DP002: Difference between revisions

{{an|Dawn}} is riding her [[Bicycle|bike]] down {{rt|202|Sinnoh}} when she stops and runs down a grass field, releasing her {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}}. As they sit and watch the clouds, Dawn decides to {{pkmn2|caught|catch}} her first {{OBP|Pokémon|species}}. A {{pkmn2|wild}} {{p|Buneary}} pops out of the grass and she scrambles to check it with her [[Pokédex]]. She knows that weakening it in {{pkmn|battle}} will make it easier to catch, so she sends Piplup into battle, opening with {{m|Bubble Beam}}. She is psyched at calling her first attack, but Buneary jumps up to dodge. Piplup follows up with {{m|Peck}}, but Buneary jumps aside and uses {{m|Dizzy Punch}} to [[fainting|knock out]] Piplup in one shot. Dawn rushes forward to grab her Piplup, but Buneary bounces off her head and runs away. Piplup is upset at failing, but Dawn cheers him up.

Dawn rides along the path, Piplup riding in the front basket, as she maps out her plan to become a [[Pokémon Coordinator]], starting with participating in the {{ci|Jubilife}} {{pkmn|Contest}}. Dawn spots a {{p|Burmy}} hanging off a branch and checks it with her Pokédex. Piplup jumps out of the basket and attacks with Bubble Beam right away, the attack removing Burmy's [[List of Pokémon with form differences#Burmy and Wormadam|Plant Cloak]] and causing it to fall off the branch. Dawn applauds Piplup for succeeding, but Piplup frantically points to Burmy scrambling to put its Plant Cloak back together. Dawn remarks on how fast Burmy could go, but Piplup still frantically points to Burmy. Dawn fumbles for a {{i|Poké Ball}}, but by the time she gets it ready, Burmy has already gone. Dawn sinks to her knees in defeat as Piplup consoles her this time. Dawn mentions that she can make mistakes just like Piplup, which does not sit well with the Pokémon.

Piplup hears the bushes rustling nearby as Dawn turns to the source. A {{AP|Pikachu}}, which belongs to {{Ash}}, stumbles out from behind the bush, collapsing with exhaustion as Dawn checks her Pokédex. Although the [[type]] disadvantage is present, Piplup is willing to take a shot, firing off Bubble Beam. Despite being exhausted, Pikachu manages to use {{m|Thunderbolt}} to negate the attack. Piplup follows up with Peck, but Pikachu launches another Thunderbolt to overpower Piplup, sending him flying backwards into Dawn's bike, roasting it in the same manner as {{an|Misty}}'s and {{an|May}}'s bikes. Pikachu scratches his head in apologetic embarrassment, as Dawn is furious at losing her bike, throwing the Poké Ball. The Poké Ball opens and tries to pull Pikachu in, but the energy field dissipates, sending the Poké Ball back to Dawn. Dawn realizes that this Pikachu already has a {{pkmn|Trainer}}. Pikachu runs away, but a {{TP|Jessie|Seviper}}, {{TP|Jessie|Dustox}}, and {{TP|James|Cacnea}} cut him off, surrounding the injured Pokémon. {{MTR}} steps out, the {{pkmn2|talking}} ability shocking Dawn as she checks her Pokédex. [[Jessie]] and [[James]] step out as well with {{TP|Jessie|Wobbuffet}} and {{TP|James|Mime Jr.}} in tow as they confront Dawn. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt to shock {{TRT}}, but the other Pokémon attack, forcing Pikachu to dodge.

As Dawn watches angrily, she notices Piplup and decides to help out, Piplup firing Bubble Beam to clear the way as they shield Pikachu. Team Rocket recites their {{motto}}, but it has little impact on Dawn since Team Rocket has not spread to [[Sinnoh]]. Dawn knows that Pikachu does not belong to Team Rocket, Pikachu clinging to Dawn. Jessie's Seviper attacks Piplup with {{m|Wrap}}, binding him as Team Rocket decides to take Piplup as well as Pikachu. Piplup uses Bubble Beam on Seviper, releasing its grip. Meowth sends the three Pokémon forward, but Piplup's Bubble Beam and Pikachu's Thunderbolt stops them and sends Team Rocket blasting off. Dawn and the Pokémon celebrate, but Pikachu collapses with exhaustion. Dawn picks up Pikachu and they head to the [[Pokémon Center]]. At the Center, [[Nurse Joy]] treats Pikachu as Dawn explains what happened. Dawn calls [[Johanna|her mother]] and informs her about her progress. Dawn admits that she could not catch a Pokémon yet. Dawn and Piplup argue about who was at fault, and Piplup attacks Dawn while her mother and her {{TP|Johanna|Glameow}} watch. After the scuffle, Dawn contacts [[Professor Rowan]] and talks about the encounter with Team Rocket. Dawn informs the professor that she wants to find Pikachu's Trainer before heading off to [[Jubilife City]].

