SM018: A Seasoned Search!

is the 18th episode of , and of .
==Synopsis==
Ash and friends are visiting Mallow’s family restaurant to try her legendary Alolan stew! But the key ingredient is missing, and substituting Pikachu’s Thunderbolt for the rare Yellow Nectar doesn’t work out so well.
So Ash and Mallow go out to find some! The nectar is Oricorio’s favorite food, so Bounsweet lures one in with its Sweet Scent, and it leads them to a hidden meadow. But Team Rocket is waiting to scoop everyone up in a net—everyone except Bounsweet, who evolves into Steenee and sends them blasting off again.
The new recipe is a big hit, and Mallow decides to offer it as a seasonal special!
==Episode plot==
The class is at Aina's Kitchen, run by Mallow's father. Ash is excited they will eat here, as Mallow is preparing the latest meal they invented. She only asks for some patience, even if Sophocles' belly growls, since he skipped lunch today. Bounsweet jumps on the table, delivering a drink to Ash. She spins around, spreading the pollen in the air. Rowlet is attracted to Bounsweet, but gets repelled by her. Sophocles smells the air, noting how delicious it is. Lana fears he is also attracted to Bounsweet, but Sophocles denies that. Others also sense that smell; Pikachu enters the kitchen and is lifted by Mallow, who asks for his help. A moment later, Ash, Kiawe, Lana, Lillie and Sophocles are shocked that electricity is emitted from the kitchen. Mallow steps out, being burnt, but shows the Mythical Alola Stew is done. She serves the meal to her friends and even gives some special food for their Pokémon.
As Mallow's friends start eating, they become electrocuted. Rotom is surprised what happened, while Mallow claims that's the famous aftertaste of the stew. Ash states it felt like he was being electrocuted by Pikachu. Kiawe is displeased, as Mallow explains she also had Pikachu use Thunderbolt on the stew. Lillie wonders about the story behind the stew. Just then, Mallow's father enters the cafeteria and is asked by Lana what is the stew. Mallow's father explains the stew was made for ceremonies and festivals, but as time pased, the recipe was nearly forgotten. Others wonder how could Mallow have created the stew. She shows a cookbook her brother gave to her. Lana recalls Mallow's brother went on a culinary journey. Mallow confirms this, as her brother sent the cookbook, in which he transcribed the recipe for the Alola stew. She read to complete the stew, one must find the yellow Nectars of Alola flowers. Lillie tells it is not the season for the flower yet, making obtaining one quite difficult. Thus, she had Pikachu use Thunderbolt to make it a dish to remember, despite Kiawe's confusion as to why use that move.
Sophocles ate the stew, which bewilders everyone, as the stew was electrified. Still, Mallow's father decides to make another dish, to restore the reputation of the cafeteria. Everyone but Mallow shouts in approval. During the evening, Kiawe, Lana, Sophocles and Lillie leave the cafeteria. Mallow closes the door, while Bounsweet repels Rowlet, who bashes into the ceiling fan. Ash picks him up and thanks Mallow for the dish. Before he leaves, he asks Mallow what did Lillie mean that the yellow Nectars was not in season. Her father explains the yellow Nectars can be harvested only in a specific time of year. However, he recalls how his grandfather told him that there are exceptions. Ash decides to help Mallow find the yellow Nectars, to have a taste of the Mythical Alola Stew, which pleases Mallow. Team Rocket, however, have upgraded their base. Being very pleased by their work, they decide to capture Pikachu and the Alola Pokémon. However, they are all tired from constructing the base, promising to do so tomorrow on.
The next day, Ash and Mallow are searching for the Nectars. The latter points out they have vague information, but Rotom steps in to explain. He shows a picture of Oricorio in Pom-Pom Style, as they can track it to find a source of the yellow Nectars. Ash and Mallow are pleased, even if Rotom shows there is only 8% of finding one. The group starts searching, even having Rowlet ask Toucannon, Pikipek and Trumbeak, but they get chased out of a cave by Golbat. Rotom shows there's only 0.3% to find the Nectars. Mallow isn't discouraged, as she wants to deliver such signature cuisine to the cafeteria. Ash wonders why is she fired up on that cuisine, as they have lots of other tasty food, too. Mallow explains she wants to have a signature dish to make her cafeteria the number one in Alola, that'll insure the popularity of her father's place and cooking. Ash understands and is promised once she makes the cuisine, he'll be the first one to taste it. Team Rocket overhears this and plans on getting that Nectars to sell it at a high price.
