DP004: Dawn of a New Era!

is the 4th episode of , and of .
==Synopsis==
Dawn is still trying to catch her first wild Pokémon, but Ash's coaching isn't helping at all and both Trainers are getting annoyed. The outlook suddenly gets much brighter when Nando, a traveling Pokémon bard, has his Budew use Sunny Day to lighten the mood. To show Ash her skills, Dawn requests a Contest battle with Nando, but Budew's Grass-type moves are too tough for Piplup. Budew wins and our heroes head to a Pokémon Center, where they learn that Nando can't decide whether to dedicate himself to Pokémon Contests or Gym battles.
To help him decide, Ash and Dawn set off to find Nando again, only to end up deep in the forest. It's too late to get back to the Pokémon Center, but three very familiar and suspicious-looking individuals offer them a free inn room for the night. Of course, it's all another Team Rocket scheme to snatch Pikachu! Nando and his Budew come to the rescue, and now it's Ash's turn to ask Nando for a friendly battle.
Ash decides to use Pikachu to battle Budew. Nando's style may be elegant, but even though Budew evolves into Roselia during the match, it's still not enough to defeat Pikachu. Still, Nando had so much fun battling Dawn and Ash that he's decided to do both Gym battles and Pokémon Contests! Our heroes say goodbye to Nando with promises to meet again, then continue their journey towards Dawn's first Contest and Ash's first Sinnoh Gym battle.
==Episode plot==
Dawn is about to capture a Buneary. However, she forgot to enlarge her Poké Ball, so Ash reminds her of this. Dawn throws her Ball, but accidentally throws it at Ash. He angrily tells her to be careful, but Dawn tells him she didn't meant it. As they argue, the Buneary goes away. Ash and Dawn continue to argue whose fault that was. Brock is annoyed with this and suddenly, they see some light. Brock tells it is a move named Sunny Day to raise a -type Pokémon's powers. A Budew approaches them and they see its owner, a poet. The heroes introduce themselves and the man is a bard named Nando, who brings joy to everyone where he travels. Dawn has an idea - she will prove Ash she is powerful by battling Nando.
Nando asks Dawn if she wants to win the Sinnoh League, though she tells him that she actually aims for the Grand Festival. Nando now knows they could have a Contest Battle. Team Rocket sees and hears that and Jessie plans to win the Contests. Dawn sends Piplup, who charges to Peck. Budew evades and retaliates with Bullet Seed, however, Piplup dodges. Piplup uses BubbleBeam, but since it is a -type attack, Budew does not take much damage. Budew uses Solar Beam, so Piplup goes to cancel it with Peck, but Budew is faster and defeats Piplup by launching the attack. Brock thinks the Sunny Day must have caused more damage on Piplup for this. Nando is impressed by Dawn's first battle and wishes her luck. Jessie thinks she could have defeated her, but they need to get Pikachu first.
Later, Dawn is feeling sad for not capturing a Pokémon or even winning a battle. Brock sees there is a Pokémon Center nearby, making Dawn happy she can sleep in a bed. Brock sends out Bonsly and says he only has Bonsly on hand, as he left his other Pokémon in Pewter Gym. Dawn now learns Brock is Pewter City's Gym Leader in Kanto. At the Pokémon Center, Dawn mistakes the Nurse Joy to be the same one in Sandgem Town, but that was her sister - Brock shows her the Joy family. Brock flirts with Nurse Joy, making Dawn confused, as he was flirting with Officer Jenny. Dawn contacts her mom, who is relieved to see her with her new friends. Also, she wishes luck in Ash's Gym battles and logs out. Joy asks Ash is he registered for the Sinnoh League to which he did not. So, Joy takes his Pokédex and analyzes its info and in a moment, he is registered. Dawn also wants to register for the Contests, but Joy tells her she needs to do it in Contest buildings instead.
A group of children come to give their Pokémon to Joy to watch over them, including a Turtwig, Chimchar and a Prinplup. Also, she is approached by Nando. Nando receives his Budew back, takes it and goes away. Joy says Nando does not know if he should choose Contests or Gym Battles to be working on. Dawn and Ash bicker what path should he choose and run off to hear what will his decision be. Brock follows them as well. Ash, Brock and Dawn wander, but even Starly did not see Nando. Ash tells Dawn they will have to camp for the night, as the Pokémon Center is far from where they are. Brock chastises them by saying that they go running off without once thinking about the consequences of their actions, which they agreed to. Suddenly, Team Rocket (disguised) present their inn. Suddenly, the wind blows and it is obvious it was just some carton and their disguises fall down.
James sends Carnivine and Dawn her Piplup. Piplup uses BubbleBeam, but however, Carnivine "eats" it and goes to Bite, but gets stopped by Budew, who blasts Team Rocket off with Bullet Seed. Nando comes to see if they are unhurt. Ash and Dawn tell they came looking for him. Nando is still in dilemma, while Ash and Dawn bicker. Nando calms them down and hears the forest sing - a group of Pokémon sing. The singing helps Ash and Dawn apologize to each other for their rude behavior (the former for his rude coaching, and the latter for taking her frustration over her bad luck out on him). Ash recalls he saw a Ho-Oh before he left Kanto and Dawn also recalls seeing something in Lake Verity. Nando recites a poem and Ash wants Nando to battle him, so he does. The next day, the battle starts - Pikachu uses Quick Attack and Budew goes to stop him with Bullet Seed, but misses and gets hit. Budew uses Mega Drain, stealing Pikachu's energy. Pikachu pushes it back with Thunderbolt.
However, Budew evolves into a Roselia. Roselia uses Sunny Day and uses Solar Beam. Roselia fires, but Pikachu jumps and evades, then uses Iron Tail, defeating Roselia. Nando recalls it back and tells his decision - he will compete in both the Sinnoh League and Sinnoh Grand Festival. Nando goes away, while Brock, Ash and Dawn continue their journey.
==Debuts==
===Character===
*Nando
===Pokémon===
*Kricketot
*Budew (Nando's)
*Nando's Roselia
==Trivia==
*The title is a pun on the saying "dawn of a new day", as well as Dawn's name.
**"Dawn of a Royal Day!" is another episode with a similar title.
*Similar to when Ash met Misty in the beginning series, Ash does not get along with Dawn at the start of their journey. The only differences are as follows:
**Ash and Dawn did briefly get along the minute they met in the previous episode.
**All of Ash and Dawn's arguments had absolutely nothing to do with the latter's bike that Pikachu fried.
***Dawn did not tell Ash about her fried bike until much later in "One Big Happiny Family!", but she quickly forgives him and his Pikachu since Team Rocket was chasing them on the day they first met.
**Ash and Dawn forgave each other rather quickly within one episode, whereas it took a couple episodes in the beginning series for Ash and Misty to get along.
***Even before properly apologizing and forgiving each other, Ash and Dawn were shown in this episode to kindly shrug off their arguments before resuming them.
*This episode's name is a pun on the non-playable day in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, Dawn Of A New Day.
*Brock revealing he only had one Pokémon with him was similar to what happened in "You Never Can Taillow".
===Mistakes===
*When Nando spoke to the gang with his Budew, Budew's mouth moves without talking.
==Gallery==
==References==
pl:DP004
Category:Episodes focusing on Dawn
Category:Episodes focusing on Ash