Meanwhile, [[Ash's Aipom]] looks around from atop a tree. Ash calls to Aipom, and she slides down, not being able to spot Pikachu. Ash and Aipom walk away to continue their search. [[Officer Jenny]] eventually finds Ash sitting off the side of the road. After telling her of the situation, Officer Jenny gives Ash a ride to Professor Rowan's lab. When Ash meets the professor, Rowan hands over Aipom's Poké Ball before mentioning that his Pikachu is in Dawn's possession. After hearing that, Ash and Rowan place a call to the Pokémon Center, but Nurse Joy mentions that Dawn already left to try to find Pikachu's Trainer. Ash runs out of the lab and heads to the Pokémon Center to try to catch up with Dawn.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket hikes along a road, exhausted after being beaten. James looks up as the group finds James's second summer cottage, where he would go when the first one needed to be cleaned. They enter the cottage, finding the furniture covered and the curtains closed. James opens the curtains as the Pokémon lounge on the couch. James enters another room and finds a box holding his first bottle cap collection. Among the caps, James pulls out a Poké Ball and recounts the Pokémon he played with before. He throws the ball up, releasing the Pokémon, which is a {{TP|James|Carnivine}}. The Pokémon happily bites James's head and hugs him, much like his {{TP|James|Victreebel}}. Jessie wants to eat as James calls for his servant over the phone. Team Rocket feasts on several courses as James thanks Mr. Cheeves. Mr. Cheeves then goes on to tell James that he notified his family and that they, along with [[Jessebelle]], are flying out the next day, much to James's horror. Later on, as the Pokémon play video games, James informs the team that they must leave before his family arrives or else Team Rocket is history, knowing that Jessebelle and his parents would make him marry her. Meowth places a call to {{an|Giovanni}} as they announce their plan to set up in Sinnoh. Though Giovanni does not sound enthusiastic, he approves their plan.

Back at the lab, Rowan manages to contact Dawn, identifying Pikachu's Trainer and that he is heading in her direction. Dawn and the Pokémon head back to Route 202 to cross paths with Ash. Dawn mentions that it would be faster with her bike, Pikachu scratching his head in guilt. Meanwhile, Ash and Aipom run along the path when a truck pulls up alongside and {{an|Brock}} steps out of the cab. Brock introduces Ash to the driver, [[Claudina]]. Brock recounts on how he met her in [[Pewter City]] and that they have been on the road. He plans to go back with her, believing he has a shot, but Claudina answers her phone, upsetting Brock when he finds out it's her boyfriend on the line and that she has to leave. Claudina pulls away, leaving Brock upset. Brock puts it aside to partner up with Ash once again. At that point, Brock notices Pikachu is missing.

As they walk, Ash brings Brock up to speed on what happened, Brock is astounded that Team Rocket has not given up. Ash checks the map for the Pokémon Center that Dawn was at. Aipom swings through the trees and crashes into a wild {{p|Starly}}, starting a fight. Ash wants to stop the fight, but Brock notices the Pokémon, prompting Ash to check his Pokédex. Ash pulls a Poké Ball out, intent on capturing the {{2t|Normal|Flying}}-type Pokémon to look for Pikachu. Aipom backs off to launch a {{m|Swift}} attack. It lands, but Starly uses {{m|Whirlwind}} to blow the smoke away. Aipom prepares a {{m|Focus Punch}}, but Starly uses {{m|Quick Attack}} to knock Aipom down before following up with {{m|Wing Attack}}, smacking Aipom several times. Aipom manages to land the Focus Punch, harming Starly enough so Ash can throw the Poké Ball. Starly goes in and the ball rattles before locking, the catch a success. Ash holds up {{AP|Starly}}'s Poké Ball in success, but suddenly feels upset that Pikachu was not around to see it. Brock reminds Ash that he caught Starly to help find Pikachu, so he brings Starly back out and they continue searching. Meanwhile, Dawn, Pikachu and Piplup also continue their search for Ash while [[Paul|another Trainer]] was watching Ash's catch, remarking that he wouldn't bother with a Pokémon which was that easy to catch.