AG131
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At the End of the Fray
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First broadcast
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English themes
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Japanese themes
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Credits
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At the End of the Fray (Japanese: 最後の激闘！優勝への道！！ Conclusion of the Fierce Fighting! The Road to Championship!!) is the 131st episode of the Advanced Generation series, and the 405th episode of the Pokémon anime. It was first broadcast in Japan on June 16, 2005 and in the United States on March 25, 2006.
Blurb
It's the battle between Ash and Tyson to decide who moves on to the final four of the Hoenn League, and Glalie and Sceptile are already out! Tyson's Shiftry is ill-matched against Ash's Torkoal and its fiery attacks, but Tyson sends in Hariyama to beat the heat and defeat Torkoal. Corphish is next, but Hariyama defeats it too!
At the halftime break, Morrison tries to give Ash a pep talk. When the match resumes, Swellow and Hariyama battle until Swellow is the victor. Swellow then goes on to beat Tyson's Donphan, but Tyson has a powerful Metagross waiting! Despite Swellow's determination, Metagross knocks it out—but Swellow did some damage, and Ash sends Grovyle out to hammer on that weak spot. Grovyle still can't stop Metagross but Pikachu finishes the job, so Tyson sends out the ace up his sleeve: his Meowth!
Team Rocket's Meowth cheers its fellow Pokémon on from the stands. Tyson's Meowth can counter Pikachu's Thunderbolt with one of its own, so the battle comes down to Iron Tail vs Iron Tail. Exhausted, both Pokémon finally fall to the ground, and though they get back up, Pikachu cannot continue. Team Rocket's Meowth is delighted, but not for long—Jessie and James have been caught stealing Pokémon by their new boss, who sends all three flying! Tyson goes on to win the Hoenn League and Ash, happy that he battled his best, can now look forward to his next big adventure.
Plot
The explosion from Ice Beam and SolarBeam knocks out both Glalie and Sceptile instantly. With both Ash's and Tyson's Pokémon being simultaneously eliminated, the stage is set for an amazing battle.
Meanwhile, Team Rocket is presented with a run-down shack as their new boss directs them to remodel the establishment. Jessie walks over to the weak structure and it collapses before her eyes. Wobbuffet is quick to give his seal of approval. James notices that Meowth is missing.
On the battlefield, Shiftry and Torkoal battle it out. Torkoal continues launching Flamethrower as Shiftry evades Torkoal's attacks. Shiftry responds with a Shadow Ball attack which collides with its target for a direct hit. Torkoal is blasted backwards but recovers from the attack. Torkoal goes for another Flamethrower attack but as Shiftry evades this second round of attacks, Torkoal ascends into the air still firing the Flamethrower and hits Shiftry for heavy damage. After the dust clears, Shiftry is announced as unable to battle.
Tyson decides to choose Hariyama for his third Pokémon choice. Torkoal begins with another Flamethrower attack as Hariyama blasts forward with an Arm Thrust reflecting the Flamethrower attack. May and Max are surprised that Flamethrower isn't slowing down Hariyama one bit. Brock explains that Hariyama is covered with a special fat that helps to defend against Fire and Ice attacks. When Hariyama is within range, he strikes down with a Brick Break, knocking Torkoal unconscious.
Ash selects Corphish as his third Pokémon. Hariyama goes for another Brick Break attack, slamming into the ground, while Corphish manages to evade the attack. Corphish and Hariyama blast forward with their Crabhammer and Focus Punch. The combined strength causes an explosion that sends both Corphish and Hariyama backwards, but Corphish is the one left unable to battle. This leaves Ash with only three additional Pokémon, ending the first stage of the battle.
Meowth waits patiently for Tyson to release his Meowth. Morrison lectures Ash, telling him that he can't lose to anyone else in the tournament since Ash managed to defeat him. Ash agrees and asks Pikachu if he would assist him in the second half of the grueling battle. Pikachu approves with a nod and determined cry.
Meanwhile, Team Rocket has come upon the room which holds all the participant's Poké Balls. James also adds that since these are tournament Pokémon, that they must be extraordinarily powerful.
The second half of our battle to begin with the battlefield now changing to rock terrain. Ash calls upon Swellow for his fourth Pokémon selection and Tyson chooses Hariyama. Swellow thrusts forward with a Peck attack, but Hariyama grasps onto Swellow and prevents it from moving. Hariyama rotates into the air and slams Swellow down in a Seismic Toss. After a few moments, Swellow recovers and continues on the attack. Hariyama charges for a Focus Punch while Swellow counterattacks with an Aerial Ace. Focus Punch hits the illusion and Swellow's Aerial Ace strikes Hariyama. The surprise attack knocks Hariyama out.
Tyson chooses Donphan for his fourth Pokémon. Donphan begins with a Sandstorm attack. Swellow manages to clear the Sandstorm with its wings just as Donphan hits a boulder and propels itself skyward, hitting Swellow with Rollout. Donphan goes into another Rollout attack hitting Swellow multiple times, each more powerful than the last. As Donphan moves for one last Rollout attack, Swellow manages to halt Donphan by catching it with its legs. Swellow lifts Donphan and propels it towards the ground. Donphan crashes and is declared unable to battle. Swellow seals an impressive victory, leaving Tyson with only two more available Pokémon.
