DP093: Difference between revisions

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altepcode=EP559 |
altepcode=EP559 |
colorscheme=Sinnoh |
colorscheme=Sinnoh |
title_en=Playing the Leveling Field! |
title_en=Playing The Leveling Field! |
title_ja=踊るジムリーダー!メリッサ登場!! |
title_ja=踊るジムリーダー!メリッサ登場!! |
title_ja_trans=Dancing Gym Leader! Enter Melissa!! |
title_ja_trans=Dancing Gym Leader! Enter Melissa!! |
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morecredits=yes |
morecredits=yes |
epstaffpage=DP091-DP100 |
epstaffpage=DP091-DP100 |
footnotes=*[[filb-eppics:dp093|Screenshots on Filb.de]]
footnotes=* {{filb-eppics|dp|093}}
}}
}}
'''Playing the Leveling Field!''' (Japanese: '''踊るジムリーダー!メリッサ登場!!''' ''Dancing Gym Leader! Enter {{tt|Melissa|Fantina|}}!!'') is the 93rd episode of the {{series|Diamond & Pearl}}, and the 559th episode of the [[Pokémon anime]]. It first aired in Japan on September 11, 2008 and in the United States on February 7, 2009.
'''Playing The Leveling Field!''' (Japanese: '''踊るジムリーダー!メリッサ登場!!''' ''Dancing Gym Leader! Enter {{tt|Melissa|Fantina|}}!!'') is the 93rd episode of the {{series|Diamond & Pearl}}, and the 559th episode of the [[Pokémon anime]]. It first aired in Japan on September 11, 2008 and in the United States on February 7, 2009.
 
{{spoilers}}
{{spoilers}}
==Synopsis==
The episode opens with [[Zoey]] and her {{TP|Zoey|Glameow}} battling an unknown trainer and her {{p|Mismagius}}. Glameow attempts to dodge a {{m|Psybeam}}, but gets hit and confused. {{Ashfr|The group}} the walk up to the battlefield, saying that they thought it was Zoey battling.


Zoey orders a {{m|Shock Wave}}, but since Glameow is confused it misses. Zoey notices the group as they cheer for Glameow, which then recovers and fires off another Shock Wave, but it is blocked by a {{m|Magical Leaf}} from Mismagius, and then the whole lot is sent back at Glameow with a {{m|Psywave}}. The combination knocks out Glameow, and the two battlers exchange compliments. As they shake hands, {{an|Brock}} butts in and professes his love for the other trainer; however {{TP|Brock|Croagunk}} {{m|Poison Jab|stops}} him. Zoey then introduces them to [[Fantina]], informing {{Ash}} that she is the {{ci|Hearthome}} [[Gym Leader]]. Fantina mentions that she has become a traveling trainer, much like the others, and so has no choice but to leave the Gym empty while she is away.
==Blurb==
<!--http://www.pokemon.com/us/tv-episodes/season-11/episode-41-11_41-playing-the-leveling-field/-->
<i>Dawn and her friends are passing through a town on their way to the Celestic Contest when they see Zoey in the middle of a tough battle with a well-dressed Coordinator. Zoey's Glameow is beaten by her opponent's Mismagius, and this stranger introduces herself as Fantina—the Hearthome Gym Leader herself! She's traveling as a Pokémon Trainer to become a better Gym Leader and perfect her own style, so she's not interested when Ash requests a Gym battle and Jessie (disguised as the reporter Jessedia) requests some interview time. But Fantina is willing to battle Ash in a friendly three-on-three battle, starting with her Drifloon against Ash's Buizel.
 
The battle's barely started when Drifloon hits Buizel with Hypnosis, putting it to sleep. By the time Buizel finally wakes up, it's too exhausted to battle! Next up is Chimchar, but Drifloon uses Psychic to stop Chimchar's Flamethrower and follows up with Hypnosis yet again. Now Chimchar falls sleep, too! Now it's up to good ol' Pikachu to save the day—if it can. Pikachu confidently launches a Volt Tackle that's slowed to a crawl and then reversed by Drifloon's Ominous Wind. Pikachu strikes back with Thunderbolt, but that just sparks Drifloon's Evolution into Drifblim!
 
