{{ship}}
----
[[Image:Dawncheer.jpg|thumb|Dawn in the cheerleading outfit she wore to cheer for Ash]]
'''PearlShipping''' (Japanese: '''サトヒカ''' ''SatoHika'') is the name of the pairing between [[Ash Ketchum]] and his newest traveling {{ashfr|companion}}, {{an|Dawn}}, from the [[Pokémon anime]]. This [[shipping|Ship]] is among the more popular anime-based Shippings, along with {{s|PokéShipping}}, {{s|AdvanceShipping}}, and {{s|ContestShipping}}. The name itself was coined from the belief Dawn's [[Dawn (game)|game persona]] would be linked to the {{ga|Barry|Pearl}} name upon {{2v2|Diamond|Pearl}}'s release, as was the case for {{2v2|Ruby|Sapphire}}, before much was known of either the anime saga or Dawn's character.

==Anime evidence==
===Dawn's hints===
* ''[[DP004|Dawn of a New Era!]]''
: Dawn feels Ash does not respect or acknowledge her, and both argue with each other throughout most of the episode. She challenges [[Nando]] to a battle, hoping to make Ash realize how good she is as a {{pkmn|Trainer}}. In the end, after Nando manages to explain to them that there is no reason to argue, both apologize to one another and exchange a few very sentimental words, strengthening their new friendship.
* ''[[DP009|Setting the World on its Buneary!]]''
: Dawn is having a bad hair day and has her {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}} fix her hair. Before fixing her hair, she refuses to let Ash see her for fear of having him judge her, or that she is simply being self-conscious. Afterward, she asks Ash if he would like his done, too.
* ''[[DP011|Mounting a Coordinator Assault!]]''
: Dawn comments on how awesome Ash looks when making his appeal in the {{ci|Jubilife}} Contest.
* ''[[DP018|O'er the Rampardos we Watched!]]''
: Dawn dons a cheerleading outfit, and she and her Pokémon began cheering and dancing for Ash to win and thus giving him the confidence to earn his first [[Badge|gym badge]] in Sinnoh. Neither [[Misty]] nor {{an|May}} ever went to such lengths in any of Ash's battles; they usually sat on the side lines discussing if he would win, though they did plain-out cheer for him.
* ''[[DP062|Tanks for the Memories!]]''
: Dawn sees Ash going off to train his Pokemon and follows for reasons unknown. In a later scene Dawn is inspired by Ash's training to do the same, but then starts crying about her recent Contest failure. When Ash approached her, she didn't want him to worry about it and played along with his assumption that she had dirt in her eyes. Then Ash says he is hungry and Dawn suggests that they get ice cream so that Ash wouldn't have to worry about her.
* ''[[DP066|Lost Leader Strategy!]]''
: Dawn talks to [[Maylene]] to try to convince her to take up Gym Leading again. Perhaps she does this because she can relate to it with her contest failures, but near the end of the conversation she admits she wonders if her Contests are holding Ash back, showing that she cares about his dreams almost more than her own.

