to be the Veilstone Gym leader, Maylene. However, it turns out that Maylene was soundly defeated earlier on by none other than Ash's rival Paul, and she is now reluctant to continue being the Veilstone Gym leader. Meanwhile, who should appear but a very familiar - looking Electabuzz, which starts all sorts of commotion and infighting with our Heroes' Pokémon. Lucario soon quiets the disturbance, but who should then appear but Paul's older brother Reggie! Reggie further explains Maylene's humiliating Gym battle experience with Paul. And after Maylene runs off in an emotional state, Dawn follows, explaining to her how she is feeling unsure of her future as well. Upon agreeing to have a battle together soon, the two new friends return to find Reggie and Ash preparing to have a three - on - three battle of their own. Impressed with Ash's abilities and Pokémon, Reggie battles hard, but Ash emerges the winner. However, when Reggie suggests that Maylene battle Ash, Dawn firmly interrupts and announces that SHE will have the next battle with Maylene, thus announcing her intention to now pursue Pokémon battles! We leave our Heroes in surprised anticipation of what is to come.

To regain both of their confidences, Dawn and Maylene have a battle with each other.

After both Dawn and Maylene regain their confidences, it is time for Ash's third gym battle. Ash battles with Staravia, Chimchar, and Buizel while Maylene uses Machoke, Meditite, and Lucario. Staravia took down Machoke with Aerial Ace and Meditite with Brave Bird. Lucario takes both Staravia and Chimchar down. Lucario and Buizel battle in the final round. Seeing that both Pokemon are giving it their all, who will emerge victorious?

The night before our Heroes are to leave Veilstone City for Ash's next Gym battle challenge which is to be in Pastoria City, who should appear but the evil Team Galactic, continuing to pursue what they describe as their plan for the "new world". It involves stealing the many meteorites surrounding Veilstone City, which is exactly what Ash and friends witness! With the arrival of Officer Jenny, everyone springs into action - Reggie and his brother Paul's Electabuzz, our Heroes and their Pokémon, and Maylene and Lucario. Combining their attacks, they are able to sever the cables that have attached the meteorites to Team Galactica's helicopters, thwarting their fiendish thieving attempts, although Saturn and company manage to get away. With the meteorites safely returned to their spots, our Heroes bid a fond farewell to Reggie, Maylene and their Pokémon, as they set their sights on Pastoria City!

On their way to Pastoria City, our heroes meet a Pokémon magician with a trio of singing Chingling that have caught Team Rocket's eye.

A very special Riolu encounters with Ash and his friends while trying to escape the hands of Pokémon Hunter J, and, with the help of Pokémon Ranger Kellyn, they try to protect the hurt Pokemon from being captured again.

We rejoin our story just as the evil Pokémon Hunter J has stolen Riolu, in order to sell it to her latest client. However, Top Pokémon Ranger Kellyn has captured 3 Blastoise, and their combined Rain Dance moves put out a raging forest wildfire, saving the numerous scared resident Pokémon. Meanwhile, Hunter J has delivered the frozen Riolu to her client, although our Heroes are hot on their trail and ambush them just as the transaction takes place. Some fierce battling ensues, but since Hunter J has already been paid by her client, she and her henchmen escape, leaving Riolu's new "owner" to deal with our Heroes and Kellyn as well. The client and his assistants have some powerful Pokémon indeed, but at the end of the day they are no match for Ash and friends, and Riolu is rescued and safely returned to its kingdom and its grateful citizens.

Jessie's Dustox falls in love with another.

Ash and Pikachu encounter a trainer who wants to have all the evolutionary forms of a pikachu. He challenges them to a battle. Pikachu's no match for the trainer richu. Ash and Pikachu want a re-match. Ash breaks out the Thunderstone he got back in the Indigo league, will Pikachu evolve for the re-match?