Drifblim uses its aerial mobility to dodge Pikachu's Thunderbolt, then uses Hypnosis again! With Pikachu sleeping like a baby, Ash's team is unable to battle. Ash is bummed by the loss, but Fantina promises him a battle at the Hearthome Gym and even agrees to someday battle Dawn as well. That night, Jessie, hoping Yanmega can learn Drifblim's moves, shows her Pokémon the videos of Fantina's battle, while Zoey shows Dawn her third Ribbon. Now that Fantina has given them some new challenges to consider, Dawn and Ash are ready to get back on the road to Celestic Town!</i>
 
==Plot==
The episode opens with [[Zoey]] and her {{TP|Zoey|Glameow}} battling an unknown {{pkmn|Trainer}} and her {{p|Mismagius}}. Glameow attempts to dodge a {{m|Psybeam}}, but gets hit and {{status|confusion|confused}}. {{Ash}} and {{ashfr}} then walk up to the battlefield, saying that they thought it was Zoey battling.


[[Team Rocket]], who have been listening in, discuss Fantina. [[James]] mentions that the "job description" reminds him of [[Juan|another Gym Leader]]. [[Jessie]] then decides that they need to figure out Fantina's style so that she can copy it to win contests.
Zoey orders a {{m|Shock Wave}}, but since Glameow is confused it misses. Zoey notices the group as they cheer for Glameow, which then recovers and fires off another Shock Wave, but it is blocked by a {{m|Magical Leaf}} from Mismagius, and then the whole lot is sent back at Glameow with a {{m|Psywave}}. The [[Contest combination|combination]] knocks out Glameow, and the two battlers exchange compliments. As they shake hands, {{an|Brock}} butts in and professes his love for the other Trainer; however {{TP|Brock|Croagunk}} {{m|Poison Jab|stops}} him. Zoey then introduces them to [[Fantina]], informing {{Ash}} that she is the {{ci|Hearthome}} [[Gym Leader]] as well as a [[Pokémon Coordinator]]. Fantina mentions that she has become a traveling Trainer, much like the others, and so has no choice but to leave the Gym empty while she is away.


In the nearby [[Pokémon Center]] Ash tries to persuade Fantina to go back to the gym so that he can challenge her. "Jessadia" then butts in and tries to get Fantina to talk about her role as a Gym Leader, but Fantina brushes them off, saying that she needs to go and train. Zoey then suggests that they will understand better if Fantina tells them why she became a traveling trainer. Fantina explains that with a lot of hard work, she was able to become top {{pkmn|Coordinator}} with her {{p|Misdreavus}}, and then the [[Hearthome Gym]], specializing in {{type|Ghost}}s was opened. However eventually some of the trainers would defeat her in a rematch, and she felt that she wan't giving them a good enough battle. Brock states that he understands exactly how she feels from when he was the [[Pewter City]] Gym Leader. Fantina also states that she has been working on a new battle style which incorporates the beauty of a [[Contest]] battle and the ferocity of a Gym battle. She says that she hasn't quite got it quite right yet, but agrees to a battle, as one of the first things that traveling trainers do when they meet is battle. However her Pokémon are too tired for two battles, so Ash and {{an|Dawn}} use the coin toss app on her [[Pokétch]].
{{TRT}}, who have been listening in, discuss Fantina. [[James]] mentions that the "job description" reminds him of [[Juan|another Gym Leader]]. [[Jessie]] then decides that they need to figure out Fantina's style so that she can copy it to win Contests.


