DP186: Familiarity Breeds Strategy!

is the 29th episode of Pokémon: DP Sinnoh League Victors.
==Synopsis==
The first quarterfinal battle of the Sinnoh League at Lily Of The Valley Island has Ash pitted against his rival Paul. This round is a full battle, with each side using a full party of six Pokémon. As Ash switches out his first three Pokémon—Pikachu, Infernape, and Staraptor—there’s something quite familiar about it to Paul. In fact, Ash appears to be using the same Pokémon team he used in their first full battle at Lake Acuity! Paul begins the battle with Aggron, then Gastrodon, and brings his Drapion out after the first two are quickly defeated.
Watching the battle on television, Paul’s brother Reggie notices that Paul is well aware of Ash’s strategies. Reggie is convinced that Paul allowed Ash to take the first two wins as part of his overall plan!
After Ash switches Staraptor out for Buizel, Drapion catches Buizel in its pincer tail! We leave the scene with Ash screaming at Buizel to “get out of there!”—and as the action gets more and more intense, we have no choice but to wonder how this incredible match will ultimately play out!
==Episode plot==
Paul and Ash face each other in the League. Ash sends Pikachu and Paul his Aggron. Before that, however, Ash's Gliscor battled Dawn's Mamoswine, revealing Gliscor perfected Giga Impact. Barry was quite excited how Gliscor used the move, though Brock reminded him that Gliscor cannot move for a while after the attack is executed. Barry asked which Pokémon Ash was going to choose and this reminds Ash of his battle with Paul at Lake Acuity. Ash had given some thought and knew Paul was going to use experience he had from his previous battles against his opponents. Barry asked if Ash wasn't doing this the same thing, and Ash confirmed, but he looked what Paul learned, not Ash. Barry asked if he figured that out and Ash replied that he would see, which made Barry angry. Dawn had Piplup dressed for cheerleading, but in a different outfit. Paul contacted Reggie, who wished him luck. Also, Reggie was happy for Paul for meeting Ash, as Ash had a lot of influence on him. Also, Reggie advised Paul not to underestimate Ash and wanted Paul to win the League.
Dawn had overheard the conversation and asked Paul if that was Reggie. Paul ignored her and asked how was Ash doing. Dawn replied that he was training with his Pokémon and asked Paul if he wanted to get him. Paul refused and when asked why did he ask how was Ash, so he answered that he did not know and walked away. Paul then tells Dawn why he hates Ash so much: he reminds him of Reggie, who talks about friends, trust and belief in the Pokémon, which Paul believes is what led to Reggie's fall from grace as a trainer. Dawn said that Ash is not Reggie. Paul replied that Ash is just another trainer he has to beat to advance in the League. Soon, they encountered Brock, Ash and Barry. Ash tells Paul to make the next fight a great one, which Paul agreed to. Dawn reminds everyone about Cynthia's quote "When one life meets another life, something will be born". Barry was surprised to hear Dawn was a poet, but Brock corrected him, as it was Cynthia's quote when she had met Ash and Paul. Dawn thought that Ash and Paul will make something new, but did not know what that actually was, but knew that will be seen at the League. Paul turned back and told Ash they will see each other on the field.
Back at the field, Ash sent Pikachu and Paul his Aggron. Aggron uses Metal Claw, but Pikachu repels the attack with Iron Tail. Aggron uses Metal Sound, which affects not only Pikachu, but Meowth and Piplup, who have their Special Defense lowered. Pikachu retaliates using Thunderbolt, then follows with Volt Tackle. Aggron uses Flash Cannon and counters the move, preventing Pikachu's Volt Tackle. Ash calls Pikachu back, while Barry is under the impression Paul raises his Pokémon to be immeasurably powerful. Ash sends Infernape, which Cynthia recognizes as Chimchar, who evolved. Aggron uses Double Edge, so Infernape uses Flare Blitz to counter. While Infernape is damaged by recoil, Aggron is unaffected because of Rock Head, which allows Aggron not to be hit by moves that cause recoil damage. However, Aggron becomes burned and takes damage from the contact of Flare Blitz. Infernape uses Mach Punch and Aggron goes to stop it using Flash Cannon, but Infernape hits it before and defeats it.
Paul calls Aggron back. Team Rocket, Dawn and Barry are happy to see Ash winning, but Brock worries, as it is just one win, while more is to come. Paul sends Gastrodon, while Ash calls Infernape back and sends Staraptor. Paul sees a pattern of Ash's Pokémon, while Reggie sees Ash is using the Pokémon at their battle of Lake Acuity. Gastrodon starts with Muddy Water, but gets hit by Quick Attack. Gastrodon uses Muddy Water as a repellent against Staraptor in a way that Barry recognizes as Counter Shield, a move that was used against Fantina's Pokémon and in the battle between Ash and Paul. Ash has an idea and orders Staraptor to use Aerial Ace on Gastrodon's belly. However, Gastrodon evades it and uses Body Slam on Staraptor, binding him to the ground. Staraptor cannot move, while Gastrodon uses Water Pulse in the sky, which goes down. Brock sees Paul wants the move to hit Staraptor right after Gastrodon moves away.
Staraptor uses Close Combat on the ground and goes away, causing the Water Pulse to hit the ground. Gastrodon uses Ice Beam, causing Staraptor to fall down and Ash to call him back. Ash sends Buizel, so Paul sees Ash is even more pathetic and predictable. Paul sees Ash's Pokémon want a re-match dating back from Lake Acuity and Ash confirms. Gastrodon uses Ice Beam, so Buizel uses Aqua Jet and fuses with Ice Beam, making Ice Aqua Jet (which makes Barry very excited) and hits Gastrodon. Gastrodon uses Body Slam, but gets defeated by an Ice Punch. Ash now knows the true battle against Paul will commence soon. Paul calls Gastrodon and sends Drapion. Drapion uses Pin Missile, but the pins move in a strange way. Buizel uses Water Gun as a Counter Shield, which deflects the missiles. Drapion uses Cross Poison, but Buizel dodges and retaliates with Sonic Boom. However, Drapion uses its tail to counter the move and binds Buizel. Drapion turns back and goes to attack Buizel continually.
==Debuts==
===Pokémon===
*Gastrodon (East Sea) (Paul's)
*Paul's Drapion
*Paul's Aggron
==Trivia==
*The title is a pun on the saying "familiarity breeds contempt".
*After seeing Ash's Gliscor fight Dawn's Mamoswine, Barry does a pose similar to the pose of Gligarman from GS022: The Superhero Secret.
===Mistakes===
*As Buizel was about to be frozen while in its Aqua Jet, its mouth was orange.
==Gallery==
==References==
Category:Episodes focusing on Ash
Category:Episodes focusing on Pikachu
Category:Episodes focusing on Paul
Category:Episodes featuring Champions
Category:Episodes featuring a Pokémon League