* [[DP069|''Enter Galactic!'']]
: Ash claims the reason he won his new badge from [[Maylene]] was because of all the training Dawn did with {{AP|Buizel}} when it was still hers. This causes Dawn to blush and she says, "Well, lets just say I was gonna do anything I could to see an awesome Gym Battle between Ash and Maylene!"
* ''[[DP075|Our Cup Runneth Over!]]''
: At the start of the episode, Dawn comments on how Ash does very well in training his Pokémon and even saying: "Ash is incredible!" Also, when Contest Master [[Wallace]] mentions the importance of the love between the Trainers and their Pokémon, Dawn agrees and lookes at Ash, as if she just realized something that involves Ash. Ash looks back at Dawn and stares at her in confusion.
* ''[[DP078|Pruning a Passel of Pals!]]''
: Dawn is proud of Ash because he and Buizel were able to pull off the {{m|Aqua Jet}}-{{m|Ice Beam}} combo that Dawn attempted to perform with Buizel in ''[[DP041|A Stand-Up Sit-Down!]]'', turning the opponent's {{m|Ice Beam}} against it.
* ''[[DP082|Cream of the Croagunk Crop!]]''
: When Ash runs into [[Crasher Wake]] and falls to the ground, Dawn is concerned over Ash's well-being. In another scene, Dawn is so frightened by the appearance of the Croagunk, she hid behind Ash and held onto him.
* ''[[DP087|The Psyduck Stops Here!]]''
: Dawn becomes worried that Ash's plan to get past the {{p|Psyduck}} would fail and that Ash would end up hurt.
* ''[[DP096|Losing Its Lustrous!]]''
: When Brock finishes packing, and tells Dawn that they're ready to go, she immediately volunteers to go and get Ash. Also, after that, Brock is seen with Happiny, saying that they'd be better off waiting around in the Pokémon Center until Ash and Dawn are done training.
* ''[[DP108|Dealing With Defensive Types!]]''
: When Byron's Gym assistant says that [[Byron]] has the upper hand during Ash's gym battle, Dawn gets angry and says, "I am telling you you're wrong! Ash is going to win it for sure!" showing the confidence she has that he will win.
* ''[[DP113|Hold The Phione!]]''
: When Ash asks Dawn what Pokémon she would be using in the upcoming Pokémon Contest, Dawn winks at him and says, "Well who do you ''think'' I would use?"
* ''[[DP123|Old Rivals, New Tricks!]]''
: Dawn stated that she wanted to enter {{TP|Dawn|Ambipom}} in the {{to|Sandalstraw}} Contest so it could win it for both her and Ash.
*''[[DP133|Uncrushing Defeat!]]''
: When Ash is feeling upset when all his Pokémon are badly injured he runs off, and Dawn tries to follow him, but is stopped by Brock. So in order to cheer up Ash after his confidence goes down, Dawn puts on a show for him. Ash didn't know why Dawn was doing the show at first, but Nurse Joy whispered to him that she was doing it to make him and his Pokémon feel better.
*''[[DP144|Gone With the Windworks!]]''
: When Ash, Dawn, Brock, [[Khoury]], and {{an|Lyra}} are trapped in a room at the [[Valley Windworks]], Lyra asks Dawn if Ash is her boyfriend. She quickly denies it, bewildered at the question. Lyra goes on, while trapped, about Ash's apparent strong points, putting Ash in a light Dawn likely hadn't seen before.
*''[[DP145|A Rivalry to Gible On!]]''
:After Ash falls into a Trapinch's {{a|Arena Trap}}, Dawn gets so worried about him that she starts to argue with him. While they were arguing, Lyra thinks to herself how nice it is that both Ash and Dawn care about each other so much. Also, Dawn gets startled when Lyra talks about Khoury being her boyfriend.

===Ash's hints===
* ''[[DP018|O'er The Rampardos We Watched]]''
: Dawn is dressed in a cheerleading outfit to cheer Ash on. When she starts cheering with her Pokémon, Ash notices this and said, "Geez, thanks Dawn." As he said this, he had a big grin on his face.
* ''[[DP027|Settling a Not-So-Old Score!]]''
: Ash calms her nerves after she had made what she thought was a bad appeal, and even used her frequent catchphrase, "''No need to worry!''" (Japanese: "''Daijōbu!''") to console her and gave her a caring and loving look.
* ''[[DP050|Tag! We're It...!]]''
: Ash signs Dawn up in the {{ci|Hearthome}} [[Tag Battle Tournament]] to cheer her up after her recent Contest loss. When he tells her, she is against it because she thought she wouldn't do well, but Ash claims he thinks she would do great. He also tells her to try her best. When she agrees, he raises his hand with a big grin on his face to give her a high five.
* ''[[DP061|Team Shocker!]]''
: Ash is deeply saddened when Dawn lost in the appeal round for the second time. After the loss, "[[Jessie|Jessalina]]" walks up to her and tells her to leave. Dawn tells "Jessalina" she wants to stay. The camera then turns to her slightly shaking fist. The camera then shoots over to Ash's face. The brown in his eyes can be seen, and this usually only happens when Ash is very upset. He then lowers his head, and hides his eyes behind his hat.
* ''[[DP069|Enter Galactic!]]''
: Ash said the reason he won his new badge from [[Maylene]] was because of all the training Dawn did with {{AP|Buizel}} when it was still hers. This caused Dawn to blush and she said, "Thanks, but it was all worth it to see an amazing battle between you and Maylene, Ash." This made Ash smile widely at her.
* ''[[DP082|Cream of the Croagunk Crop!]]''
: During the Croagunk Festival, Ash asks Dawn to dance.
* ''[[DP084|Hungry for the Good Life!]]''
: When Ash and Dawn climb onto Team Rocket's [[Team Rocket's mechas|robot]], he falls off and screams her name twice, once while he fell and again when he lost sight of her.
* ''[[DP085|Fighting Fear With Fear!]]''
: Dawn makes a comment about how Ash should treat his Pokémon like {{Gary}} does and Ash becomes furious. Some PearlShippers consider that to be jealousy of Dawn's supposed feelings for Gary.
* ''[[DP086|Arriving in Style!]]''
: When Dawn becomes frustrated with designing her outfits for the collection, Ash comments on how all her designs are amazing and she should do her best.
* ''[[DP088|Camping It Up!]]''
: When Brock comments on how great [[Conway]] is with his {{p|Venonat}}, Ash begins to get worried and yells, "'Kay Dawn, hang in there!" Later, Ash was extremely happy that Dawn won the prize for being closest to her [[Pokémon]].
* ''[[DP106|A Breed Stampede!]]''
: Ash saves Dawn by putting his arm around her waist and pushing her to safety, protecting her from her {{TP|Dawn|Piloswine}} after it went charging at her for more Poffins.
* ''[[DP114|Another One Gabites the Dust!]]''
: When [[Ursula]] insults Dawn, Dawn becomes mad but as soon as she is about to say something to Ursula as she leaves, Ash yells at her telling her that Dawn is a much better Coordinator and Trainer than she is.
* ''[[DP119|Trials and Adulations!]]''
: As soon as Ash found out that Dawn fell in the river, he became extremely worried about her and continued to be concerned about her until he found Dawn again. Meanwhile, [[Brock]] didn't show nearly as much concern as Ash did.
* ''[[DP133|Uncrushing Defeat!]]''
: When Dawn puts on a show for Ash and his Pokémon, Ash does not know why, so Nurse Joy tells him that it is to cheer up him and all his Pokémon. When she tells him this, he gives Dawn a weird look as if to say, "Is this true?" Dawn gives him a smile and a wink, saying yes and starts the show. As the show progresses, Ash and his Pokémon are enjoying themselves very much.
* ''[[DP143|An Egg Scramble!]]''
: When Lyra invites Dawn up for a battle with her {{p|Chikorita}}, Ash yells, "Yeah, go Dawn!" and pushes her by the shoulder up on the podium.
* ''[[DP145|A Rivalry to Gible On!]]''
:During this episode Lyra is trying to make Dawn and Khoury a couple; she does this by staying close to Ash the entire episode. However, when the gang is in the cave, Ash and the others get separated by a flock of {{p|Zubat}}. When this happened, Dawn was seen by herself scared and alone with her {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}}. Soon after, Ash is seen running up to Dawn to save her and calling out her name.
* ''[[DP146|Dressed for Jess Success!]]''
: Throughout the episode, Ash continually states Dawn is awesome and "number one."

