GS128: Enlighten Up!

is the 35th episode of Pokémon: Master Quest.
==Synopsis==
As Ash and friends approach the site where Ash will earn his eighth badge, they fall victim to an unexpected Team Rocket trap. As they prepare to fight, they are interrupted by a mystic and her Slowpoke. This woman explains to them that the Slowpoke's distant expression evidences that it is pondering the meaning of its existence. Ash and friends eagerly volunteer to strengthen their minds through training in this Slowpoke's shrine, and are surprised when Team Rocket does the same. Jessie, James, and Meowth show their true colors soon enough however, reviewing to all that their actual motive is not enlightenment, but rather the valuable gold statues that decorate the shrine.
==Episode plot==
The heroes came to a beautiful lake. Brock reads its name is Lake Slowpoke, known also as Lake Enlightenment. Ash does not know what that word means, so Brock explains it is like solving a riddle that reveals the truth. The heroes are a bit confused about that. Suddenly, Team Rocket appears out of the ground (since they buried themselves). The heroes are surprised to see them this early, so Team Rocket announces they will dig themselves in and when Pikachu is around, they will come out. Brock thinks they should dig a hole and stay in it. So, Team Rocket and Ash are about to battle. However, a Slowpoke appears, with a flag. It comes to a spot, puts its tail in the water and does not move.
A woman appears, telling they are trespassing, since this is Slowpoke's favorite spot, despite being nothing unusual about it. The woman is Madeline from the Slowpoke Temple, where attendants ponder the meaning of existence, just like the Slowpoke does. The heroes think it is just a Slowpoke, but Madeline responds it is thinking why it is a Slowpoke. Madeleine asks Ash who is he really and what is his essence. Ash responds with his name, but is uncertain of his existence. Madeline explains that Slowpoke's name was given by humans, but who is it really. Ash and Misty know their names and Team Rocket knows their names, while Brock tries to flirt with Madeline. However, none of them has a clear idea of who they really are.
Madeline tells them she is seeking enlightenment for 10 years, shocking the heroes. Madeline knows that is not easily granted, so invites them all to the temple, at least for lunch, tempting Team Rocket for that. Madeline takes them to the temple and explains that a priest meditated here with many Slowpokes years ago achieving enlightenment in the process, and in his honor, the temple was built. She presents a huge golden Slowpoke, shocking Team Rocket. The heroes and Team Rocket have lunch, then they notice other kids studying here. Madeline remembers there was a person named Gary Oak, who came here to study challenge training. Ash is angered and wants to take the challenge training Gary took which Brock and Misty saw coming. Team Rocket thinks they should get the statue to get in the boss' good graces, so decide to accept these challenges as well. Misty, who is rightfully suspicious, doubts them that they want to learn, but Team Rocket is saddened they cannot learn the truth. Madeline responds being of whatever alignment must not affect the will to learn.
Madeline takes them to a meditation room. One man is bothered and gets hit by a plank, but does not show any reaction. Madeline tells the goal is to master the thoughts. The heroes and Team Rocket try to think of nothing. Ash already dreams of winning the League, but gets restrained. Misty thinks of catching a Legendary Water Pokémon, while Brock of meeting girls, but both get restrained. So does Team Rocket, though they argue with the man. Ash sees that was difficult, so Madeline moves to next step. She tells they need to scrub and wax the whole hallway. Misty, Brock, Jessie and James are baffled, as the hallway is too large. However, Ash eagerly starts, so Team Rocket seeing a challenge start as well with the others joining in while Togepi and Pikachu cheer for Ash. They even have a race, (even though they were told to take their time) with Ash managing to outmaneuver Team Rocket and win it. Team Rocket is annoyed while the others are exhausted but relieved the job is done, but Madeline admits it was entertaining. However, she points out that they left out too many spots and need to do it again. She tells them afterwards there will be more training much to everyone's dismay.
Later, everything is clean, Jessie and Meowth are both exhausted but James reminds Jessie and Meowth they need to take the golden statue. The heroes see the next phase is fishing. Team Rocket responds they are too tired to do any more training. However, Misty considers herself youthful, enraging Jessie. The heroes go to fishing, leaving Jessie and James with a smirk. Jessie already knows how to carry the golden Slowpoke away. The heroes and Meowth see Slowpoke has not moved and catches a Goldeen with its tail. They see it also got a Lanturn and a Magikarp. Madeline reminds them the goal is to fish, so Misty goes to get a Water Pokémon. They fish, but do not catch anything. Suddenly, Slowpoke catches a Gyarados, making Misty very sad, as this is her specialty and she did not catch even a cold.
Misty tosses Meowth into the lake, ordering it to learn why they can't catch Pokémon. Meowth thinks she is a bigger nut than Jessie is. Later, Meowth learned that the Pokémon are aware they will be caught by the hooks. He continues that Slowpoke does not want to catch Water Pokémon, simply wanting to learn. The heroes see this is about the idle mind. Suddenly, Slowpoke catches a Shellder. Madeline points out Shellder represents the hope they have not tried about. By mastering one's mind, Slowpoke was able to catch it. Suddenly, Jessie and James use a bike to move the statue out of the temple. They encounter the twerps, who move away. Madeline and Slowpoke stay, the latter evolving into a Slowbro. It uses Confusion, forcing Jessie and James away from the bike, then placing the statue back where it was.
The heroes are pleased, but Brock wonders what if Slowpoke evolved a moment later. Madeline tells that it mastered the thoughts and she believed in Slowpoke's evolution. She knows the heroes trust their Pokémon, even if they are not enlightened. She tells them true enlightenment is knowing you can be better today than yesterday. With more friends, one can move forward. She has the same opportunity with Slowpoke and advises the heroes to do the same, which they accept. The heroes are still furious on Team Rocket, so Madeline thinks training will serve them. The heroes wave goodbye to Madeline. Meanwhile, Team Rocket are in the temple to hide away from Delibird. However, Madeline and the temple staff hit them with planks, to remind them to have idle minds.
==Debut==
===Character===
Madeleine
==Trivia==
*Buddhism was the inspiration for Slowpoke religion.
**Even though there are no nuns in Buddhism, Madeleine was still a nun as a religious symbol.
*The "Who's that Pokémon?" is Noctowl.
===Mistakes===
*Brock said Flint City was his hometown, though it was Pewter City.
**In addition Brock is shown to not enjoy cleaning but in previous episodes he enjoys it.
*When Team Rocket yells at a temple staff member for hitting them they are shown wearing their boots in the next shot they are gone.
==Gallery==
==References==