GS150: A Claim to Flame!

is the 57th episode of Pokémon: Master Quest.
==Synopsis==
After arriving at Silver Town, Ash runs into his favorite person: Gary! Gary is set on entering the Silver Conference, and is determined that this time he will be able to make it all the way, and beat Ash!
While Gary huffs his way into the Pokémon Center, Brock leads the way to the Athlete's Village. On the way, they bump into Mr. Goodshow, who is giving out balloons to greet the and, as part of his duties as Pokémon League Torch Committee President. Ash promises Mr. Goodshow that he will give it his all in the Silver Conference, which cheers Mr. Goodshow up even further than his normal level of cheer.
Meanwhile, Team Rocket are working at a restaurant in order to try and get some money, but wind up eating their way out of a job. Ash, Misty, and Brock make it to the Athlete's Village, where they are treated to a luxury room, with a networked computer. They immediately head to the Trainer Screening, where trainers use their one best Pokémon to try and qualify for the Silver Conference.
Ash is called to the floor to take on Salvador from Cherrygrove City, and the computer determines that Ash must draw his Pokémon first. He chooses Pikachu against Salvador's Furret. Furret's Dig seems to get the best of Pikachu, and goes in for a Headbutt to finish things off. Pikachu manages to jump on top of it before Headbutt can land, and performs a powerful Thunderbolt that leaves Furret vulnerable to a Quick Attack. That is enough to win the battle, as Ash gets his first victory. Phanpy and Cyndaquil take out Ash's next two opponents, allowing Ash to move on to the Semi-Finals!
Harrison made it through the Screening as well, along with Gary. Mr. Goodshow reminds Ash that only 16 trainers will be able to move from the Semi-Finals on to the Victory Tournament, but Ash is determined to win it all, no matter what! Later that night, Ash is unable to sleep, and takes Pikachu for a walk along the shoreline.
They stumble upon Gary, who is also out to clear his head. Gary reminisces about the day he left Pallet Town, which also happened to be the day Ash got his Pikachu. Gary compliments Ash on how he was able to tame Pikachu's wild streak, to the point where they are now best friends. Who knows where they might have ended up is things turned out differently? Gary sees the possibilities awaiting both him and Ash, but that won't let him be stopped from trying to win it all in the Tournament! While continuing their friendship, the rivalry is still strong between the two trainers.
Waiting for the Silver Conference torch to arrive in Silver Town, Ash is approached by two people looking to get him to apply for the Footprint Pokémon Panel. When he goes to sign what he believes to be paperwork, the people are revealed to be Team Rocket, who tie Ash up and take Pikachu! Gary finds Ash tied up and goes to stop Team Rocket, who manage to bump into the Torch Runner along the way. Pikachu Thunderbolts Team Rocket, blasting them off, but the Torch Runner is hurt.
While Gary cares for the injury, Ash runs the torch for him, lighting the flame in the stadium, signaling the beginning of The Johto League Silver Conference!
==Episode plot==
Ash has registered for the Johto League and is ready to battle. Brock and Misty stop him, as he has not read the guidebook. Gary appears and greets Ash, as he came to the League with all his Pokémon. Ash tells he will beat him, but Gary responds Ash has the same naive look and claims the latter was lucky to win. He leaves confidently, so Ash wants to defeat him once and for all. The heroes go sightseeing and encounter Charles Goodshow, the president of the Torch Committee, who gives out balloons. He thinks the balloons would sponsor the League. Charles knows Ash came to the League and asks of him to show what real battles are about. Ash promises to do that.
Meanwhile, Team Rocket works at a local restaurant. A girl asks Jessie where is her hamburger. Jessie replies it will be done soon, so the girl tells "the old lady to hurry up". James intervenes, taking Jessie into the room, as she is furious being called an old lady. Meowth thinks "the customer is always right" and gives Jessie the hamburger for the girl, but Jessie eats that and the other food, claiming "the old waitress" is always right. Meowth, James and Wobbuffet tried to stop her, but they got hungry and joined her. Then they all got fired and kicked out by the manager. The heroes come to their room and are amazed by its luxury. However, Brock reminds Ash to view the screen for the battles. The heroes watch some battles at the battlefields. Brock reads from 200 trainers, only 48 can pass into next round.
