BW054: Ash Versus the Champion!

is the 4th episode of Pokémon: BW Rival Destinies.
==Synopsis==
Just as our heroes are ready to head across the drawbridge to Driftveil City, they run into Ash’s rival, Trip. Ash wants to battle, of course, but Trip is waiting to meet Alder, the Unova League Champion! When Trip was a young boy, Alder had advised him to work hard and get strong as a Trainer, and someday they would battle.
So when they finally see Alder (who is unexpectedly flirting with Officer Jenny), both Ash and Trip challenge him to a battle! Ash goes first, and it’s Pikachu vs. Bouffalant—but during the battle, Alder dozes off. Annoyed, Alder’s Bouffalant goes after him instead of Pikachu, and after being hit by an extraordinary Head Charge, Alder declares himself the loser and says he’s done for the day. Trip storms off when he realizes he won’t get his battle after all, and Alder invites our heroes to dinner at the Pokémon Center.
The Champion chats with Ash, Iris, and Cilan about what their goals are and how to achieve them, and when they all decide that getting stronger is the most important thing, he disagrees. He’s just beginning to explain when they’re interrupted by Nurse Joy (another target of Alder’s flirting). She needs Alder’s help for a Pokémon emergency: an angry Gigalith on a rampage through the city! Alder goes to the rescue, and after he and Bouffalant manage to corner Gigalith, he figures out the problem: a nail embedded in the huge Pokémon’s foot. He removes the nail, and quickly gets Gigalith calmed down.
After the crisis is over, Alder finally has time to explain his philosophy: to him, the most important thing is not getting stronger through battle, but helping people and Pokémon to grow closer. He wishes them luck, and our heroes begin their journey to Driftveil City and Ash’s next Gym Battle!
==Episode plot==
As the heroes are about to cross the drawbridge to leave Nimbasa City, Iris notices a festival. Cilan explains it is the Performers' Square, where one can show their talents. The heroes take a walk through the event and soon Ash encounters his rival, Trip. Ash shows his four badges, but Trip shows five badges, displeasing Ash. Trip thinks it is just the difference in the skills, so Ash requests the battle. Trip declines, for he is waiting for Alder, the Champion. Trip has great expectations, for he wants to defeat Alder once he passes the Unova League. Trip admits Alder convinced him to become a trainer.
Trip tells when he was a boy, he told Alder he wants to become a Champion and defeat Alder, who advised him to battle a lot to become stronger. Iris wonders where Alder could be, for he is traveling through Unova. Trip responds he heard Alder is supposed to have been seen around. They soon see Alder, who tries to flirt with Jenny. Jenny threatens to lock him with handcuffs if he does not get off her motorcycle immediately. Alder falls down, so Jenny rides away with her Herdier. Trip approaches Alder, who recognizes Trip as "Tristan", though Trip corrects him. Ash and Trip want to battle Alder, who proposed a two-on-one battle. Trip declines, wanting to battle Alder by himself, so allows Ash to battle Alder, knowing Ash will be defeated, allowing Trip to study Alder's battle moves.
Alder sends Bouffalant and Ash Pikachu. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt, while Iris and Cilan notice Alder is not moving or calling an attack. Bouffalant is not moving, surprising Trip, Iris and Cilan, while Pikachu uses Quick Attack to hit Bouffalant. Pikachu uses Iron Tail, hitting Bouffalant. Cilan heard Bouffalant's fur absorbs the attacks, but Iris wonders what kind of strategy is that. Pikachu uses Electro Ball, while Bouffalant notices its trainer ordering nothing, allowing it to get hit by Electro Ball. Everyone sees Alder is snoring, so Trip wakes him up. Alder admits he was walking too much yesterday and got exhausted. Alder forces Bouffalant to use Head Charge. Pikachu dodges, though Bouffalant turns around and hits Alder.
Alder stands up and is hungry. Trip reminds Alder he promised to battle Trip, but Alder changed his mind. Trip reminds Alder he gave Trip advice to keep battling to become stronger, for strength is a very important thing. Alder is surprised, as he can't remember he gave such advice. Trip leaves, intending on entering the Championship to defeat Alder. Alder gives Bouffalant an apple and gets licked by it. Alder is still hungry, so asks the heroes to go for lunch. In the Pokémon Center, while everyone is admiring Alder, he tries to flirt with Nurse Joy, who declines. The heroes eat with Alder, who asks his audience to wait outside for autographs.
Alder asks the heroes what is their purpose of their journey. Cilan wants to be a Connoisseur, Iris a Dragon Master and Ash the Pokémon Master. Alder asks them what will they do after they reach the goal. The heroes have not thought of that, so Alder asks another question. He asks Ash what does he need to reach his goal. Ash tells he needs to be strong, but Alder asks if it is that simple, surprising the heroes. Nurse Joy comes, making Alder think she wants to flirt with him, but she replies a wild Gigalith is on the loose. Alder comes and sends Bouffalant to battle Gigalith. Alder asks everyone to run away, as he goes to take care of Gigalith.
Alder comes to Gigalith, offering an apple. Gigalith charges, making Alder think it will slow down, but Gigalith tackles Alder. Jenny sends Herdier, who goes to use Shadow Ball, but Alder tells he knows why Gigalith is upset. Gigalith charges once more, but Alder tosses him away, causing Gigalith to fall down. Alder pulls out a nail from Gigalith's foot and sprays the Super Potion on it. The heroes are amazed by Alder's wisdom. Jenny tells she has to take Gigalith into custody for making damage, but Alder thinks it is not necessary. Suddenly, a statue falls down on Jenny, but Gigalith protects her. Soon, Jenny takes Gigalith into the wild.
The heroes ask Alder to finish his thoughts, for they were interrupted at the Pokémon Center. Alder tells he wants to become strong, but also wants people and Pokémon to be closer to each other, living with each other in harmony. Alder knows some pursue the path to become stronger, others want just to be with their Pokémon. However, he knows through the journey they will find their goal. The heroes agree with his views. Later, they wish each other safe travels and the heroes part ways with Alder, continuing towards Driftveil City.
==Debuts==
===Pokémon===
*Gigalith
==Quotes==
:"What's with the turn around?" - Ash
:"Come on. Are you mad? Please! Stop being such a CHTBD!" - Alder
==Trivia==
*This is the first time Ash battles a Champion.
*Professor Oak's Live Caster: Zebstrika
*Who's That Pokémon?: Bouffalant (Japan), Gigalith (U.S.)
==Gallery==
==References==
pl:BW052
Category:Episodes focusing on Ash
Category:Episodes focusing on Trip