DP163

Fighting Ire with Fire! (Japanese: 爆進化！ゴウカザル！！ Explosive Evolution! !!) is the 163rd episode of Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl, and the 629th episode of the Pokémon animated series. It first aired in Japan on February 11, 2010 and in the United States on July 10, 2010.
==Blurb==
On their way to the Sunyshore Gym and Ash's next battle, our heroes come across their friend Barry. He shows off all eight of the Badges he's earned, which prove he's ready to compete in the Sinnoh League! Paul is on the scene, too, and he's also won eight Badges. Barry challenges Paul to a battle on the spot, but Paul refuses, suggesting Barry battle Ash instead. Barry would rather take on Paul, but when Barry discovers that Ash has previously battled Paul in a full battle, he changes his mind and challenges Ash.
Meanwhile, Team Rocket has decided to try a new approach: catch the heroes first to get them out of the way, and then catch their Pokémon. It appears to work! Pikachu, Piplup, and Barry's Empoleon are caught and held captive. But, while Barry and Ash are battling, Monferno becomes enraged, thanks to an out-of-control Blaze ability! Ash reasons with Monferno to calm it down, only to get a big surprise when it evolves into Infernape! Infernape saves Pikachu, Piplup, and Empoleon, and proves to be a powerful and quick Pokémon in its own right.
Paul tells Ash he will battle him in the upcoming Sinnoh League. But first, Ash knows he must set his sights on winning his eighth Badge at the Sunyshore Gym!
==Plot==
, and are traveling through a small town on the way to Sunyshore City when they notice a crowd has gathered to watch a Pokémon battle taking place nearby. Deciding to stop and have a look, they are surprised to find that the person who is battling is , whose is battling another 's . Barry has Empoleon use , which scores a direct hit on Mothim. His opponent has Mothim use , but Barry has Empoleon block it with its wings, receiving almost no damage from it. The crowd is very impressed, and Brock notes that Empoleon is a lot stronger than when they last saw it. Barry has Empoleon use . The Trainer tries to counter with ; however, Empoleon expertly dodges the attack and strikes Mothim, knocking him out. The Trainer sees to his Mothim while Barry congratulates Empoleon and the crowd cheers his excellent victory. As Barry laps up the kudos, he stops Ash and the others and happily greets his friend and rival.
Later, as the group relaxes, Barry catches up with Ash and asks about 's training to master . Ash is forced to confess that it is not going very well at the moment, which disappoints Barry, who remarks that Ash may never reach the Sinnoh League if his Pokémon can't master their moves. Ash tells Barry he is still headed for the Sunyshore Gym for his final Badge, which makes Barry laugh. Barry shows off his collection of eight Badges, including the he got from Sunyshore, adding that the Sunyshore Gym was the best of all of them. Dawn tells Ash that now he has to catch up to both Barry and Paul, much to Barry's excitement. 
Meanwhile, at 's temporary base, James announces that, after analyzing their previous failed plans, he has decided to take charge of the next attempt to nab and . Jessie and are incredulous, but continue to listen as James explains that the main problem with their previous schemes is that they have always been stealing the Pokémon, then trying to flee. This, in turn, allows the twerps to counterattack and send them blasting off. However, if they were to instead trap the twerps, then grab the Pokémon and flee, they could then make a clean getaway. Jessie and Meowth both like the idea and decide to get started at once.