===Other hints===
[[Image:HighfiveDP.JPG|thumb|right|180px|Ash and Dawn high-fiving]]
* Ash and Dawn are often seen exchanging high fives whenever one of them accomplishes something, which might possibly portray a deep friendship, as Ash has rarely ever given a high five to anyone else on the show.
*[[Dawn's Buneary]] has {{s|LagomorphShipping|a crush}} on [[Ash's Pikachu]]. This could be a sign that Dawn may have a crush on Ash, since [[Professor Oak]] and [[Brock]] have said in the past that Pokémon represent the feelings of their masters and when two Pokémon fall in love, there is a good chance the Trainers will too. It is to be pointed out that Buneary developed this crush ''before'' Dawn caught it. The claim has also been refuted at various points during the series, so the feelings of the Pokémon are not always definitive to the feelings of the Trainers.
* So far, Ash has watched all of Dawn's Contests. He did not do this with May because he would sometimes be training his Pokémon instead of watching her.
* Dawn is the source of some of the moves and strategies used in battle by Ash, which include [[Ash's Buizel|Ice Aqua Jet]] & [[Dawn's Piplup|Spin]]. Ash watching Dawn's Contest may (in part) be so he can learn new things to apply in battle.
[[Image:Promo PokemonMovie11.JPG|thumb|100px|''Pikachu the Movie'' poster]]
* One of the movie posters for ''[[M11|Giratina and the Sky Warrior]]'' depicts Pikachu and Piplup sitting on Ash's and Dawn's heads, respectively. Some fans have pointed out that the distance portrayed between Dawn and Ash is very small. However, other fans point out how Ash's hair, which can usually be seen from the sides of his hat, is not present. This may mean the Trainers are not really wearing their hats.
* A Domino's Pizza Kids 2008 Commercial in Japan features Ash and Dawn, as well as some Pokémon.
* [[High Touch!]]
: The opening is sung by Ash and Dawn. The lyrics show how close their friendship is to each other and their Pokémon. But, mainly to each other.
* ''[[DP017|Wild in the Streets!]]''
: While Dawn battled a revived {{p|Aerodactyl}}, Ash is fascinated with {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}} and {{TP|Dawn|Buneary}}'s new dodging tactic that he asks Dawn to help him practice for his rematch. He then has {{AP|Pikachu}}, {{TP|Dawn|Aipom}}, and {{AP|Turtwig}} use them in ''[[DP018|O'er the Rampardos We Watched]]'' in his rematch with [[Roark]], again in ''[[DP026|Getting the Pre-Contest Titters]]'' in his match against Kenny, and a few other times since, the tactic becoming a regular (if not frequent) feature in Ash's strategy.
[[File:PearlHintDP149.png|thumb|Ash and Dawn close to each other]]
* ''[[DP113|Hold the Phione!]]''
: When Ash and Dawn were in the submarine, they saw a school of {{p|Luvdisc}}. Some PearlShippers consider this a hint because Luvdisc's [[Pokédex]] entry says if two people see a school of Luvdisc, they will be blessed with eternal love (however, there's been long-debated discrepancies about how much the anime and the game are relatable, and should not be taken at face value. Also, {{s|AdvanceShipping|AdvanceShippers}} have a similar hint from the [[M09|ninth movie]]).

