DP051: Glory Blaze!

is the 51st episode of Pokémon: Diamond & Pearl.
==Synopsis==
The good news for Ash and his friends is that they've entered a tag battle tournament in Hearthome City and everyone made it past the first round. The bad news? Paul is Ash's partner and the two of them just can't get along. Before the second round, Paul has his Pokémon team up against Chimchar to deliver some harsh training. Even Team Rocket thinks Paul is being cruel to Chimchar! It's all too much for Ash, who insists on taking Chimchar to the Pokémon Center.
At the Pokémon Center, Brock asks Paul to explain himself. Paul describes how he first met Chimchar: it was cornered by a group of relentless Zangoose and looked to be in serious trouble. Pushed to its limit, Chimchar let loose with a mighty Flame Wheel that knocked out all its foes! Paul immediately asked Chimchar to join him, but since that day, Chimchar hasn't been able to recapture that same power. And now, Nurse Joy and Brock tell Paul he has to give Chimchar a rest.
But at the tournament the next day, Paul sends Chimchar in to battle alongside Ash's Turtwig. What's worse, their tag battle opponents are fielding a Metagross and a Zangoose! Once again, Ash and Paul simply can't cooperate. Paul doesn't even care when Chimchar's Flame Wheel hurts Turtwig! But when Chimchar freezes in fear at painful memories of its battle with the group of Zangoose, Turtwig still comes to the rescue.
Disgusted, Paul turns his back on Chimchar, and Ash gives Chimchar and Turtwig commands so they can win the battle. After the match, Paul releases Chimchar—for good. As Paul walks away, Ash asks the unhappy Chimchar if it wants to come with him instead...
==Episode plot==
Ash trains with his Pokémon, even if it is in night. Staravia uses Aerial Ace, while Pikachu, Aipom and Turtwig spin to dodge. Ash wants them to battle like that, but he spots something is fired. Nurse Joy had quite a day, as she had to treat a lot of Pokémon from the Tag competition. Brock goes to help Nurse Joy, even if Holly is a bit jealous to see that. Conway discusses the strategies with Dawn. Dawn realizes that the closer the Pokémon and person are, the stronger they get. Dawn sees her Piplup and they blush, giving Dawn an idea - to tell Ash about this. Conway still thinks Ash is the enemy.
Chimchar faces Paul's Pokémon: Ursaring, Torterra, Murkrow and Elekid. Elekid uses Thunder, Torterra Hyper Beam, Murkrow Shadow Ball and Ursaring Focus Blast. Chimchar protects itself using Flame Wheel. Ash comes and wants to know what is going on. Paul orders Chimchar to use Flamethrower, but accidentally hits Ash, which prompts it to go see if he okay. Team Rocket also knows training Chimchar like that is rude. Ash compliments Chimchar's power, which it appreciated, but Chimchar nervously returns to training. Ash wants to know why such training, but Paul tells him it is not his business. Ash reminds him they are a tag team. Paul tells him he wanted a real battle. Dawn arrived and tells him he is rude to everyone.
Paul reveals he wanted Chimchar to be much more stronger. If this was not the case, Chimchar would be released, as it would be useless. Ash advises him to work on his strong points, but Paul thinks it would be pointless. This was what Chimchar wanted, as it confirms this. Ash tells it has other ways to be stronger. Paul leaves with his Pokémon, including Chimchar. Team Rocket are also sad to see Chimchar being treated like that, though Jessie thinks with cooperation, Chimchar would help them get the bell.
Chimchar continues its training. Ursaring uses Hammer Arm, though Chimchar passes through its legs to evade. Still, it gets hit by Torterra's Leaf Storm. Murkrow uses Sky Attack and hits Chimchar, despite Paul's order to counter with Flamethrower. Chimchar goes to stand up, but it is too exhausted and passes out. Elekid uses Thunder "to wake it up", but Pikachu comes to stop it and warns the Electric Pokémon to leave his friend alone. Elekid goes to attack Pikachu for interfering, but Ash and Dawn come to stop this madness. While Ash picks up an exhausted Chimchar, Dawn tells Paul that he did more enough to the Chimp Pokémon. Ash brings Chimchar to the Pokémon Center so it can get treated for its injuries. While Brock treats Chimchar, Holly's suspicions are gone, seeing he is quite a medic. Holly is confident to win with Brock, but Ash and Dawn want to prove her wrong. Brock knows Chimchar will be okay after a rest, but has a discussion with Paul.