Back in town, the group is all feeling pretty hungry so decide to stop at the local Pokémon Center. Nurse Joy greets the four and Brock goes to flirt with her, only for to him. Just then, Dawn spots Paul and points him out to Ash, who has not seen him since their Full Battle. While Ash is surprised, Barry goes over to Paul, introduces himself, tells him he has also earned eight Badges and challenges him to a battle. Paul is unimpressed with Barry, however, and declines the offer, which surprises Barry. Paul reveals that he is declining all challenges at the moment to concentrate on serious training for the Sinnoh League and he will not risk his Pokémon's condition by having a pointless battle that may confuse them. Barry insists that a battle against him won't be pointless, but Paul tells Barry that if he is desperate for a battle, he should battle Ash. Barry refuses since he doesn't believe Ash is on their level, given that he only has seven Badges. Ash tells Paul that he knows he has earned all eight Badges after seeing the news report about it, with the atmosphere of the conversation awkward and chilly. Ash then tells Paul that he plans on getting his eighth Badge at the Sunyshore Gym. Upon hearing this, Paul furiously tells Ash that he does not consider Sunyshore City's Gym to be worthy of its title. A surprised Barry insists that it’s the best Gym, but Paul declares it the worst. The conflicting reviews of the Gym leave Dawn and Brock extremely confused. Paul then leaves. Barry tries to shout at him, and then angrily tells him that he is getting a fine.
Ash assures Barry that he is bound to encounter Paul again someday, and warns him not to let his guard down in battle. Barry asks exactly what happened between the two of them. Ash replies that he and Paul had a Full Battle, earning Barry's jealousy and that even though he lost, Ash considers it to have been a good battle as he learned a lot. He then vows that the next time he and Paul battle, he will definitely win. Barry is impressed by Ash's determination and then decides to follow Paul's advice by challenging Ash to a battle, which Ash accepts.
Just then, the latest update regarding Pokémon Contests appears on television, catching Dawn's attention. Marian informs the viewers that she has news straight from the , and announces that the Sinnoh Grand Festival will be held at Valor Lakefront. Marian advises that any who have not earned the required five Ribbons need not give up as there are still seven Contests remaining before the event. Nearby are the disguised Team Rocket, who are also listening to the news, and Jessie is very excited to hear that her own goal is not yet out of reach. Having earned three Ribbons at the , , and Contests, Jessie is determined to win another two and enter the Grand Festival too. Ash notes the coincidence that the Grand Festival is being held in the same place that Dawn earned the . Checking his Pokégear, Brock tells the group they should continue on to Sunyshore City, then backtrack to Lake Valor afterward. Dawn knows that she will need to use the spare time to start working on new Contest combinations, and Barry wishes Dawn the best of luck in the Festival before reminding Ash of their battle. The group run out of the Center, while Jessie tries to leave to get her two Ribbons, only to be reminded of the current plan to nab Pikachu and Piplup.
It is decided the match will be composed of three one-on-one battles, with Brock refereeing. Dawn uses the application on her Pokétch, with Barry winning the chance to go first. Throwing the s, Barry sends out Empoleon first while Ash starts with . Barry is happy, knowing that as Empoleon is a type, it will have the advantage over the dual-type Monferno. Barry starts off by having Empoleon use Hydro Cannon, though Monferno dodges it and lands a . Meanwhile, Paul is walking past the battle area and, while unnoticed, decides to stop and watch when he sees Ash is using Monferno. Ash boasts that with the high speed of Mach Punch, Monferno can easily overcome the type disadvantage he has with Empoleon. Barry decides to try , but Ash has Monferno underground before emerging and landing another hard hit on Empoleon. Barry has Empoleon use Hydro Cannon, and while this time it hits, it lands at such close range that Monferno is sent flying into some nearby trees. Ash and Dawn are both worried, while Barry curses himself, knowing he used far too much power against Monferno. Ash starts calling for Monferno, but there is no response.