Dawn is fuming that she lost the coin toss as Ash and Fantina get ready for battle. Ash suggests that the battle should be three on three, over when all the Pokémon on one team are unable to battle. Fantina agrees and Dawn uses a coin toss to decide who should start the battle. Fantina wins the toss and goes first, while Jessie tells James to only focus the camera on Fantina. After Fantina holds up a [[Poké Ball]], Ash sends out {{AP|Buizel}} and Fantina sends out her {{TP|Fantina|Drifblim|Drifloon}}. Drifloon starts to use {{m|Ominous Wind}}. Buizel counters with {{m|Water Gun}}, but Drifloon dodges and hits Buizel. Buizel breaks out of the attack and hits Drifloon with {{m|Aqua Jet}}. Drifloon then puts Buizel to {{status|sleep}} with {{m|Hypnosis}}, before picking him up and waving him around, following up with {{m|Psychic}}. Buizel wakes up, but then promptly faints. Ash then sends out {{TP|Ash|Chimchar}}, who opens with a {{m|Flamethrower}}, but Drifloon stops it with Psychic and plays around with it before using {{m|Will-O-Wisp}} and following up with Hypnosis. Chimchar struggles to stay awake, but falls asleep. Ash recalls Chimchar and Dawn comments that it was good that Ash got Chimchar back in its Poké Ball, but Brock points out that unlike confusion, Pokémon continue to sleep even after they are returned to their Poké Ball.
In the nearby [[Pokémon Center]] Ash tries to persuade Fantina to go back to the Gym so that he can challenge her. "Jessadia" then butts in and tries to get Fantina to talk about her role as a Gym Leader, but Fantina brushes them off, saying that she needs to go and train. Zoey then suggests that they will understand better if Fantina tells them why she became a traveling Trainer. Fantina explains that with a lot of hard work, she was able to become {{DL|Grand Festival|Top Coordinator}} with her {{p|Misdreavus}}, and then the [[Hearthome Gym]], specializing in {{t|Ghost}} types was opened. However eventually some of the Trainers would defeat her in a rematch, and she felt that she wasn't giving them a good enough battle. Brock states that he understands exactly how she feels from when he was the [[Pewter City]] Gym Leader. Fantina also states that she has been working on a new battle style which incorporates the beauty of a [[Contest Battle]] and the ferocity of a Gym battle. She says that she hasn't quite got it quite right yet, but agrees to a battle, as one of the first things that traveling Trainers do when they meet is battle. However her Pokémon are too tired for two battles, so Ash and {{an|Dawn}} use the Coin Toss app on her [[Pokétch]].


Ash sends out {{AP|Pikachu}}, knowing that if Pikachu falls asleep the battle is as good as over. Drifloon hits Pikachu with Will-O-Wisp and Pikachu retaliates with {{m|Thunderbolt}}, hitting Drifloon. Pikachu follows up with {{m|Volt Tackle}}, but Drifloon blocks it with Ominous Wind. After a short struggle, Pikachu is thrown backwards, and then follows up with another Thunderbolt. It hits, but doesn't help as it simply causes Drifloon to [[evolution|evolve]] into {{p|Drifblim}}. Dawn Checks it on her [[Pokédex]], then Pikachu uses Thunderbolt but Drifblim dodges and then moves to close range and puts Pikachu to sleep with Hypnosis. Ash then forfeits the match, and the trainers exchange compliments. Fantina says that she will return to the Hearthome Gym to do a bit of work with her Drifblim, agreeing to have a battle with Ash when he gets there.
Dawn is fuming that she lost the coin toss as Ash and Fantina get ready for battle. Ash suggests that the battle should be three on three, over when all the Pokémon on one team are unable to battle. Fantina agrees and Dawn uses a coin toss to decide who should start the battle. Fantina wins the toss and goes first, while Jessie tells James to only focus the camera on Fantina. After Fantina holds up a [[Poké Ball]], Ash sends out {{AP|Buizel}} and Fantina sends out her {{TP|Fantina|Drifloon|Drifloon}}. Drifloon starts to use {{m|Ominous Wind}}. Buizel counters with {{m|Water Gun}}, but Drifloon dodges and hits Buizel. Buizel breaks out of the attack and hits Drifloon with {{m|Aqua Jet}}. Drifloon then puts Buizel to {{status|sleep}} with {{m|Hypnosis}}, before picking him up and waving him around, following up with {{m|Psychic}}. Buizel wakes up, but then promptly faints. Ash then sends out {{AP|Chimchar}}, who opens with a {{m|Flamethrower}}, but Drifloon stops it with Psychic and plays around with it before using {{m|Will-O-Wisp}} and following up with Hypnosis. Chimchar struggles to stay awake, but falls asleep. Ash recalls Chimchar and Dawn comments that it was good that Ash got Chimchar back in its Poké Ball, but Brock points out that unlike confusion, Pokémon continue to sleep even after they are returned to their Poké Ball.
 
