Template:EpisodePrevNext

Curbing the Crimson Tide (Japanese: 摩天楼の赤いイナズマ！ The Red Lightning of Skyscrapers!) is episode 166 of Advanced Generation. It was first broadcast in Japan on March 2, 2006 and in the United States on November 18, 2006.

While going through Komoda City, Ash and his friends hear about "Red Lightning", a person who wears a cloak and is said to perform Pokémon techniques himself. Even though he can use Pokémon attacks and speak human language, "The Red Lightning" seems to be frightened of being around people.

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

Synopsis

A bright and sunny day begins our story as a gust of wind blows through the city. Three young boys stand in an alleyway confronting the Red Lightning. One of the young boys call out their Poilwag, as the Red Lightning makes for this attack and Poliwag launches an Ice Ball attack towards the Red Lightning. The Red Lightning launches forward with a Hyper Beam attack knocking Poliwag out and unable to battle. The Red Lightning strides over and leaves his mark upon his defeated foe. The Poliwag's trainer rushes to his rescue, as the Red Lightning disperses into the atmosphere.

Ash now with his fourth Battle Coin, his next destination is the Battle Tower. Our heroes walk along a sidewalk inside of the city as Ash goes on search for the nearest Pokémon Center. Brock quickly locates the Joy of the Pokémon Center and begins his usual romantic speech. After a few moments, Max drags Brock off into the distance. Suddenly, the three boys arrive at the Pokémon Center and display his Poliwag to Joy. Joy recalls of a past expierence with a trainer whom also came upon The Red Lightning who also defeated the young boy's Gulpin in the same manner.

Nearby, Team Rocket are in janitor's clothing planning as usual to attempt to capture the defeated Pokémon. Meanwhile, May is outside underneath of a tree, as she dilligently studies information concerning Pokéblocks and feeds Eevee a Pokéblock. Munchlax is quick to notice and begins to complain as May offers him a Pokéblock also. May then recalls Munchlax, Combusken, and Eevee back into their Poké Balls as she examines them closely seeming to think that one is missing. After a few seconds, she realizes that Squirtle is missing as she goes on the search of it. May finally catches up to Squirtle whom is smelling the nearby flowers. A gust of wind engulfs a nearby Butterfree whom is lifted off into the sky. The Red Lightning arrives on the scene offering May a Pokémon battle. The Red Lightning doesn't give May much of a choice as he thrusts forward with his usual Hyper Beam attack. Squirtle avoids this attack and counterattacks with a Water Gun. As The Red Lightning decends towards Squirtle dodging Squirtle's water attacks, he finally gains a lock onto Squirtle and strikes down with a final Hyper Beam knocking Squirtle unconscious. The mark of The Red Inamazma is left as evidence of Squirtle's defeat.

Inside of the Pokémon Center, Ash notices that majority of the Pokémon have the same weird markings that the young boy's Poliwag had. May arrives on the scene with her Squirtle and Red Lightning's marks. Ash and heroes head out on the search of this "Red Lightning". A scream is heard from the distance as Ash rushes over to find a young girl and her Chansey defeated by the Red Lightning. May looks in the general direction and locates the Red Lightning about to make his escape. Ash persues the Red Lightning as Pikachu explodes toward with a Volt Tackle. Pikachu makes for a Thunderbolt attack as the attack misses and the Red Lightning moves in to take advantage of the situation. A Hyper Beam is launched in Pikachu's general direction as Pikachu uses its Volt Tackle attack to richochet off of a nearby wall and just barely dodge the attack.