==Movie evidence==
===Dawn's hints===
* ''[[M10|The Rise of Darkrai]]''
: When {{mov|Darkrai|Darkrai|10}} first appears in front of Ash and company, Dawn runs over to Ash's side. Several other scenes feature Dawn reacting to Ash's predicaments: when Ash is about to fall off the tower, Dawn rushes over to save him. When Ash saves her from falling of the platform, Dawn looks at him with a thankful expression on her face and is holding his hand. And when Ash begins to cry, believing he lost Darkrai, Dawn looks at him with a worried expression and begins to cry as well.
* ''[[M12|Arceus and the Jewel of Life]]''
: When Ash tries to defeat Marcus, he has trouble beating {{p|Heatran}} and {{p|Bronzong}}. As soon as they both attack Pikachu, Dawn and her Piplup protect Ash and Pikachu, and help him fight. During this time, Brock is not with Dawn and Ash but with [[Sheena]] and [[Damos]].

===Ash's hints===
* ''[[M10|The Rise of Darkrai]]''
: When both Ash and Dawn are falling off the tower together, Ash holds Dawn tight so that she doesn't leave him.

===Other movie hints===
Movie Posters
* Throughout most promotional posters of Diamond & Pearl movies, Brock seemed to be excluded, leaving only Ash and Dawn in them.

==Similarities==
* Both Dawn and Ash saw a [[legendary Pokémon]] at the beginning of their journeys (Ash saw {{an|Ho-Oh}} in ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]'' and Dawn saw {{p|Mesprit}} in ''[[DP001|Following a Maiden's Voyage!]]'').
** They have both seen a [[Lake guardians|lake guardian]]: Dawn and Mesprit in ''[[DP001|Following a Maiden's Voyage!]]'', and Ash and {{p|Azelf}} in ''[[DP078|Pruning a Passel of Pals!]]'' (eventually, Brock saw {{p|Uxie}} as well).
* Neither of Ash or Dawn's fathers have ever been acknowledged on-screen in the anime. They also are only children with no siblings.
[[Image:Pearlshipping.png|thumb|right|Scene from ''[[M10|The Rise of Darkrai]]'']]
* They both have childhood [[rival]]s: Ash's is [[Gary Oak]] and Dawn's is {{si|Kenny}}.
* The rivals of their {{ga|Red|game}} {{ga|Dawn|counterparts}} ({{Gary}} and {{an|Barry}}) have appeared in the anime instead of making a cameo, as {{ga|Silver}} and {{ga|Brendan}} have.
* He first participated in an official Contest at the same time as Dawn.
* They are the only main characters that have battled members of the [[Elite Four]].
* Just like Ash's Pikachu, [[Dawn's Piplup]] wasn't ready to obey her when they first met. Eventually, they became friends.
** Pikachu saved Ash from {{p|Spearow}} in the beginning of his journey while Piplup saved Dawn from {{p|Ariados}}.
** Both Dawn and Ash's first Pokémon have refused to evolve.
** Both of their {{Pkmn2|starter}}s were able to defeat their evolved forms: {{AP|Pikachu}} beat [[Lt. Surge]]'s {{TP|Lt. Surge|Raichu}} and [[Sho]]'s {{p|Raichu}}, while {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}} beat {{si|Kenny}}'s {{TP|Kenny|Prinplup}}.
** As of ''[[DP060|Journey To The Unown!]]'', [[Dawn's Piplup]] seems to have become an "out of the ball" Pokémon, as it rarely stays inside its [[Poké Ball]] anymore, and is often seen being carried around by Dawn just as Ash carries around Pikachu on his shoulder.
[[Image:Dominos Ad Nov08.jpg|thumb|right|Scene from a 2008 Domino's Pizza commercial]]
* Both Ash and Dawn have owned Pokémon that refused to obey them at one point (Ash's {{AP|Pikachu}}, {{AP|Charizard}}, and {{AP|Primeape}}, and Dawn's {{AP|Buizel}} and {{TP|Dawn|Mamoswine}}).
** Both also have a Pokémon they caught in its earliest form, which began to disobey them after evolving once, and then evolved again rather quickly. Eventually, both Pokémon started obeying their Trainers (however, it took [[Ash's Charizard]] longer to obey than [[Dawn's Mamoswine]]).
* They both released the second Pokémon they caught: Ash released {{AP|Pidgeot}} and Dawn released {{TP|Dawn|Pachirisu}}. However, Dawn recaptured Pachirisu and Ash said he would come back for Pidgeot (though he has yet to do so).
* Dawn is the only main character in the series, aside from Ash, who owns an {{t|Electric}} Pokémon.
* Ash and Dawn are the only main characters to trade Pokémon with each other: Ash's {{TP|Dawn|Aipom}} for Dawn's {{AP|Buizel}}.
* In ''[[DP094|Doc Brock!]]'', Pachirisu becomes ill from having too much electricity, which also happened to Ash's Pikachu between ''[[EP274|Hoenn Alone!]]'' and ''[[AG001|Get the Show on the Road!]]''.
* Just like [[Ash's Bulbasaur]], [[Dawn's Piplup]] stopped evolving in the middle of the evolution process.
* Both own a {{p|Cyndaquil}}.
* Both released a fully evolved Pokémon from their current team for training during the the ''Diamond and Pearl'' saga.
** Both are part of a two-evolution family and their base forms relate to Generation II.
* In ''[[DP088|Camping It Up!]]'', Dawn rented an affectionate {{p|Grimer}} whose behavior is similar to that of [[Ash's Muk]].
* Both Ash and Dawn have a parent that is their role model: Ash wants to be a Pokémon master like his dad and Dawn wants to be a top Coordinator like her mom.