Stopping at a Pokémon Center for a rest on their way to Pastoria City, our Heroes, watching some T.V., learn that Pokémon Contest Master Wallace is soon to be bringing the Contest named after him, The Wallace Cup, to Lake Valor! Dawn is well - aware of Wallace and his reputation as a great Coordinator, and when they run into their old friend Rhonda from the T.V. show Sinnoh Now looking for Wallace in the forest on his one day off from a grueling publicity schedule, Dawn expresses her fervent desire to meet him too. Ash and Brock agree to help Dawn do just that, and when Piplup notices a strange fog in the forest, who should be relaxing there but Wallace and his magnificent Milotic! Greetings are exchanged, and Wallace graciously offers to watch Dawn and Ash in Contest Battle action once he's learned that Dawn is a Coordinator who plans on entering the Wallace Cup. Impressed with Ash's Buizel (who was once Dawn's Pokémon), Wallace suggests Ash and Buizel enter the Contest as well. Wallace also suggests that although Dawn and Piplup are thoroughly trained, they would both benefit from a little relaxation, and Dawn might want to find some time to play with her Pokémon. Meanwhile, Team Rocket's Jessilina (Jessie in disguise) has plans to enter The Wallace Cup as well, but her overt "social skills" are a bit much, and James and Meowth (also in disguise) end up pulling her away from Wallace in an attempt to 'save' her from herself. In gratitude for an enjoyable day, Wallace and Milotic perform for everyone, much to their delight. Bidding our Heroes goodbye, Wallace takes his leave, and Ash and friends end up back at the Pokémon Center, where Ash receives a mysterious message to call the Pokémon Center in Snowpoint City - a message from none other than their old friend MAY!

As they prepare for the Wallace Cup, our heroes meet someone else who's getting ready for the same event: Ash and Brock's friend May, from the Hoenn region.

It's the first stage of the Wallace Cup, and Ash, May, Dawn, and Zoey are all competing. Can all four of them make it to the next round?

While Dawn, May, Ash and Zoey head into the second stage at the Wallace Cup, Dawn is up first, as she begins to regain some of the confidence she had struggled with for awhile now. Which obviously is working, because along with her Buneary she WINS! Next up is Ash, again partnering with his Buizel. But, although launching an unusual and powerful Ice Aqua Jet (invented by Dawn), Kyle and his amazing Lanturn prove too much and Ash is defeated, while that Ice Aqua Jet becomes the talk of the Contest! As the second round continues, Zoey and May both get their victories as well, leaving Dawn with the daunting prospect that should she win and go on to the finals, she will be facing one of her two dear friends! Laughter and good - natured ribbing abounds at the thought of it, but - as Dawn faces Kyle, the question remains: who will Dawn face for the finals, should she defeat Kyle? May...or Zoey?!

After Kyle and Lanturn defeat Ash and Buizel, we find Kyle teamed up with his Crawdaunt and facing off against Dawn and Piplup, to see who will move on to the semifinals - while May and Zoey wait for their semifinal battle. When Dawn is ultimately successful, she finds herself facing May for the finals, after May defeats Zoey in a real point squeaker, determined by the clock. Vowing to have 'no hard feelings no matter who wins', Dawn once again teams up with Piplup, while May calls upon her powerful Glaceon to battle. The fierce attacks fly back and forth, while Ash, Brock and Zoey marvel at the abilities of both Coordinators to use moves that are powerful, yet truly show off their Pokémon - while at the same time May and Dawn marvel at each other's work admiringly. With points almost equal, the battling chases down the clock, until time is up. But who should end up winning the prestigious Aqua Ribbon in a super - close finish, but DAWN! Happy to have seen everyone once again, May leaves the Sinnoh region, vowing to be the winner the next time she and Dawn have a battle. And our Heroes continue on their quests: Ash to join the Sinnoh League, and a revitalized Dawn to become TOP Contest Coordinator!