A solitary Poké Ball rotates from Tyson's hand, as Metagross is called upon by Tyson. Metagross begins the battle with a Psychic attack, freezing Swellow in place. Swellow manages to break free of the Psychic attack and blasts forward with Quick Attack. As the two forces clash, Swellow is thrust backwards taking the full damage from its own attack. Metagross continues with a Hyper Beam, knocking Swellow out of the match.
Ash does not hesitate in this competition and chooses Grovyle for his fifth Pokémon. Grovyle is eager to battle and closes in on Metagross while using Bullet Seed. While Grovyle continues its barrage, Metagross launches a Hyper Beam attack. Grovyle evades the attack and repeats Bullet Seed. Grovyle launches forward for a Leaf Blade attack but Metagross manages to recover and counterattack with a Meteor Mash knocking Grovyle unconscious and unable to battle.
Ash selects his faithful companion Pikachu for his final attack. Pikachu bolts forward with a Thunderbolt attack hitting directly, but with little effect. Metagross retaliates with a Psychic attack, but Pikachu manages to avoid the psychokinetic waves and use Iron Tail. Afterward, it grabs onto Metagross's body and delivers an electrifying Thunder, knocking Metagross out of the competition. This magnificent victory leaves both Tyson and Ash with only one Pokémon each.
Tyson calls upon Meowth as his final Pokémon. Team Rocket's Meowth cheers for Tyson's Meowth, despite having been shunned by it the previous night. Meanwhile, Team Rocket is stealing the participants' Poké Balls, their employer smashes through the door with uncontrollable anger.
Pikachu begins the final match-up with Thunderbolt, which Meowth matches with its own Thunderbolt. Pikachu follows up with Thunder attack, which Meowth also counters with Thunderbolt. Following the clash of both attacks, the stadium fills with electrical energy. Ash decides to take the battle into close range with a Quick Attack, which Meowth dodges by using Double Team. The two Pokémon clash with Iron Tail attacks, evenly matched. The two clash once more with Meowth's Slash and Pikachu's Quick Attack. Pikachu launches a devastating Thunder attack as Meowth once more defends against the attack with a Thunderbolt. Pikachu thrusts forward with Iron Tail as Meowth counterattacks with its own Iron Tail. Both attacks hit directly,and as both sides take heavy damage. Both Pokémon struggle to continue the battle, both panting for air. After a tense standoff, Pikachu collapses to the ground and Tyson is declared the victor. Both Trainers meet in the middle of the battlefield and congratulate each other. Morrison managed to become emotionally attached to the battle as much as Ash.
Team Rocket are on the escape from the old man employer as Meowth shouts out from the sidelines. Jessie and James are surprised to reunite with Meowth, but this enables the boss to catch up with them and send Team Rocket blasting off with a powerful punch.
The Hoenn championship finally concludes, revealing Tyson as the Tournament Victor. May is surprised that Tyson actually managed to claim first place, but attributes it to their gourmet dining. Brock regains a sense of battle pride and grows interested in participating in battling once more.
Morrison is eager to inform Ash that at the next tournament, he will finally defeat Ash. The curtain finally closes on an amazing Hoenn League Championship.
Major events
- Ash continues his battle against Tyson and loses.
- Tyson advances to the semi-finals, then to the finals, and becomes Champion of the Ever Grande Conference.
- For a list of all major events in Pokémon the Series, please see the timeline page.
Debuts
Characters
Humans
Pokémon
Pokémon Trainer's Choice: Mawile
- Pikachu (Ash's)
- Meowth (Team Rocket)
- Wobbuffet (Jessie's)
- Swellow (Ash's)
- Grovyle (Ash's)
- Corphish (Ash's)
- Torkoal (Ash's)
- Glalie (Ash's)
- Meowth (Tyson's)
- Metagross (Tyson's)
- Sceptile (Tyson's)
- Donphan (Tyson's)
- Shiftry (Tyson's)
- Hariyama (Tyson's)
Trivia
- The dub title comes from the phrase "At the end of the day."
Errors
- In the dub, Brock says that because of Hariyama's Thick Fat Ability, Fire and Ice attacks "don't even do half the damage they normally would," but in the games, damage is halved.
- Brock incorrectly refers to Metagross's Hyper Beam as SolarBeam in the dub. However, Max correctly states afterward that Metagross's move renders it unable to move for a while.
- In the Italian dub, during the first ten minutes of this episode, all voices and audio effects (except Italian voice actors' voices) are lower than normal. This problem is later solved.
- Both times that Pikachu's Thunder and Meowth's Thunderbolt collide, the commentator erroneously remarks about the two colliding Thunderbolts.
- When Tyson's Metagross uses Meteor Mash, the crack on its forehead left by Ash's Swellow's Quick Attack is gone, but it returns later.
Dub edits
Pokémon Trainer's Choice
- Question: Trainers, which of these Pokémon does not evolve?
- Choices: Baltoy, Mawile, Aron
- Answer: OK, Trainers! If you chose Mawile, you were right!
In other languages
| Language | Title | |
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| Mandarin Chinese | 最後的激戰！通往優勝之路！！ | |
 Finnish
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Lorun loppu | |
 French
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Un match décisif | |
 German
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Und der Gewinner ist? | |
 Italian
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Lotta per il podio | |
| Portuguese |  Brazil
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No Fim da Luta |
 Portugal
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No Fim do Combate | |
| Spanish |  Latin America
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Al final del combate |
 Spain
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El final del campeonato | |
 Swedish
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Upplösningen* | |
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This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation. |