==Notable PearlShippers==
* {{an|Lyra}}

==Alternate names==
* '''AADL''', occasionally used, standing for '''A'''sh '''A'''nd '''D'''awn '''L'''ove.
* '''ShinouShipping'''; please note that this name conflicts with {{s|FortuneShipping}}, the pairing of {{ga|Lucas}} and {{ga|Dawn}} in the games, also referred to as ShinouShipping.
* '''Sakari''', also occasionally seen, a name taken from '''Sa'''toshi and Hi'''kari'''.
*'''SatoHika''' which is taken from '''Sato'''shi and '''Hika'''ri.

==On Bulbagarden forums==
* [http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/showthread.php?t=17204 PearlShipping General Discussion]

==External links==
* [http://fan.akuseru.org/sakari/ The fanlisting for PearlShipping]

{{-}}
{{Project Shipping notice}}
[[Category:Shipping|PearlShipping]]
[[Category:Anime ships|PearlShipping]]
[[Category:Ships with Ash]]
[[Category:Ships with Dawn]]
[[ja:サトヒカ]]

User:Anonymodude

2010-04-08T02:46:06Z

Anonymodude: Created page with 'Hello, i am new to Bulbapedia, i joined to do a quick edit of the page DP118 - Pursuing A Lofty Goal! XD'

Hello, i am new to Bulbapedia, i joined to do a quick edit of the page DP118 - Pursuing A Lofty Goal! XD

DP118

2010-04-08T02:30:06Z

Anonymodude:

{{EpicodePrevNext|
prevcode=DP117 |
prevtitle=Noodles! Roamin' Off! |
nextcode=DP119 |
nexttitle=Trials and Adulations! |
series=Diamond & Pearl series |
colorscheme=Sinnoh}}
{{EpisodeInfobox|
epcode=DP118 |
altepcode=EP584 |
colorscheme=Sinnoh|
screen=yes |
title_en=Pursuing a Lofty Goal!|
title_ja=ポケリンガ！天空大決戦！！ |
title_ja_trans=PokéRinger! Big Decisive Sky Battle!! |
broadcast_jp=March 12, 2009 |
broadcast_us=August 8, 2009 |
en_series= |
en_op=[[Battle Cry - (Stand Up!)]] |
ja_op=[[High Touch!|ハイタッチ！]] |
ja_ed=[[Surely Tomorrow|あしたはきっと]] |
olmteam=Team Iguchi |
scenario=米村正二 |
storyboardn=2 |
storyboard1=日高政光 |
storyboard2=山本珠代 |
directorn=1 |
director=浅田裕二 |
artn=1 |
art=岩根雅明 |
morecredits=yes |
epstaffpage=DP111-DP120 |
footnotes=*[[filb-eppics:dp118|Screenshots on Filb.de]]
}}
'''Pursuing a Lofty Goal!''' (Japanese: '''ポケリンガ！天空大決戦！！''' ''PokéRinger! Big Decisive Sky Battle!!'') is the 118th episode of the {{series|Diamond & Pearl}}, and the 584th episode of the [[Pokémon anime]]. It first aired in Japan on March 12, 2009 and in the United States on August 8, 2009.
{{spoilers}}
==Synopsis==
{{Ash}} and {{ashfr|his friends}} spot the town of [[Squallville]]. A strong gust of wind hits the group, causing {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}} to fly out of {{an|Dawn}}'s hands. She quickly catches her [[Pokémon]]. They notice a {{TP|Jessie|Yanmega}} and a {{p|Wingull}} racing for a ring in the sky, which Ash and {{an|Brock}} immediately recognize as the [[PokéRinger]].

Ash races to the arena to get a closer look at the competition while Brock fills Dawn in about the PokéRinger. Yanmega gets the ring first, dodges the Wingull, and places it on the goal, winning the match. Yanmega's {{pkmn|Trainer}} is actually [[James]] as he snubs his practice partner before walking away. Ash and his friends meet up with James, which spooks him at first. [[Jessie]] and {{MTR}} watch from a distance as James maintains his disguise and tells them about the upcoming PokéRinger competition. Piplup wants to participate, but it can't fly. Ash decides to sign up with {{p|Staravia}}.

Fireworks start as the competition prepares to get underway, Dawn noticing the crowd size. Brock points out that the winner is made an honorary citizen of the town while Ash mentions the second prize of a large amount of [[Pokémon food]]. Jessie is doubtful about lending Yanmega to James, but he is confident at participating. [[Rhonda]] of [[Sinnoh Now]] covers the event with her crew as she runs into {{si|Jack}}'s boom as usual. She mentions that the battles are single-elimination.

The first match starts with Ash against {{si|Taylor}}. Dawn and Brock watch fro the stands as the ring balloon is deployed, as well as Ash and Taylor's balloons to the set elevation. The round starts as Ash sends out Staravia while Taylor summons {{p|Skarmory}}. Both race to the ring as Staravia gets it first, racing to the goal. Skarmory fires {{m|Swift}}, which hits and causes Staravia to drop the ring. Skarmory steals it and goes for the goal as Staravia tries to catch up. Skarmory turns around and executes a {{m|Fury Attack}}. Staravia dodges continually, eventually causing Skarmory to drop the ring, allowing Staravia to steal and bolt. Skarmory gets ahead and uses {{m|Sand-Attack}} to blind Staravia before launching {{m|Air Cutter}}. Staravia is unable to dodge, but a wind gust pushes it out of the way. Staravia recovers as another Air Cutter heads towards Staravia. Staravia gets closer before using {{m|Aerial Ace}} to dodge and race to the goal, planting the ring and giving Ash the first win. Ash congratulates his Pokémon.

The second match reveals the four-time defending champion [[Provo]]. His opponent surprises everyone as [[Paul]]'s name is announced, getting Ash's attention as he encounters Paul. Paul brushes him off and and gets into his balloon as Ash vows to beat him in the competition. Dawn and Brock know that Paul is merely using the competition for {{pkmn|training}} as Dawn knows that Paul will use {{TP|Paul|Honchkrow}}. The round starts as Paul deploys Honchkrow while Provo calls on {{p|Dragonite}}. Honchkrow goes first as Dragonite fires {{m|Dragon Pulse}}. Honchkrow dodges and gets the ring as Dragonite turns and uses {{m|Fire Punch}}, missing. Dragonite hits with {{m|Dragon Rush}}, causing Honchkrow to drop the ring into free fall. Both race for the ring, Honchkrow getting it first and racing to the goal. Dragonite attempts another Dragon Rush as a wind gust kicks up. Paul has Honchkrow ride the wind and land a {{m|Sky Attack}}, which [[Unable to battle|knocks out]] Dragonite thanks to Honckrow's {{a|Super Luck}} [[ability]]. Paul wins that round with only one strike, which makes Ash slightly uneasy.