Ash sends out {{AP|Pikachu}}, knowing that if Pikachu falls asleep the battle is as good as over. Drifloon hits Pikachu with Will-O-Wisp and Pikachu retaliates with {{m|Thunderbolt}}, hitting Drifloon. Pikachu follows up with {{m|Volt Tackle}}, but Drifloon blocks it with Ominous Wind. After a short struggle, Pikachu is thrown backwards, and then follows up with another Thunderbolt. It hits, but doesn't help as it simply causes Drifloon to [[evolution|evolve]] into {{p|Drifblim}}. Dawn Checks it on her [[Pokédex]], then Pikachu uses Thunderbolt but Drifblim dodges and then moves to close range and puts Pikachu to sleep with Hypnosis. Ash then forfeits the match, and the Trainers exchange compliments. Fantina says that she will return to the Hearthome Gym to do a bit of work with her Drifblim, agreeing to have a battle with Ash when he gets there.


That night, Team Rocket show the footage of the battle to {{TP|Jessie|Yanmega}} and Jessie asks it to dodge like Drifblim, but Yanmega says that it can't. James and {{MTR}} point out that Yanmega and Drifloon are very different Pokémon.
That night, Team Rocket show the footage of the battle to {{TP|Jessie|Yanmega}} and Jessie asks it to dodge like Drifblim, but Yanmega says that it can't. James and {{MTR}} point out that Yanmega and Drifloon are very different Pokémon.


Back at the Pokémon Center, Zoey shows Dawn that she has won her third ribbon. She says that she won't be entering the [[Celestic Town]] [[Contest]], but will be there to cheer Dawn on. Meanwhile Ash is sitting on the floor surrounded by his Pokémon trying to figure out a way to counter Drifblim's Hypnosis. The episode ends as the narrator comments that how Ash learns from his loss will affect the outcome of his next battle with Fantina.
Back at the Pokémon Center, Zoey shows Dawn that she has won her third [[Ribbon]]. She says that she won't be entering the [[Celestic Town]] {{pkmn|Contest}}, but will be there to cheer Dawn on. Meanwhile Ash is sitting on the floor surrounded by his Pokémon trying to figure out a way to counter Drifblim's Hypnosis. The episode ends as the narrator comments that how Ash learns from his loss will affect the outcome of his next battle with Fantina.


==Major events==
==Major events==
* Fantina has a battle with [[Zoey]] and wins.
* {{Ash}} and {{ashfr}} meet [[Fantina]], the [[Hearthome City]] [[Gym Leader]].
* [[Fantina|Fantina's]] {{p|Drifloon}} evolves into {{TP|Fantina|Drifblim}}.
* [[Zoey]] has a battle with Fantina and loses.
* {{Ash}} has an informal battle with [[Fantina]] and forfeits.
* Fantina's {{p|Drifloon}} evolves into {{TP|Fantina|Drifblim}}.
* Zoey is revealed to have won her third [[ribbon]].
* {{Ash}} has an unofficial battle with [[Fantina]] and forfeits.
* Zoey is revealed to have won her third [[Ribbon]].
{{animeevents}}