As our Heroes make their way to Pastoria City, and while Dawn continues to marvel at her 2nd Pokémon Contest victory, they suddenly come across a Yanma, pursued by a beginning trainer named Tyler. Along with his Piplup named Pippy, Tyler has been trying to secure his first Pokémon catch for three days, but to no avail. Remembering what it was like to catch their 1st Pokémon, our Heroes volunteer to help Tyler in his quest. But just as he's 1 step away from being successful, who should step in and grab the Yanma but Jessie, and Team Rocket! Thrilled with their success, they decide right away to send it to the Boss, thinking that will secure Giovanni's admiration. But Giovanni sends the Yanma BACK to T.R., although they think it's because the Boss is just being generous. Soon Tyler and our Heroes decide the only thing to do is for Tyler to capture a different Pokémon, and right away another Yanma appears! But as they close in on another capture, Team Rocket appears yet again, as they've decided to capture another Yanma in the same lazy, crooked way as before, to send to the Boss. Suddenly the 1st Yanma evolves into a Yanmega, and some fierce battling ensues. But our Heroes emerge victorious, and Team Rocket is sent blasting off again - this time with Jessie's Yanmega as the newest member of the Team Rocket family. Again, Tyler attempts to capture the 2nd Yanma, and after 2 attempts which include some action - packed battling on Tyler and Pippy's parts, they are finally successful. Thanking them for all their help, Tyler, Pippy and Yanma head off to Lake Valor, as Ash and friends continue on to Pastoria City, happy they were able to help a brand new trainer realize his dream.

As our Heroes continue on their Sinnoh region journey with Pastoria City as their next stop, it becomes obvious that Ash's Gligar can't WAIT to have its first battle. But Ash insists Gligar's not ready yet, and to practice more first. That's when Brock offers to do just that with Gligar. A battle begins, when suddenly Gligar is carried away on a strong wind, landing right in front of none other than Paul! When Ash finally finds Paul and Gligar, the fighting between the two rivaling trainers starts all over again, culminating in Ash challenging Paul to a battle right then and there. At first there is no response from Paul, until Chimchar (who of course Paul once trained) insists they battle. Intrigued, Paul agrees, and Ash's choice for his first Pokémon battle partner is the highly motivated but inexperienced Gligar, who is defeated after one hit from Paul's powerful Gliscor. Next up is Paul's Ursaring, and Chimchar's insistence brings it up to be Ash's next battle partner. But Ursaring's Secret Power causes Chimchar to be filled with fear, and it appears all is lost for the little Fire - type, until the same power that Paul had previously been unable to awaken in Chimchar before now explodes with a VENGEANCE, and Ursaring is roundly defeated. However, Chimchar now seems demonically possessed, and it takes every ounce of strength Ash can muster to get Chimchar to calm down after winning. Defeated, Paul leaves, leaving Ash and Chimchar vowing to train harder than ever, and someday win the entire Sinnoh League!

Ash and friends have arrived in Pastoria City, and they immediately come upon Crasher Wake, the Pastoria City Gym Leader! Ash immediately challenges Crasher to a Gym Battle, but Wake cryptically says he has "urgent business to attend to" at that moment. However, Wake invites our Heroes to come along with him, and they find themselves first frantically following Wake onto a train, and then surrounded by a mammoth crowd of Croagunk! It turns out that the night of the annual Pastoria Great Marsh Croagunk Festival is upon them. This is when the townspeople honor the Croagunk they have raised with a competition - capped off with the winning Croagunk receiving a Diamond and Pearl - studded crown! Brock decides to enter HIS Croagunk, as does Team Rocket - using a Croagunk - disguised Meowth for their entry. They also discover that the finalist will go up against the previous year's winner - a Croagunk named Craig, along with Craig's proud trainer Hamilton. Hamilton, who has been trying to get Nurse Joy's Croagunk named Chrissy to marry Craig, will not take no for an answer, so Brock valiantly vows that HIS Croagunk will win this year's competition and save Chrissy from the unwanted matrimony. But after Meowth loses the second round, Team Rocket finally decides to simply steal the many Croagunk in Pastoria City, and although Brock's Croagunk battles against Craig in the finals, Chrissy comes to the rescue with some amazing moves and sets all the town's Croagunk free! All agree that Chrissy should be this year's winner, and Wake also agrees to battle Ash the following morning, leaving everyone to enjoy the rest of the evening's festivities.