[[Steveland]]'s {{p|Skiploom}} fights against James's Yanmega. The round starts, but neither makes a move at first, waiting for the wind to kick in. James predicts a wind from above, but instead it comes from below and confuses Yanmega. Skiploom rides it and grabs the ring, heading for the goal. James then predicts an upward current and tries to have Yanmega ride the wind, but his bad judgement takes its toll as a downward current makes Yanmega plumett towards the ground. This helps Skiploom easily win the match for Steveland. James then tells Steveland that the Sinnoh winds are hard to predict (maybe as James is used to predicting the Hoenn winds in the Advanced Generation) and will learn from his mistakes. The competition jumps ahead as the final match comes down to Ash and Paul. Ash looks forward to battle while Paul is silent.

The final round of the PokéRinger competition starts with Ash summoning Staravia and Paul choosing Honchkrow. Staravia gets the ring first. Honchkrow uses Sky Attack while Staravia counters with {{m|Brave Bird}}. The attacks create a huge explosion, but Staravia takes damage and goes into a free fall, Honchkrow emerging relatively unharmed and rushing with {{m|Night Slash}}. Ash has Staravia dodge with {{m|Quick Attack}} before heading towards the goal. Honchkrow fires {{m|Dark Pulse}}, hitting and Staravia briefly loses the ring, quickly grabbing it and bolting to the goal. A strong gust of wind halts Staravia as Honchkrow rides the wind, powering up Aerial Ace. The attack misses as Staravia tries to overcome the repulsion, but to no avail. Honchkrow continues to put pressure with Aerial Ace, eventually striking Staravia and knocking the ring out of Staravia’s beak. Honchkrow takes possession of the ring. Both bird Pokémon exchange glares before racing towards the goal. Staravia goes into Aerial Ace, but Honchkrow moves aside, the attack passing harmlessly. Ash quickly has Staravia come down with Quick Attack, stealing the ring right out from Honchkrow’s beak. While Staravia races towards the goal, Paul orders Honchkrow to strike with Sky Attack, hitting Staravia. As he attempts a follow-up Night Slash, Ash has Staravia retaliate with Quick Attack. However, Honchkrow anticipates this, dodging the attack and striking with Night Slash, sending Staravia to the ground, though it still holds the ring. Dawn comments on how Paul predicted the Quick Attack and that Staravia may not be able to match Honchkrow.

Ash tries to encourage Staravia to get up, but Paul snubs him before ordering a finishing Sky Attack. Staravia seems immobile as Honchkrow bears down, but Ash's encouragement gets it back into the air. Staravia spreads its wings before it begins to glow, starting the [[evolution]] process. Its wings and feather tails grow as the evolution completes with {{AP|Staraptor}} ready to fight. Ash checks his [[Pokédex]] as Staraptor growls at Honchkrow. Not backing down, Paul has Honchkrow use Night Slash, both of the Pokémon’s wings glowing. Staraptor easily dodges the attacks, but Honckrow eventually lands a hit and Staraptor loses the ring. Both go after it, repelling each other before Honchkrow stalls Staraptor with a Night Slash. Staraptor quickly races towards Honchkrow, gets parallel and proceeds to attack with {{m|Close Combat|close range strikes}}. Dawn recognizes the new [[Move|attack]] as Close Combat before Staraptor pushes Honchkrow back with a wing strike. Brock comments on how the Fight-type move is especially effective against a {{type2|Dark}} like Honchkrow. Excited, Ash has Staraptor go for the ring. Staraptor grabs it and races for the goal. Honchkrow tries to hit with Night Slash, but Staraptor dodges, gets behind and attempts Brave Bird. Honchkrow turns around and hits with Sky Attack, the two moves creating a powerful explosion and sending the ring away. Both Trainers order their Pokémon after it. Honchkrow gets farther ahead and almost grabs the ring, but Ash has Staraptor punch the ring with its wing onto the goal. Staraptor races forward and does so before Honchkrow can grab it, sending the ring onto the goal. Ash and Staraptor win the PokéRinger giving Ash his first overall win against Paul.

Back on the ground, Paul scolds Honchkrow telling it they lost due to its slow reactions before recalling it and then after a quick glance at Ash leaves without a word. Afterward, Ash poses for a picture with Pikachu and Staraptor as he gets a plaque and the prize of Pokémon food. Since there's so much food Ash decides it should be eaten right away and Dawn sends out {{cat|Dawn's Pokémon|her Pokémon}} to eat. However {{TP|Dawn|Mamoswine}} quickly devours it, leaving everyone upset and Dawn's Pokémon angry.