As Mallow orders everyone to leave, Bounsweet spreads the pollen around. Rowlet is attracted to it and gets blown away by Bounsweet. This gives Ash the idea to have the pollen spread around to attract an Oricorio to them. Mallow has Bounsweet emit the pollen, while standing on a rock. Bounsweet does so, and gathers a lot of Pokémon in the area, even making a Pelipper grab Rowlet in its mouth. Soon, Rowlet spots an Oricorio on the rock, who nibbles on Bounsweet, then flies off. Since Oricorio is leaving, the group follows it and Bounsweet emits the pollen to attract Oricorio for a while. Oricorio flies off a bit, so Bounsweet repeats spreading its pollen several times. After some time, Ash and Mallow are tired from running after Oricorio, while Bounsweet is drained from all the pollen it spread. Rotom finds Oricorio entering a tunnel; Ash and Mallow follow it and see Oricorio on a field with yellow flowers. The group is glad, as the flowers emit the yellow Nectars. Suddenly, an Oricorio, in Baile Style, comes and drinks the Nectars, transforming into the Pom-Pom Style. Rotom explains that happens when Oricorio drinks a colored Nectars.
The group goes to harvest the Nectars, but gets captured, except Bounsweet. Team Rocket is glad to have captured them, and Meowth starts sucking the flowers into his machine. Bounsweet is furious and starts jumping, but is thrown away by James. Bounsweet emits the pollen, which distracts Meowth before he is reminded he could "lose" to Persian. Bounsweet, who is really furious, jumps into the air and continues spreading the pollen, then evolves into a Steenee. Steenee uses Double Slap on Meowth, and Magical Leaf to free Ash, Mallow, Pikachu, Rotom and Rowlet. Rowlet uses Peck, piercing Meowth's machine, causing the Nectars to be blown out of it. Next, Steenee uses Double Slap, hitting Team Rocket. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt, but Bewear appears and takes Team Rocket away. After the battle, Mallow takes some yellow Nectars and places it into a bottle.
Sometime later, Mallow has prepared the real Mythical Alola Stew. The group takes a bite and adores the taste, which makes Mallow and Steenee very happy. Lillie comments how the aftertaste has an effect. Mallow thanks Ash, Pikachu, Rowlet, Rotom and Steenee for helping her search the Nectars and hugs the latter. Suddenly, Sophocles' stomach growls, as he explains he got sad to think this was going to be the last day he was to eat the stew. Lana simply wonders is his stomach ever growls when he is sad. Mallow explains even if obtaining the Nectars is difficult, it could remain as a seasonal dish, which makes her wish of having a signature dish for the cafeteria to stay. Steenee spins around and spreads pollen, to which Rowlet is attracted to. However, Steenee accidentally hits Rowlet with her leaves, yet she's oblivious to what happened.
As Mallow's father asks of her daughter to close the cafe, Mallow sees her Steenee is napping. Mallow has her take a break, which causes Steenee to go on Mallow's back, to have Mallow give her a piggyback ride.
==Debuts==
===Character===
*Abe
*Ulu
===Pokémon===
*Steenee (Mallow's)
*Oricorio (Baile Style)
===Item===
*Yellow Nectars
==Quotes==
*Mallow: What just happened?!
*Ash: Bounsweet evolved!
==Trivia==
*"Who's that Pokémon?:" Bounsweet (JA and EN)
*The Poké Problem segment hosted by Mallow asks which Oricorio drinks from the yellow Nectars in today's episode. The correct answer is the yellow answer, the Pom-Pom Style Oricorio. The other answers are the Sensu Style Oricorio (blue), the Baile Style Oricorio (red), and the Pa'u Style Oricorio (green).
*Once again, the animation of evolution has changed. Instead of showing a glowing blue light, the animation shows the transformation completely and in detail.
===Dub differences===
*Due to Poké Problem not being dubbed into English, the extra scene of Mallow piggybacking her tired Steenee after tidying up the restaurant is deleted in the dub storyline.
==Gallery==
==References==
Category:Episodes featuring a main character's Pokémon evolving
Category:Episodes featuring a main character's Pokémon learning a new move
Category:Episodes focusing on Ash
Category:Episodes focusing on Mallow