===Debuts===
===Debuts===
====Humans====
* [[Fantina]]
* [[Fantina]]
====Pokémon debuts====
====Pokémon debuts====
=====TV episode debuts=====
=====TV episode debuts=====
Line 79: Line 93:
* {{p|Pikachu}} ({{OP|Ash|Pikachu}})
* {{p|Pikachu}} ({{OP|Ash|Pikachu}})
* {{p|Meowth}} ({{TRM}})
* {{p|Meowth}} ({{TRM}})
* {{p|Piplup}} ({{OP|Dawn|Piplup}})
* {{p|Wobbuffet}} ({{OP|Jessie|Wobbuffet}})
* {{p|Wobbuffet}} ({{OP|Jessie|Wobbuffet}})
* {{p|Staravia}} ({{OP|Ash|Staravia}})
* {{p|Turtwig}} ({{OP|Ash|Turtwig}})
* {{p|Turtwig}} ({{OP|Ash|Turtwig}})
* {{p|Staravia}} ({{OP|Ash|Staravia}})
* {{p|Chimchar}} ({{OP|Ash|Chimchar|Infernape}})
* {{p|Chimchar}} ({{OP|Ash|Chimchar|Monferno}})
* {{p|Buizel}} ({{OP|Ash|Buizel}})
* {{p|Buizel}} ({{OP|Ash|Buizel}})
* {{p|Gliscor}} ({{OP|Ash|Gliscor}})
* {{p|Gliscor}} ({{OP|Ash|Gliscor}})
* {{p|Piplup}} ({{OP|Dawn|Piplup}})
* {{p|Croagunk}} ({{OP|Brock|Croagunk}})
* {{p|Croagunk}} ({{OP|Brock|Croagunk}})
* {{p|Happiny}} ({{OP|Brock|Happiny}})
* {{p|Happiny}} ({{OP|Brock|Happiny}})
* {{p|Yanmega}} ({{OP|Jessie|Yanmega}})
* {{p|Yanmega}} ({{OP|Jessie|Yanmega}})
* {{p|Glameow}} ({{OP|Zoey|Glameow}})  
* {{p|Glameow}} ({{OP|Zoey|Glameow}})  
* {{p|Misdreavus}} ([[Fantina]]'s) (flashback)
* {{p|Misdreavus}} ([[Fantina]]'s; flashback)
* {{p|Mismagius}} ([[Fantina]]'s)
* {{p|Mismagius}} ([[Fantina]]'s)
* {{p|Drifloon}} ({{OP|Fantina|Drifloon}}, evolves)
* {{p|Drifloon}} ({{OP|Fantina|Drifloon}}; evolves)
* {{p|Drifblim}} ({{OP|Fantina|Drifblim}}, newly evolved; debut)
* {{p|Drifblim}} ({{OP|Fantina|Drifblim}}; newly evolved; debut)
* {{p|Gengar}} ([[Fantina]]'s) (flashback)
* {{p|Gengar}} ([[Fantina]]'s; flashback)
* {{p|Nosepass}} ([[Alan]]'s) (flashback)
* {{p|Nosepass}} ([[Alan]]'s; flashback)
* {{p|Probopass}} ([[Alan]]'s) (flashback)
* {{p|Probopass}} ([[Alan]]'s; flashback)
* {{p|Luxray}} (flashback)
* {{p|Luxray}} (flashback)
* {{p|Ponyta}} (flashback)
* {{p|Ponyta}} (flashback)
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==Trivia==  
==Trivia==  
* Music from ''[[M08|Lucario and the Mystery of Mew]]'' and ''[[M09|Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea]]'' is used as background music.
* Music from ''[[M08|Lucario and the Mystery of Mew]]'' and ''[[M09|Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea]]'' is used as background music.
* [[Professor Oak's lecture]]: {{p|Riolu}}
* [[Professor Oak's Big Pokémon Encyclopedia]]: {{p|Riolu}}
* The dub title for this episode is a reference to the phrase "level the playing field".
* The dub title for this episode is a reference to the phrase "{{wp|level playing field|level the playing field}}".
* In the English dub, the title card appears at a later point and with different music.
* In the English dub, the title card appears at a later point and with different music.
* This episode was the last to air before the release of {{game|Platinum}} in Japan.
* This episode was the last to air before the release of {{game|Platinum}} in Japan.
* Team Rocket doesn't blast off or recite their {{motto}} in this episode.