Brock is told Paul put Chimchar through some painful training, while Team Rocket overhears. Brock can tell Chimchar will be powerful, but this brings some painful memories. Brock wants to know why such training, though Paul tells everyone wants the same result, though he knows a day. He caught a Ninjask and it was windy. Chimchar was going from tree to tree, while the Zangoose chased them. Zangoose were very offensive and chased it. Chimchar was at the end of a cliff and the Zangoose cornered it. They were about to attack, but Chimchar activated Blaze and defeated them all with a single Flame Wheel. Paul was very impressed by this Chimchar and offered it to come with him. Chimchar agreed to this.
Paul was confident to win the Pokémon League, but was unable to power up Chimchar like that. Paul put it up through such training, to witness that power again and have it. Everyone agrees that Chimchar needs rest, or its health will be ruined; even Nurse Joy confirms this. Paul leaves without a word. Next day, the Tag competition continues. After some fights, Paul and Ash go to battle. Ash sends Turtwig and Paul his Chimchar. Everyone is shocked by Chimchar's appearance, though Chimchar still wants to battle. Ash tells Turtwig to protect Chimchar, which it greatly appreciated from both of them. The Trainers send Metagross and, unluckily for Chimchar, Zangoose.
Ash tells Paul Turtwig will take care of Zangoose, but Paul ignores him and tells Chimchar to attack. Metagross uses Bullet Punch, and Chimchar goes to use Flamethrower, but gets scared by Zangoose's appearance. Turtwig uses Razor Leaf, but gets countered by Zangoose's attacks, so Chimchar gets hit by Bullet Punch and Turtwig with X-Scissor. Chimchar digs, but Metagross uses Magnet Rise, evading Chimchar's Dig. Zangoose attacks Chimchar, so Turtwig goes to tackle it, but misses. Turtwig is pushed away by Psychic, while Zangoose uses Crush Claw. Chimchar is scared, making Paul displeased, but Turtwig bites Zangoose's hand to stop it from attacking.
Metagross goes to use Bullet Punch. Paul, much to Ash's shock, orders Flame Wheel on Turtwig. Despite Chimchar's hesitations, Paul demands this, so Chimchar attacks Turtwig, Zangoose and Metagross. Turtwig is badly damaged by this effect. Zangoose uses Crush Claw, stopping Chimchar to use Flame Wheel. Chimchar goes to use Flamethrower, but it is too frightened to attack. Turtwig bashes Zangoose off with Razor Leaf, though the Tiny Leaf Pokémon falls down from exhaustion. Zangoose uses Fire Blast on Turtwig, though Chimchar protects it, standing in its way. Chimchar's Blaze activates and Ash demands Paul to order a command, but he simply stands. Metagross uses Bullet Punch and charges, while Paul simply turns away. So, Ash orders Chimchar to use Flamethrower. Metagross is defeated, making everyone shocked by this turn of events. Zangoose goes to use Crush Claw, but misses Turtwig, as it spins, then retaliates with Razor Leaf, then tackles Zangoose and defeats it.
Ash and Paul won. Tomorrow there are four teams, including Ash, Paul, Brock, Holly, Dawn and Conway, with two unnamed Trainers. Though Ash compliments Turtwig and Chimchar, the Chimp Pokémon is more worried about Paul. Later, Paul, who had enough, releases Chimchar as it tried to change his mind, but to no avail. After Ash, Dawn, Brock, Pikachu, Piplup and Turtwig arrive as they realize what he just did to Chimchar, Paul confirms with everyone that it was the end of the special training and will get a new -type Pokémon. Chimchar gets ready to return to the wild but stops when Ash, who had an idea, asks it to come with them.
==Debuts==
===Pokémon===
*Paul's Ninjask
===Move===
*Focus Blast
*Bullet Punch
*Magnet Rise
==Trivia==
*Professor Oak's Pokémon lecture: Bronzong
*Music from Lucario and the Mystery of Mew and Pokémon Symphonic Medley are used as background music.
*The title is a reference to the phrase "Going out in a blaze of glory", as well as the song "Glory Days" by Bruce Springsteen.
*By Your Side ~Hikari's Theme~ Winter Version replaced the Pop-Up version of the song as the Japanese ending theme.
===Mistakes===
*In the English dub, when Chimchar uses Flame Wheel on Turtwig, Holly says: "That's awful!" but it shows that Dawn's speaking.
==Gallery==
==References==
Category:Episodes focusing on Ash
Category:Episodes focusing on Paul