Ash begins his fourth gym battle against water type gym leader "Crasher" Wake.

The adventurers are invited to take refuge from the weather at the Mansion of Mr. Backlot. They encounter a wild Swinub who helps them when Team Rocket takes everyone's Pokemon.

Ash and company return to Heart Home City in hopes of meeting the Gym Leader. But the Gym leader is still out. The Gym Leader's friend, Paris, a renowned Poke-stylist convinces Ash and Dawn to enter a Pokemon Fashion Contest.

Ash and company encounter a trio of Psyducks in a narrow pass. The Psyducks won't allow anyone through. With only a few days to Dawn's contest, they cannot detour, so they must find out why the Psyducks are guarding the passage way.

Ash, Brock and Dawn are invited to a Pokemon Summer Academy by Professor Owen. They're given Pokemon to train during their time at camp, they also encounter other trainers.

Day Three at Pokémon Summer Camp, everyone is to observe Water Pokémon in the lake for a report. When one of their Pokémon wanders off, Ash and friends follow the wayward Pokémon and discover a mysterious Pokémon in a cave.

Summer camp continues. Everyone learns how to approach Ghost Pokemon. They encounter several ghost Pokemon, including one who supposedly carries people into the Spirit World, but all is not as it appears.

The last day of summer camp. Everyone competes in a Triathalon.

After Piplup passes out from exhaustion, Ash and company decide to relax for a while at a Pokemon center and get some tips from Professor Oak. Meanwhile Team Rocket realizes that Summer Camp soften them up, and they vow to go back to basics to get back their edge.

Ash and company finally find the Hearthome Gym Leader, Fantina. She's a top coordinator and a traveling gym leader/trainer. Both Ash and Dawn want to challenge her, but it's Ash who gets a chance to face her and her Ghost-type Pokémon.

The group settles down in a cabin while Ash tries to figure out a strategy for his rematch. Brock goes to the store to get some supplies and a Pokemon crisis arises when one of the Pokemon gets sick. Ash and Dawn try to handle the crisis, and realize how dependent they are on Brock.

Dawn enters the Celestic Town contest. She meets Lila, a top Pokemon Stylist who was once a Pokemon coordinator and a rival/friend of her mother.

Just as they're about to leave for a new city, the group hears that Cynthia is in town helping her grandmother at a Research Center. Meanwhile Team Galactic begins an attack to steal the Lustrous Orb.

The adventurers make a brief stop to catch up with Angie, their friend from Summer camp. They help her take care of some Pokemon her family's Pokemon Daycare Center. She reluctantly reveals a mistake she made, and needs their help to deal with the situation.

Ash and company pass through a small town, and encounter Aaron, a member of the Elite Four. A Pokemon Master who specializes in Bug Type Pokemon, and he's preparing for a championship battle with Cynthia.

Ash continues his training. Paul and Ash have a Pokemon Battle, during the battle Ash's Pokemon evolves. They quickly learn that the newly evolved Pokemon has lost some of its abilities, and get unexpected help discovering its new abilities.

Ash and company arrive in Hearthome city. But Fatima just had a gym battle and delays their rematch for a day. He encounters Barry a highly energetic trainer, whose training style strongly resembles Paul's techniques.

Ash has his rematch with Fatima. Meanwhile Jessie enters a Pokemon Contest.

Team Rocket, Ash and company all lose their Pokemon. It's a race to reunite the Pokemon with their trainers. Meowth contemplates leaving Team Rocket.