DP016: A Gruff Act to Follow!

is the 16th episode of , and of .
==Synopsis==
Paul has just won his badge at the Oreburgh Gym, but he's reluctantly persuaded to stick around and watch Ash's battle the next day. Ash is in the middle of strategizing for the match when he finds out that Paul gave away his Azumarill because it wasn't tough enough, which only makes Ash dislike Paul's style even more! Meanwhile, Team Rocket are touring the Oreburgh Mining Museum to get a closer look at its Fossil Restorer machine, the key to their latest criminal plot.
When Ash's battle finally begins, Roark sends out Cranidos first and Ash uses Aipom to counter with speed and agility. However, Cranidos can be pretty nimble too, and it wins its round. Pikachu is up next, but Cranidos is still going strong and Pikachu just isn't having much of an effect. Paul gets up to leave in disgust, which gets Ash and Pikachu fired up. Roark responds by having Cranidos use its powerful Head Smash, and Ash has to bring in Turtwig to finally knock out Cranidos.
Roark's Onix comes in and defeats Turtwig in one hit, so now it's all up to Pikachu. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt to break up the field so Onix can't maneuver as quickly, a clever strategy until Onix brings the battle to a Screech-ing halt! Not only is Ash's match over, but he's been defeated in front of his rival Paul. Now he's going to have to figure out a way to get back on track!
==Episode plot==
Paul thinks Ash wants him to see him lose. Dawn and Pikachu stop the arguing and she tells why not just stay to watch. Paul has no idea who she is, making her angry. Dawn reminds him, but he does not remember, so Brock rushes to calm her down. Ash wants the battle, but Roark asks to have it tomorrow, as he and his Pokémon are exhausted. Ash accepts this and has only to wait.
Team Rocket disguised themselves as scientists and want that fossil. They agree to research for a while and see the huge fossil. A scientist named Kenzo approaches them and asks where he could show the museum. They want to see the machine that restores the fossils, so he takes them to the tower where the machine is. He shows them the machine and the place where the fossilized Pokémon live.
Paul receives his Poké Balls, while Ash decides which Pokémon to use. Brock suggests Turtwig, who is effective against Rock-type Pokémon. With Turtwig's Razor Leaf, Aipom's Focus Punch, and Pikachu's Iron Tail, Ash has decided to use the three of them. Staravia is sad, but Ash promises to choose him next time. Brock tells that Roark nearly won because of speed. Ash thinks of this, while Paul tells to copy him. Ash is disgusted, as he remembers well how he treated Chimchar. Nearby, a boy comes and thanks Paul for Azumarill. Ash now sees Paul gave away the Azumarill because it got defeated. Ash tells him that it can be trained, but Paul tells it was a lost cause and leaves. Dawn thinks what Chimchar and Elekid think of Paul's strategies.
Team Rocket still plan to revive the fossil and see the blueprints of the room where the machine is stored. They remember Kenzo placed a fossil and it takes a day to be revived - an Omanyte was the result. They think they could work at the mines and revive the fossils, though Jessie tells that the workers dig the fossils, while they revive them. Giovanni would be proud that they conquered Sinnoh region.
At the Gym, the battle is about to commence. Roark sends Cranidos, so Brock tells Dawn he wants to see Ash's surprise. Ash sends Aipom, who starts with Focus Punch. Cranidos charges with Headbutt and jumps, giving Aipom some damage. Cranidos uses Flamethrower, though Aipom saves herself using Double Team. Aipom uses Swift, but misses. Aipom uses Focus Punch and Cranidos Zen Headbutt. Aipom is thrown back and defeated.
Ash sends Pikachu. Pikachu starts with Thunderbolt, but misses. Cranidos retaliates with Zen Headbutt, but gets stopped by Iron Tail. Cranidos uses Headbutt and Pikachu jumps, but Cranidos jumps as well and hits Pikachu. Pikachu tries to use Thunderbolt, but gets canceled by Zen Headbutt. Cranidos uses Headbutt and hits Pikachu. Paul leaves, but sees Pikachu is back to his strength and decides to stay. Pikachu uses Quick Attack and Cranidos tries to stop him with Flamethrower, but Pikachu evades and uses Iron Tail on it. Cranidos uses Head Smash and Pikachu Volt Tackle, so they both are taken aback.
Ash calls Pikachu back and sends Turtwig. Turtwig uses Razor Leaf, but gets canceled by Flamethrower. Turtwig dodges and goes to bite, but gets attacked by Zen Headbutt. Cranidos uses Flamethrower, but Turtwig emerges and uses Razor Leaf, finally defeating Cranidos. Still, it was one Pokémon, so Roark has two left. Roark sends Onix. Turtwig uses Razor Leaf, but Onix dodges and counters with Double Edge. Ash has no choice but to send Pikachu. Pikachu uses Iron Tail and is countered by Slam. This causes damage to both Pokémon. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt on the field. Onix uses Double Edge, but gets stopped by the rocks of the battle field. Pikachu charges with Quick Attack, but gets stopped by Screech. Pikachu is thrown against a stone and while he looks okay, he falls down defeated.
Ash goes to get Pikachu. Paul leaves, calling that pathetic.
==Debuts==
===Move===
*Head Smash
==Trivia==
*This is the second time Ash lost his first Gym Battle since Showdown in Pewter City.
**Interestingly, Ash battled Brock and Roark, both of which specialize in -type Pokémon.
*This is the last episode where Sarah Natochenny voices Nurse Joy's Chansey, Emily Jenness took over the role beginning with One Big Happiny Family!
==Gallery==
==References==
Category:Episodes focusing on Ash
Category:Episodes focusing on Paul
Category:Episodes featuring Gym Battles
Category:Episodes featuring Ash losing a Gym Battle