At sunset, as Paul leaves the area, Ash catches up with him and gloats that the {{p|Starly}} [[DP003|he thought was worthless]] evolved into Staravia and now is a powerful Staraptor. Paul simply responds that he considers it to have taken far too long before walking away. Dawn is upset at this response, but Brock tells her its just Paul's way. Dawn then tells Ash she knows he'll do great at [[Snowpoint Gym]] and Ash is more certain than ever he'll win now he has Staraptor on his team. And so, the episode ends with both Ash and Staraptor looking forward to the challenges ahead.


==Major events==
* {{Ash}}, [[Paul]] and [[James]] enter a [[PokéRinger]] competition with {{p|Staravia}}, {{TP|Paul|Honchkrow}} and {{TP|Jessie|Yanmega}} respectively.
* Ash's Staravia evolves into {{AP|Staraptor}} and learns {{m|Close Combat}}.
* Ash defeats Paul for the first time and wins the [[PokéRinger]] competition.

===Debuts===
====Pokémon debuts====
* [[Ash's Staraptor]]

==Characters==
===Humans===
* {{Ash}}
* {{an|Dawn}}
* {{an|Brock}}
* [[Jessie]]
* [[James]]
* [[Paul]]
* {{si|Taylor}}
* [[Provo]]
* [[Steveland]]
* [[Sinnoh Now]] staff
** {{si|Rhonda}}
** {{si|Jack}}
* Other competitors
* Audience

===Pokémon===
* {{p|Pikachu}} ({{OP|Ash|Pikachu}})
* {{p|Meowth}} ({{TRM}})
* {{p|Staravia}} ({{OP|Ash|Staravia}}, evolves)
* {{p|Staraptor}} ({{OP|Ash|Staraptor}}, newly evolved)
* {{p|Piplup}} ({{OP|Dawn|Piplup}})
* {{p|Buneary}} ({{OP|Dawn|Buneary}})
* {{p|Pachirisu}} ({{OP|Dawn|Pachirisu}})
* {{p|Ambipom}} ({{OP|Dawn|Ambipom}})
* {{p|Mamoswine}} ({{OP|Dawn|Mamoswine}})
* {{p|Yanmega}} ({{OP|Jessie|Yanmega}})
* {{p|Wobbuffet}} ({{OP|Jessie|Wobbuffet}})
* {{p|Honchkrow}} ({{OP|Paul|Honchkrow}})
* {{p|Skarmory}} ({{si|Taylor}}'s)
* {{p|Dragonite}} ([[Provo]]'s)
* {{p|Skiploom}} ([[Steveland]]'s)
* {{p|Fearow}}
* {{p|Noctowl}}
* {{p|Swellow}}
* {{p|Wingull}}
* {{p|Swablu}}
==Trivia==
* An instrumental version of ''[[Advance Adventure]]'' is used as background music.
* James makes a comment on Ash and his friends not being able to recognize him if he paid them. This is a reference to Ash and his friends' usual inability to recognize Team Rocket in even their worst disguises.
* This episode is similar to ''[[AG080|That's Just Swellow!]]'' in multiple ways.
** Ash enters the PokéRinger with his Flying-type Pokémon, while James enters with one of Jessie's Bug-types.
** Both episodes involve an overconfident former champion who gets knocked out in the first round.
** Ash's Pokémon evolves and helps him win the contest
** Ash's Pokémon hits the hoop over the goal section by hitting it with its wings in the final.
** Even the background music used near when they hit the ring withs its wing is used in both episodes.
* [[Professor Oak's lecture]]: {{p|Abra}}.
[[File:MissingPlumage.jpg|thumb|200px|Staraptor's missing plumage]]
===Errors===
* Staraptor's white plumage on its breast disappears in one scene.
* Brock says that Staraptor's Close Combat is super effective against {{type2|Dark}}s such as Paul's Honchkrow. While this is technically correct, Honchkrow's {{type2|Flying}} makes it take regular damage from {{type2|Fighting}} moves.

===Dub edits===

{{EpicodePrevNext|
prevcode=DP117 |
prevtitle=Noodles! Roamin' Off! |
nextcode=DP119 |
nexttitle=Trials and Adulations! |
series=Diamond & Pearl series |
colorscheme=Sinnoh}}
{{Project Anime notice}}
[[Category:Diamond & Pearl series episodes|118]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Shōji Yonemura|584]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded by Masamitsu Hidaka|584]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded by Tamayo Yamamoto|584]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Yūji Asada|584]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Masaaki Iwane|584]]
[[Category:Episodes in which a main character's Pokémon evolves|584]]
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Ash|584]]
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Paul|584]]
[[Category:Episodes in which a main character's Pokémon learns a new move|584]]

[[de:Poké Ringer! Tenkuu Dai Kessen!! (Episode)]]
[[ja:DP編第118話]]
[[pl:DP118]]