TB076: All Fired Up!

is the 76th episode of Pokémon: Indigo League.
==Synopsis==
On the day before the Pokémon League Tournament, Ash, Brock and Misty watch as the torchbearer runs by on his way to Indigo stadium. They learn that it is the flame of a Moltres, a legendary Pokémon that stands for the whole spirit of the Pokémon League that lights the torch. Ash's excitement and nervousness build up to the next morning as he joins the other trainers in the march of the athletes. But, its Team Rocket once again who tries to spoil the moment when they attempt to steal the flame of the Moltres.
==Episode plot==
As the heroes arrive at Indigo Plateau, Ash suddenly bursts with excitement, causing Misty and Brock to believe he is mad and Togepi to cry. Ash explains that when he thinks of the League, he cannot subdue himself from the joy. Misty confesses she never saw him this confident, but Brock knows this will change tomorrow, when the League begins. As they arrive at the outskirts at the League, the people suddenly cheer, making Ash believe they're cheering for him. However, they pass him and the heroes turn around, seeing a torchbearer. Brock and Misty explain when the League starts, the torchbearer lights the fire of a Moltres to symbolize the beginning of the competition.
Ash believes he will catch and train Moltres, since it is more than a legend, but Misty discourages him since he'd train it like Charizard. Nevertheless, Ash wants to carry the torch. He goes to the torchbearer and asks if he could carry it, but Jenny comes and tells him only the approved competitors can carry the torch. Ash still wants to do it (as he shows the badges), but Jenny clarifies only approved ones can carry. However, an old man believes he has the spirit what it takes to carry the torch. Ash thinks this man is Santa Claus, but Jenny introduces the man as Charles Goodshow, President of the Pokémon League Torch Committee. Misty tells the others that he does not look like a President, but Ash knows that looks shouldn't matter, while Charles supports him, as deeds should be more important. Charles asks Ash if he'd like to carry the torch and Ash accepts.
Soon, the torchbearer gives Ash the flame. Ash tells Pikachu the flame is quite important and goes to the path to the League and is supported by the people between, with Jenny, Charles, Brock and Misty following him in the van. Team Rocket sees this and know they will take the torch to the HQ. As the van and Ash go, a crack opens in the ground, making the van fall in the hole. Ash soon sees Team Rocket is after the torch, as Meowth goes on him and scratches his face. Ash throws the flame and Meowth catches it, but burns himself. Pikachu gets the flame, while James sends Victreebel to soothe the flames. However, it gets burned as well and chases after Team Rocket, threatening to incinerate them as well. Ash, knowing that he'll regret this action, sends Squirtle, who uses Water Gun to douse the flames. Team Rocket is grateful, but still go to get the torch.
James goes to get it, but gets electrocuted by Pikachu. Ash and Jessie catch the torch and argue. Squirtle goes on Jessie and stretches her mouth, but Meowth tickles Ash, which causes him to lose the torch and Team Rocket depart with it. Though Misty, Brock, Charles and Jenny climb up, Ash is depressed he lost the flame. Charles goes to him and reveals his secret - he gets a lantern out with Moltres' fire, explaining if the torch goes out, the lantern would share the fire and reignite it to resume the journey to the Plateau. Meanwhile, Team Rocket wants to maintain the fire, but when Meowth turns the heat up, the flame burns Team Rocket and douses out, leaving them empty-handed.
After a while, Ash gives Misty the torch and later Misty to Brock. From a distance, Ash sees the Plateau, while Charles comments tomorrow it will be filled with many people. In front of the Plateau, Brock gives Charles the flame. Charles expects them to be at the opening, to which the heroes agree. When they enter the village near the Plateau, Gary tells Ash he is late. Ash gets riled up and tells him he will win the League. Gary responds a real trainer would study his/her competition, tells Ash he needs to go away else he'd catch "loseritis" and walks away with his cheerleaders. During the night, Ash remembers what Brock, Misty and Gary told him and promises to prove them wrong by winning. He dresses up and walks away, though Misty wakes up and feels he is scared. Charles studies the stadium and notices Ash. Ash has doubts, but says he should give his best. Charles quietly admits to himself that Ash has spirit.
Next day, the opening commences. The trainers go in the stadium. Brock and Misty notice Ash and Pikachu nervous, while Gary seems confident. The final torchbearer appears and goes to the top to light the central torch. She is approached by two figures. Ash, sensing trouble, runs to the top, saying not to give the torch to the figures, but one of the figures snatches the torch, as the figures then reveal themselves as Team Rocket. Ash goes to take the torch back, but James sends Weezing, who uses Smog. Worse, Team Rocket enters a machine, who takes the central torch away. Charles is horrified as without the central torch, the opening ceremonies can't proceed. Meowth tells to get the Pokémon, so the machine hops to the center, causing chaos as trainers scatter in terror as Team Rocket make a mockery of the event. Pikachu electrocutes the robot, but it is electric-proof. Ash then tries to have Bulbasaur attack with Razor Leaf, but the leaves only add fuel to the fire. Team Rocket advance on Ash and his Pokémon, soon having them trapped against a wall and ready to incinerate them with the torch. Brock and Misty shout for Ash to run for it, but Ash does not back down, refusing to let the Pokémon League be marred by Team Rocket's actions, and tells them to give him their best shot. Team Rocket attacks, and Misty screams Ash's name, as the torch engulfs Ash, Bulbasaur and Pikachu in fire. However, they notice they don't take damage, much to the confusion and puzzlement of Team Rocket. Suddenly, Moltres appears, and Team Rocket realize they are in serious trouble and can only scream in horror as Moltres strikes and destroys the machine, blasting Team Rocket, burnt and charred, off over the horizon as punishment for trying to ruin the Pokémon League.
With the central torch back in position and Moltres being the fire, Charles makes a speech. He welcomes the trainers and clarifies the ones who truly love Pokémon will fight in here, as the fire burns brightly than ever. Ash thanks Moltres and says to Pikachu they finally came here.
==Debuts==
===Character===
*Charles Goodshow
==Quotes==
:"(on Charles Goodshow) Is that Santa Claus?" - Ash
:"Let the games begin! (giggles wickedly)" - James mocking the Pokémon League
:(Team Rocket incinerate Ash and his Pokémon, but they are unharmed, much to Meowth, Jessie, and James' confusion)
:Meowth: "What happened?!"
:Jessie: "The kid should be crisp."
:(Moltres appears, and dives on Team Rocket's machine to punish them for their actions. Team Rocket go from confused to terrified.)
:Jessie: "I think our plan..."
:James: "Backfired!!"
:Meowth: "(screams)"
:(Moltres strikes, and the machine is blown to smithereens. Team Rocket, burnt and singed, in a triangle formation, fly off towards the horizon)
:Team Rocket: "Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again...!!! (ding)"
==Trivia==
*After Ash gets the fire from the torch, the "Gotta Catch 'Em All" theme song is played, which included the second verse.
*The Pokémon League opening ceremony has some similarities with the opening ceremony of the Olympics, such as how if the flame is extinguished en route to the host city of the Olympic Stadium, a backup flame is used to reignite it.
*The "Who's that Pokémon?" in this episode is Seaking.
==Gallery﻿==
==References==
Category:Episodes featuring a Pokémon League
Category:Episodes focusing on Ash
Category:Episodes focusing on Team Rocket
Category:Episodes featuring Legendary Pokémon