Just then, a plastic capsule flies out of the air, heading towards Ash, and Dawn calls for him to look out for it. However it is no use, and Ash is trapped inside. He pounds on the capsule and Pikachu uses on it, but the capsule is electricity-proof. The others are about to go and help when suddenly three more capsules appear, capturing Brock, Dawn, and Barry. Piplup tries using his beak to free Dawn, but it is no use. A distraught Piplup looks up to hear the laughter of Team Rocket as they descend in the and start reciting their . Pikachu, Piplup, and Empoleon use Thunderbolt, , and Hydro Cannon, respectively, against Team Rocket. However, as they do, the balloon itself starts to deflate while arms and legs emerge from the basket. The arms deflect the attacks, grab the three Pokémon, and deposit them in a cage as Team Rocket finish their motto. Brock sends out and has her use to break the capsule, but even Happiny's strength cannot break it and simply sends the capsule spinning. Team Rocket boasts that the capsules are unbreakable from the inside and prepare to make their getaway.
Suddenly, a pillar of fire emerges from the nearby trees, transforms itself into an extra-powerful attack, and heads towards Team Rocket's mecha before destroying the capsule holding Ash captive as it lands. Monferno emerges with pink eyes, confirming that his Ability has been activated as he screams with fury while powerful flames emerge from his tail. Barry asks what is happening and Brock and Dawn explain that Blaze is Monferno's Ability, a power boost that kicks in when Monferno's stamina is low and he is under stress. Ash attempts to calm Monferno down, but Monferno knocks him down. Team Rocket cannot believe their luck and decide to use their mecha to capture Monferno, but his sheer power easily destroys their grabbing claw. Monferno then powers up a Flame Wheel and prepares to violently attack Team Rocket. Ash attempts to remind his out-of-control Pokémon that Pikachu and the others are still trapped in the cage by blocking the mecha, but Monferno is unable to listen and hits him down before destroying the mecha's controls and basket using Mach Punch, sending Team Rocket blasting off again as they commiserate another failed plan.
By now, Monferno is completely out of control and the Pokémon are put in severe danger as the legs of the mecha remains begin to buckle, threatening to crush them. Ash prepares to send out a Pokémon to help when Paul suddenly arrives and sends out his . Paul has it use to support the cage, amazing everyone. Unfortunately, Monferno irately powers up a Flame Wheel, and damages one of the legs, putting the Pokémon in far more danger. Monferno circles around and prepares for another hit, but Ash is determined to save Monferno and all the Pokémon. He intercepts the Flame Wheel, grabs Monferno when he emerges and holds on tight. As the flames generated by Blaze engulf both Monferno and Ash, the latter begs him to not let himself be consumed by Blaze's power and reminds him of the promise they made to get stronger together. Paul looks on in amazement at what Ash is willing to endure to calm his Pokémon down. Suddenly, Electabuzz's Protective barrier fails, and the mecha starts to collapse, now endangering Electabuzz alongside the other Pokémon. Now in control, Monferno races towards the cage by getting underneath and supporting it. As he supports the cage, Monferno suddenly evolves into an . Ash has Infernape throw the cage into the air and then has it destroyed with Mach Punch. This proves to be no problem for the powerful Pokémon as he frees Pikachu, Piplup, and Empoleon. When they start to fall, Infernape catches them in his Flame Wheel to allow them to land safely. Ash congratulates Infernape, and Pikachu and Piplup thank Infernape for saving them.
Paul remarks that Monferno was not only able to control Blaze, but was able to transform it into a new kind of energy that allowed him to evolve. Infernape then releases Brock, Dawn, and Barry from their capsules; and Piplup and Empoleon reunite with their relieved Trainers. Paul starts to leave, but Ash thanks him for his help and tells his rival that both he and Infernape will battle again. Paul tells Ash that Reggie would also like to see another Full Battle between them, adding he will see them at the Sinnoh League. Paul then leaves, and Brock tells Ash that when the two do battle, he will be able to show Paul just how much both he and his Pokémon have improved, and Dawn concurs that this time Ash will not lose. Ash vows to not let Paul defeat him again.
==Major events==
* and meet up with again.
* Barry is revealed to have earned two more Badges, thus bringing his total to eight and qualifying him for the Sinnoh League.
* Barry meets Paul for the first time and challenges him to a , which Paul refuses.