===Errors===
===Errors===
* In this episode, [[Zoey]] orders her Glameow to use {{m|Shock Wave}} and it misses. This is impossible because Shock Wave cannot miss in the games.


===In other languages===
==In other languages==
* Dutch: '''{{tt|Op Gelijk Niveau Komen!|Getting On Similarly Level!}}'''
{{Epilang|color=FFCCCC|bordercolor=9999FF
* German: '''{{tt|Eine ganz besondere Gegnerin!|A very special opponent!}}'''
|zh_cmn={{tt|舞動的道館訓練家!梅麗莎登場!!|Dancing Gym Leader! Enter Fantina!}}
* Brazilian Portuguese: '''{{tt|Jogando no Campo da Nivelação!|Playing the Leveling Field!!}}'''
|cs={{tt|Neobyčejný zápas|The Extraordinary Battle}}
* Italian: '''{{tt|Imparare dalle proprie sconfitte!|Learning from one's defeats!}}'''
|da={{tt|Jævnet med jorden|Leveled to the ground}}
* Latin American Spanish: '''{{tt|¡Jugando en un campo superior!|Playing in a top field!}}'''
|de={{tt|Eine ganz besondere Gegnerin!|A very special opponent!}}
* Iberian Spanish: '''{{tt|¡Jugando en un Campo de Nivel!|Playing in a Level Field!}}'''
|nl={{tt|Op Gelijk Niveau Komen!|Getting to an equal level!}}
* Czech: '''{{tt|Neobyčejný zápas|The Extraordinary Battle}}'''
|fi={{tt|Aina korkeammalle!|Always higher!}}
* Polish: '''{{tt|Niesamowita walka|Amazing Battle}}'''
|fr_eu={{tt|Une rencontre inespérée!|An unexpected meeting!}}
* French: '''{{tt|Une rencontre inespérée !| An unexpected meeting!}}'''
|it={{tt|Imparare dalle proprie sconfitte!|Learning from one's defeats!}}
|no={{tt|Jevnet med jorden|Leveled to the ground}}
|pl={{tt|Niesamowita walka|Amazing Battle}}'''
|pt_br={{tt|Jogando no Campo da Nivelação!|Playing the Leveling Field!!}}
|pt_eu={{tt|Nivelando Combate e Competição!|Leveling Battle and Contest!}}
|es_la={{tt|¡Jugando en un campo superior!|Playing in a top field!}}
|es_eu={{tt|¡Jugando en un Campo de Nivel!|Playing in a Level Field!}}
|sv={{tt|Spela med lika förutsättningar!|Playing with equal conditions!}}
|ru={{tt|Битва прямо на месте|A battle right on the spot}}
}}


{{EpicodePrevNext|
{{EpicodePrevNext|
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[[Category:Episodes written by Atsuhiro Tomioka|559]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Atsuhiro Tomioka|559]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded and directed by Yoshito Hata|559]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded and directed by Yoshito Hata|559]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded by Yoshito Hata|559]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Yoshito Hata|559]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Kazue Kinoshita|559]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Kazue Kinoshita|559]]
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Ash|559]]
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Ash|559]]