However, one can advance into next round with at least one loss. Ash now faces Salvador for the first battle. The screen chooses Ash to send his first Pokémon. Ash sends Pikachu, while Salvador his Furret. Pikachu starts with Thunderbolt, but Furret uses Double Team to create illusions. Furret uses Swift to fight back, hitting Pikachu, who uses Quick Attack. However, Furret went underground using Dig and attacks Pikachu, continuing this tactic. Furret uses Swift to hit Pikachu and goes to defeat it using Headbutt. Pikachu goes on Furret and does not let go of it, so Furret goes into the hole. However, Pikachu uses Thunderbolt, damaging Furret. With a Quick Attack, Furret is defeated.
Ash asks Salvador is Furret okay. Salvador thinks it will, so he and Ash trade compliments. Ash used Phanpy's Take Down to attack Machoke and Cyndaquil's Flamethrower on Exeggutor, defeating both Pokémon. The heroes watch the screen and see Harrison, Gary and Ash made it into next round. Mr. Goodshow comes, wondering if it will go smoothly as they think. Charles explains there will be three trainers in semi-finals, and one of them, who got most victories, will advance to the Victory Tournament; only 16 challengers will compete for the finals. Ash admits that only makes him more confident, as he wants more and more victories.
During the night, Ash cannot sleep, nor can Pikachu, so they go for a walk. Ash explains to Pikachu there will be a lot of trainers, who want to win as much as they want. Ash notices Gary and joins him, as they both cannot sleep. Gary notices the full moon and remembers it was the same as when Gary started his journey. He remembers Ash was late to Prof. Oak's lab and got Pikachu, who was stubborn. However, he sees Pikachu is now his best friend and ace Pokémon. Gary believes that if he didn't watch the moon that night or if Ash did not come late, they might've been in two different parts of the world, different dreams and doing things. Ash wonders why Gary is thinking about these things, so Gary replies there are much more possibilities for them in the future. Still, both of them are determined to win and defeat each other.
Next day, the opening ceremony is about to start. Oak sees it is started and tells Tracey to come watch. Ash's mom, Mimey and Prof. Elm also watch the ceremony. Ash tells he will wave his hands at the stadium, so Misty and Brock can spot him. Ash joins the trainers, but gets approached by Jessie and James in disguise, who present him a footprint, for he'll need to use it, else he'd be disqualified. Gary gets concerned and wonders what Ash is doing. Ash gets tied up, as Jessie and James drop their disguises, as they, joined by Meowth, take Pikachu away. Misty and Brock do not see Ash, who tries to break out. Gary opens the door and is told by Ash that Team Rocket got Pikachu.
Team Rocket runs away, but gets chased by Gary and Ash. The torch runner comes and crashes into Team Rocket, so both Pikachu and the torch are dropped. Luckily, Ash gets Pikachu and Gary the torch. Team Rocket tries to run off, but Pikachu uses Thunderbolt, blasting them off into the sky to the surprise of several nearby Trainers. Ash and Pikachu are glad their enemies are gone, but the torch runner is injured and has to deliver the torch. However, Gary has an idea. Ash enters the stadium, carrying the torch, pleasing his mom and her Mr. Mime, but also making Oak and Tracey very surprised. Ash lights the general torch, starting the League. Charles tells the trainers the Ho-Oh flame watches over them and they shouldn't regret a moment during the League.
==Debuts==
===Character===
*Darren
*Salvador
==Trivia==
*The "Who's that Pokémon?" is Scizor.
*When Ash's opponent sent out a Furret, Misty stated "I figured a Ground type would be stronger against an Electric type". While this may be interpreted as Misty calling Furret a Ground type, it is more likely her asking why Furret was brought out instead of a Ground type.
==Gallery==
==References==
Category:Episodes featuring a Pokémon League
Category:Episodes focusing on Ash