* learns that there are seven Pokémon Contests remaining before the Sinnoh Grand Festival, and that the event itself will be held at Lake Valor.
* Ash's Monferno activates and goes on a rampage again.
* Ash's evolves into .
===Debuts===
====Pokémon debuts====
=====TV episode debuts=====
* ()
==Characters==
===Humans===
* 
* 
* 
* Jessie
* James
* Nurse Joy
* Paul
* 
* Marian (TV)
* Mr. Contesta (TV)
* Mr. Sukizo (TV)
* Citizens
* 
===Pokémon===
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* (; evolves)
* (; newly evolved)
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ('s)
==Trivia==
* Professor Oak's Big Pokémon Examination: 
* The episode's English dub title is a reference to the phrase "fighting fire with fire".
** Similar dub titles were also used with two earlier episodes. Coincidentally, the second episode also features the evolution of one of Ash's Pokémon and was set in Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl.
* In an initial announcement for this episode, TV Tokyo's website incorrectly stated that had won the from the Sunyshore Gym. This was corrected a day later, stating instead that Barry won the from the Sunyshore Gym.
* This is the first episode where Barry doesn't bump into .
* This marks the first time since the original series that a rival of Ash's shows off all his Badges, only some of which are similar to Ash's.
* Two Team Rocket's mechas from Cooking Up a Sweet Story! and Noodles! Roamin' Off! make cameo in this episode.
* The children's story "" is referenced by when he says that they will be known as the "Team Rocket that could."
* "Ready Go!" is played during the scene evolves.
* As of this episode:
** Ash, Paul, and Barry have all of the Sinnoh first partner Pokémon between them.
** All evolved forms of the Sinnoh first partner Pokémon have made their appearance in the .
* This is the first episode where when recites their motto in front of Barry where he does not interrupt them.
* When Meowth says when Team Rocket is blasting off, "There's no place like home," he may be referring to the film .
* A version of "Which One ~ Is It?" is used as the ending theme, in which animation is used alongside live-action shots.
* This episode is the last to be animation-produced by OLM without a specific production line, who has been involved with the animation production duties since Three Sides to Every Story!. Starting from the next episode until From So Far Away, the animation production is handled by OLM Team Kato.
* Team Rocket narrates the preview for the next episode.
===Errors===
* In one scene, a man has green sclerae in his eyes instead of white.
* After Ash tells Barry about his problems with perfecting 's , the lace-like pattern on Empoleon's belly is missing the black spots. They later reappear while Empoleon is sitting in the same position.
* When Ash's Monferno is about to use during his battle with Barry's Empoleon, Monferno has four fingers on each hand instead of five.
* In the beginning of the battle between Ash and Barry, Barry says that he and his Empoleon have the type advantage ( over ), However, he does not consider the fact that his Empoleon is also a type, which is weak to both types of Monferno, plus removing Empoleon's Water-type resistance to Fire. Because of this, neither of the two had an advantage over the other.
* In the English dub, after uses on , his Japanese voice can be heard.
* In the dub, is incorrectly referred to as Garra de Metal, the same name as .
* In the dub, when freed from the plastic capsules, sounds like he is still trapped.
DP163 Error.png|Far-right man has green sclerae
DP163 error 2.png|Monferno's fingers
DP163 Empoleon Missing Lace.png|Empoleon's missing lace spots
===Dub edits===
==In other languages==
163
Category:Episodes written by Atsuhiro Tomioka
Category:Episodes storyboarded by Hitoyuki Matsui
Category:Episodes directed by Hideaki Ōba
Category:Episodes animated by Izumi Shimura
Category:Episodes in which a main character's Pokémon evolves
Category:Episodes focusing on Ash
Category:Episodes focusing on Paul
Category:Episodes focusing on Barry
de:Panpyro außer Rand und Band!
es:EP632
fr:DP163
it:DP163
ja:DP編第163話
zh:宝可梦 钻石＆珍珠 第161集