AG048: ZigZag Zangoose!

October 23, 2003

## Plot

Still on their way to Fallarbor Town, the site of May's next Pokémon Contest, Ash and gang run into a Zangoose. Soon, a larger one appears and begins talking. The gang soon realizes that the large Zangoose is in fact their old friend Nicholai in a costume. After saying he lost to May and Max's father, Norman, Ash decides to battle him to help make him stronger.

Nicholai sends out his Marshtomp, who has evolved since it was last seen as a Mudkip, and promptly throws on his Marshtomp costume. Ash sends out Treecko and the battle commences. After sending various moves back and forth, we shift to Team Rocket who is yet again plotting their capture of Pikachu in the bushes nearby. Jessie sends out Seviper to prepare to catch Pikachu.

Nicholai recalls Marshtomp and sends out Zangoose, of course throwing on a Zangoose costume. The battle recommences and Nicholai orders an attack, but Zangoose stops midway through its attack and wanders off into the bushes. Soon Team Rocket runs out of the bushes, followed by Seviper and Zangoose who are in a standoff. Team Rocket attempts to do their motto, but are cut short by the two feuding Pokemon. It's soon explained that Seviper and Zangoose have a long history of being arch enemies and will continue fighting until a winner is crowned.

The two attack each other and Meowth berates Seviper, saying it should stop worrying about Zangoose and go after Pikachu. Seviper replies by smacking Meowth and Team Rocket into a nearby river. Their battle continues until both fall into the river. Seviper uses Poison Tail on Zangoose, knocking it out on a rock in the river. Before Seviper can continue, Ash uses Corphish to scare Seviper away. After getting Zangoose ashore, the gang realizes it is very injured and Brock says he can help.

Brock mixes up some medicine and gives it to Nicholai for Zangoose. Meanwhile, back with Team Rocket, Seviper jumps ashore with them. James attempts to yell at Seviper, but a quick glare at him makes him apologize and beg for forgiveness. Jessie sympathizes, stating she feels the same way about Cassidy as Seviper feels about Zangoose and decides to help Seviper win the next battle.

While Zangoose recovers from its injuries, Ash and Nicholai train to learn how to battle Seviper. The two throw on costumes of Seviper and Zangoose and do a mock battle. Soon, Zangoose hears Seviper's voice, which is being amplified by a microphone. Though still weak, Zangoose runs off, and the gang follows. Zangoose enters a clearing and the battle continues. During the battle, James, Meowth and Wobbuffet steal Pikachu and Ash, Max, May and Brock chase after them, while Nicholai focuses on the battle.

The cage is inadvertently knocked away in the scramble to get it and Wobbuffet picks up the cage and runs off, with everyone else in pursuit. Though the others can't catch Wobbuffet, Nicholai notices it avoids them by moving in zigzag pattern and instructs Zangoose to do so in its battle. Zangoose succeeds in dodging the attacks and finishes Seviper with a Crush Claw. Pikachu is soon released and uses Thunder to blast off Team Rocket.

Soon after, Nicholai dons a Zigzagoon costume and Ash and Nicholai continue their battle with Pikachu versus Zigzagoon.