Revision as of 04:59, 29 December 2015

DP092 : A Lean Mean Team Rocket Machine!
Diamond & Pearl series
DP094 : Doc Brock!
Playing The Leveling Field!
DP093.png
DP093   EP559
踊るジムリーダー!メリッサ登場!!
Dancing Gym Leader! Enter Melissa!!
First broadcast
Japan September 11, 2008
United States February 7, 2009
English themes
Opening We Will Be Heroes
Ending
Japanese themes
Opening Together2008
Ending 風のメッセージ
Credits
Animation Team Iguchi
Screenplay 冨岡淳広 Atsuhiro Tomioka
Storyboard 秦義人 Yoshito Hata
Assistant director 秦義人 Yoshito Hata
Animation director 木下和栄 Kazue Kinoshita
Additional credits

Playing The Leveling Field! (Japanese: 踊るジムリーダー!メリッサ登場!! Dancing Gym Leader! Enter Melissa!!) is the 93rd episode of the Diamond & Pearl series, and the 559th episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan on September 11, 2008 and in the United States on February 7, 2009.

201
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
201

Blurb

Dawn and her friends are passing through a town on their way to the Celestic Contest when they see Zoey in the middle of a tough battle with a well-dressed Coordinator. Zoey's Glameow is beaten by her opponent's Mismagius, and this stranger introduces herself as Fantina—the Hearthome Gym Leader herself! She's traveling as a Pokémon Trainer to become a better Gym Leader and perfect her own style, so she's not interested when Ash requests a Gym battle and Jessie (disguised as the reporter Jessedia) requests some interview time. But Fantina is willing to battle Ash in a friendly three-on-three battle, starting with her Drifloon against Ash's Buizel.

The battle's barely started when Drifloon hits Buizel with Hypnosis, putting it to sleep. By the time Buizel finally wakes up, it's too exhausted to battle! Next up is Chimchar, but Drifloon uses Psychic to stop Chimchar's Flamethrower and follows up with Hypnosis yet again. Now Chimchar falls sleep, too! Now it's up to good ol' Pikachu to save the day—if it can. Pikachu confidently launches a Volt Tackle that's slowed to a crawl and then reversed by Drifloon's Ominous Wind. Pikachu strikes back with Thunderbolt, but that just sparks Drifloon's Evolution into Drifblim!

Drifblim uses its aerial mobility to dodge Pikachu's Thunderbolt, then uses Hypnosis again! With Pikachu sleeping like a baby, Ash's team is unable to battle. Ash is bummed by the loss, but Fantina promises him a battle at the Hearthome Gym and even agrees to someday battle Dawn as well. That night, Jessie, hoping Yanmega can learn Drifblim's moves, shows her Pokémon the videos of Fantina's battle, while Zoey shows Dawn her third Ribbon. Now that Fantina has given them some new challenges to consider, Dawn and Ash are ready to get back on the road to Celestic Town!

Plot

The episode opens with Zoey and her Glameow battling an unknown Trainer and her Mismagius. Glameow attempts to dodge a Psybeam, but gets hit and confused. Ash and his friends then walk up to the battlefield, saying that they thought it was Zoey battling.

Zoey orders a Shock Wave, but since Glameow is confused it misses. Zoey notices the group as they cheer for Glameow, which then recovers and fires off another Shock Wave, but it is blocked by a Magical Leaf from Mismagius, and then the whole lot is sent back at Glameow with a Psywave. The combination knocks out Glameow, and the two battlers exchange compliments. As they shake hands, Brock butts in and professes his love for the other Trainer; however Croagunk stops him. Zoey then introduces them to Fantina, informing Ash that she is the Hearthome Gym Leader as well as a Pokémon Coordinator. Fantina mentions that she has become a traveling Trainer, much like the others, and so has no choice but to leave the Gym empty while she is away.

Team Rocket, who have been listening in, discuss Fantina. James mentions that the "job description" reminds him of another Gym Leader. Jessie then decides that they need to figure out Fantina's style so that she can copy it to win Contests.