When the trio lands on the ground, a net explodes from the distance as Team Rocket make their appearance on the scene. The Red Lightning finally realizes that Team Rocket is after him, as Meowth turns around and fires another net in his direction. The Red Lightning quickly dodge the Rocket's attack as everyone heads in the general direction that The Red Lightning was headed. Ash and heroes temporarily form a truce with Team Rocket as everyone boards the balloon and heads towards Lightning. Lightning finally arrives at his destination as a young girl is seen holding a small notebook computer. With a press of a button, one of the n earby trees rocket into the sky and collides into Team Rocket just as Ash and gang escape from the explosion. Ash observes her and Lightning as she notices them in the distance. A sophisticated man comes from the house as he comes to give apologies for her actions. She is quick to interrupt him as Ash is more than ready for a Pokémon battle. Pikachu moves into position as Lightning begins with another Hyper Beam attack. Pikachu uses his Volt Tackle to explode into the sky and respond with a Thunderbolt. Lightning launches his counterattack with a Swift attack. Both attacks collide and explode in the arena thrusting Lightning's cape off of his body and revealing him to be a Scizor. Pikachu begins with another Volt Tackle blasting towards Scizor but Pikachu relalizes that it can't fly.

Ash then says that he will match Scizor's speed with his own as he then calls upon Sceptile. As Scizor flies off into the distance, Sceptile is right behind him scaling the nearby buildings. Lightning then rotates around to launch another Hyper Beam attack just as Sceptile moves to avoid the attack. A gust of wind throws Sceptile in the direction of the attack as it collides for a direct hit. Sceptile begins falling uncontrollabely but finally recovers gripping onto a skyscraper. Sceptile notices the gusts within the city and uses them to his advantage to float through the air creating the temporary effect of flight. Sceptile then comes down with a devasting Leaf Blade knocking Scizor unconscious towards the ground. Sceptile then rotates toward the ground to rescue Scizor by reflecting off of nearby skyscrapers and succesfully saves Lightning from his impending disaster.

With the Lightning's defeat now within grasp, Ash and heroes turn around to question her about her actions. The old man then begins to explain how her parents had left her at a young age. May goes over to comfort the young girl suggesting to her a Pokémon battle. This battle will consist of Scizor versus Squirtle. Scizor begins the battle with a Swift attack as Squirtle withdraws in defense. Squirtle launches a Water Gun towards Lightning but he quickly avoids the attack. Squirtle then follows up with an Ice Beam attack which quickly freezes the ground and causes Lightning to loose his balance. Squirtle begins rotating at a high speed along the icey battlefield as Lightning moves to dodge but is too late as Squirtle blasts into the sky colliding with Scizor for a direct hit. Both Pokémon crash into the ground as Squirtle returns to the ground and Scizor being knocked unconscious. A new frontier waits ahead of our everlasting heroes. (Written by: bgtfamily)

Major events

Debuts

Characters

Humans

• Ash Ketchum
• May
• Brock
• Max
• Jessie
• James
• Nurse Joy
• Luna (Seiyū: 植田佳奈)
• Butler (Seiyū: 三宅健太 Kenta Miyake)
• Hiroshi (Seiyū: 西村ちなみ Chinami Nishimura*)
• Boy (Seiyū: 佐藤智恵 Chie Satō*)
• Boy (Seiyū: 林原めぐみ Megumi Hayashibara*)

* No official credit was given for this character.

Pokémon

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Wobbuffet (Jessie's)
• Sceptile (Ash's)
• Combusken (May's)
• Munchlax (May's)
• Squirtle (May's)
• Eevee (May's)
• Scyther / Scizor (the Red Lightning, Luna's) (Seiyū: 石塚運昇 Unshō Ishizuka*)
• Poliwag (Hiroshi's)
• Gulpin (Boy's)
• Chansey (Girl's)
• Butterfree
• Marill
• Jumpluff
• Heracross
• Phanpy
• Mudkip
• Shroomish
• Azurill
• Corphish
• Snorunt

* No official credit was given for this character.

Trivia

• 私、負けない！ 〜ハルカのテーマ〜 I won't lose! ~Haruka's theme~ debuted as an insert song.
• The opening バトルフロンティア (Battle Frontier) was changed to スパート！ (Spurt!)

Errors

Dub edits

In other languages

• French: Le fantôme rouge!

Template:Epstub Template:EpisodePrevNext

This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of the Pokémon anime.