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A Claim to Flame! (Japanese: シロガネリーグかいまく！シゲルふたたび！ Silver League Opening! Shigeru Again!) is episode 266 of the Pokémon anime. It was first broadcast in Japan on September 19, 2002 and in the United States on September 17, 2003.

Ash has finally arrived in Silver Town but he hasn't qualified for the Silver Conference yet. Between paperwork, a tough qualifying battle against a Furret, Team Rocket's latest attempt to capture Pikachu and more delays for the Ho-Oh flame, Ash has a lot to overcome.

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

Synopsis

The gang finally reaches Mt. Silver, just in time for the biggest event in Silver Town, the Johto League championships! Just after registering at the local Pokémon Center, the gang walks out to check out the town. Soon Gary comes along and greets Ash. Both of them catch on what's happening, but Ash gets a little uncertain with Gary coming along in the tournament (since after all, he lost twice to him).

The gang decides to look around town for a while. The whole place is celebrating the tournament thats about to come. While looking around, Ash notices Charles Goodshow handing out balloons to kids. He goes up and greets him, since after all it has been a while. It seems like Charles came here to watch the event, and it looks like he even knows a few pointers here and there about what's going on. Charles says he'll explain everything about the tournament, since after all, they're both here and he knows pretty much what's going on.

Back in the Pokémon Center, Charles starts to talk about what's going to happen. The league is different this time in events, but it's mostly the same idea. Just outside the Pokémon Center is the battle fields where the qualifying rounds are. The rules in this are simple, one on one sudden death. After that, those who qualified will go through a small tournament which a group of selected trainers will battle each other, 3 Vs 3 for points. Then, it's the final tournament where 16 trainers battle it out for a full battle. Charles heads off to take care of some errands. For now, the gang decides to find their room. The room is a luxury suite almost, complete with large rooms, restaurant-like table, and a network computer. They take a load off.

That night, Ash couldn't get any sleep. He gets out of bed, accidentally waking Pikachu up. They both go out for a walk, Ash talking to Pikachu about this whole thing. But down some ways, they see Gary. Gary notices them and both of them have a talk. They just try to forget about the tournament and act like friends, after all, they can't get rivalry out of hand when it isn't needed. But both are still determined to win the championship.

The gang wanders around the battle area, watching various trainers battle each other in fenced fields. Soon an announcement is called for Ash to battle, and so Ash heads off to where he'll fight his opponent. In the arena, Ash faces a typical boy trainer. The turn roulette spins and lands on Ash, making him go first. For this fight, Ash sends out Pikachu, the boy on the other hand sends out a Furret. Ash goes for the speed tactic for this match and tells Pikachu to start off with Quick Attack. The boy however tells Furret to Dig underground. As soon as Furret is underground, Pikachu's confused at where the Furret will pop up. Finally the Furret jumps from right behind Pikachu and attacks.

The situation looks grim, all Furret has to do is Dig. Finally Ash gets an idea that just might work. Pikachu does another Quick Attack, but this time as soon as Furret digs, Pikachu goes in after it. Then Ash gets his chance and tells Pikachu to do a massive Thunderbolt. Pikachu's jolt fills up all the holes, leaving no room for Furret to escape. Both Pokémon come out on opposite ends, Furret doesn't look too good. Pikachu simply finishes the ferret off with a Quick Attack.

Team Rocket on the other hand has a few things up their sleeves. Even though they already set up a shop in the festival area, there's probably some way to get back Ash, and this would be the perfect time.

The next few battles Ash wins easily. At the end of the day, the gang stands in the Pokémon Center to wait for the results of the tournament. There's a large list of trainer's portraits. Ash finds Harrison and soon him. But somewhere down the road is Gary. Ash gets a little shaken but Gary comes by with a few taunting words. As always this gets Ash flared up, but he calms down, seeing that he needs to get to the opening ceremonies. When Ash gets to the stadium, he's greeted by a few unknown people who tell him that there's another way he can get in. But the people, it's Team Rocket, and they also managed to get Pikachu.

Brock and Misty are watching the event from the bleachers and watch as all the qualified trainers walk by. Even Professor Oak, Elm, and Delia watch from TVs. However, they notice Ash isn't there. Gary also notices that Ash isn't around and he goes off to find him. He finds Ash eventually through Ash calling out. Both of them head off to find Team Rocket, who aren't very far. However, as soon as they catch up with the Rockets, the trio run off, right into the torch runner! This causes the Rockets to drop Pikachu and give a chance to attack. Ash tells Pikachu to get them a Thunderbolt and soon the Rockets are blasted away.

All seems well, except the runner twisted his ankle when the Rockets collided into him. There just seems to be no choice but for either Ash or Gary to run the rest of the way, Gary says that he'll take care of the runner, Ash runs off with the torch.

Now everyone in the stadium is worried, since the expected time for the runner to show up has passed. Just when things look bleak, Ash makes it to the arena and runs up to the stairs to light up the big torch.

It looks like the battles have only just begun.

Major events

• Ash, Gary and Harrison qualify for the Silver Conference.
• Ash and Gary help to deliver the Ho-Oh flame to allow the conference to begin.

Debuts

Characters

Humans

• Ash Ketchum
• Gary Oak
• Harrison
• Misty
• Brock
• Mr. Goodshow
• Professor Oak
• Tracey Sketchit
• Delia
• Professor Elm
• Salvador

Pokémon

Who's That Pokémon?: Scizor

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Togepi (Misty's)
• Cyndaquil (Ash's)
• Phanpy (Ash's)
• Mr. Mime (Delia's)
• Furret (Salvador's)
• Machoke
• Exeggutor

Trivia

• Harrison does not have a speaking role in this episode.

Ash vs. Salvador: Ash Won

Errors

• Misty says that Furret is a Ground Pokémon. It is actually a Normal Pokémon, however, it is in the Ground egg group.

Dub edits

In other languages

• French: La cérémonie d'ouverture

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