In the nearby Pokémon Center Ash tries to persuade Fantina to go back to the Gym so that he can challenge her. "Jessadia" then butts in and tries to get Fantina to talk about her role as a Gym Leader, but Fantina brushes them off, saying that she needs to go and train. Zoey then suggests that they will understand better if Fantina tells them why she became a traveling Trainer. Fantina explains that with a lot of hard work, she was able to become Top Coordinator with her Misdreavus, and then the Hearthome Gym, specializing in Ghost types was opened. However eventually some of the Trainers would defeat her in a rematch, and she felt that she wasn't giving them a good enough battle. Brock states that he understands exactly how she feels from when he was the Pewter City Gym Leader. Fantina also states that she has been working on a new battle style which incorporates the beauty of a Contest Battle and the ferocity of a Gym battle. She says that she hasn't quite got it quite right yet, but agrees to a battle, as one of the first things that traveling Trainers do when they meet is battle. However her Pokémon are too tired for two battles, so Ash and Dawn use the Coin Toss app on her Pokétch.

Dawn is fuming that she lost the coin toss as Ash and Fantina get ready for battle. Ash suggests that the battle should be three on three, over when all the Pokémon on one team are unable to battle. Fantina agrees and Dawn uses a coin toss to decide who should start the battle. Fantina wins the toss and goes first, while Jessie tells James to only focus the camera on Fantina. After Fantina holds up a Poké Ball, Ash sends out Buizel and Fantina sends out her Drifloon. Drifloon starts to use Ominous Wind. Buizel counters with Water Gun, but Drifloon dodges and hits Buizel. Buizel breaks out of the attack and hits Drifloon with Aqua Jet. Drifloon then puts Buizel to sleep with Hypnosis, before picking him up and waving him around, following up with Psychic. Buizel wakes up, but then promptly faints. Ash then sends out Chimchar, who opens with a Flamethrower, but Drifloon stops it with Psychic and plays around with it before using Will-O-Wisp and following up with Hypnosis. Chimchar struggles to stay awake, but falls asleep. Ash recalls Chimchar and Dawn comments that it was good that Ash got Chimchar back in its Poké Ball, but Brock points out that unlike confusion, Pokémon continue to sleep even after they are returned to their Poké Ball.

Ash sends out Pikachu, knowing that if Pikachu falls asleep the battle is as good as over. Drifloon hits Pikachu with Will-O-Wisp and Pikachu retaliates with Thunderbolt, hitting Drifloon. Pikachu follows up with Volt Tackle, but Drifloon blocks it with Ominous Wind. After a short struggle, Pikachu is thrown backwards, and then follows up with another Thunderbolt. It hits, but doesn't help as it simply causes Drifloon to evolve into Drifblim. Dawn Checks it on her Pokédex, then Pikachu uses Thunderbolt but Drifblim dodges and then moves to close range and puts Pikachu to sleep with Hypnosis. Ash then forfeits the match, and the Trainers exchange compliments. Fantina says that she will return to the Hearthome Gym to do a bit of work with her Drifblim, agreeing to have a battle with Ash when he gets there.

That night, Team Rocket show the footage of the battle to Yanmega and Jessie asks it to dodge like Drifblim, but Yanmega says that it can't. James and Meowth point out that Yanmega and Drifloon are very different Pokémon.

Back at the Pokémon Center, Zoey shows Dawn that she has won her third Ribbon. She says that she won't be entering the Celestic Town Contest, but will be there to cheer Dawn on. Meanwhile Ash is sitting on the floor surrounded by his Pokémon trying to figure out a way to counter Drifblim's Hypnosis. The episode ends as the narrator comments that how Ash learns from his loss will affect the outcome of his next battle with Fantina.

Major events

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In other languages


DP092 : A Lean Mean Team Rocket Machine!
Diamond & Pearl series
DP094 : Doc Brock!
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