Electric Shock Showdown

**Electric Shock Showdown** (Japanese: **でんげきたいけつ！クチバジム** *Electric Shock Showdown! Kuchiba Gym*) is the 24th episode of season 1 of Pokémon Legends.

## Summary/Synopsis

*Our heroes are no longer revealed of their identities, but when they enter the main portion of Vermilion City, they discover that the Pokémon Center is filled with Pokémon hurt during battles with Lt. Surge, the Vermilion City Gym Leader.*

*Nanette, Red, Green, Chase and Elaine head to the Vermilion City Gym, where Lt. Surge is proud of his Raichu. (Lt. Surge's attitude is to evolve Pokémon as soon as possible.) The two Electric-type Pokémon battle, and Raichu, being the evolved form of Pikachu, delivers stronger attacks that unexpectedly sends the Trainers to the hospital unconscious. Not only Team Rocket, spying the scene from outside, is disappointed, but Marina becomes so mad that she swears vengeance.*

*Nurse Joy offers everyone an Evolution Stone, which is required for a Pokémon to evolve. As a Raichu, for example, Ashton would have a better chance of defeating Lt. Surge's Raichu, but if he evolves, he can never go back to being a Pikachu.*

*What will everyone decide? Are there disadvantages to evolving Pokémon as soon as possible? Why is Team Rocket rooting for our heroes? And can Nanette apologize for her actions to Sugar?*

## Plot

After the events of the previous episode, everyone has finally made it to the main portion of Vermilion City. Brock and Misty are eager to get cleaned up, but Red and Chase are more concerned about finding the Vermilion Gym while Nanette just aloofs around. However, Brock stops the boys and points out that none of their Pokémon are in condition to have a battle. Ashton and Chase are also very hungry. However, at the Pokémon Center, everyone witnesses Nurse Joy's Chansey and a Trainer run in. On a stretcher pushed by the Chansey is a badly beaten-up Rattata. Brock wonders what happened, and Nurse Joy sadly comments on all of the injured Pokémon brought in. Everyone is then taken to a room where there are many badly injured Pokémon, including a Caterpie, an Oddish, a Sandshrew, and the previously seen Rattata. Nurse Joy explains that they have all lost to Lt. Surge, the Vermilion City Gym Leader. At this, Nanette begins to worry over her upcoming Gym battle against Surge, but Marina realizes she's also worried about something else.

Misty unhelpfully reminds Nanette that she only received his first two Badges out of pity, but she retorts that a Badge is a Badge. After everyone gets into a heated brawl with Misty on the subject, a bell chimes to signal that everyone's Pokémon are fully recovered and Nijiko walks out since she always goes in with her Pokémon (her two main ones especially). However, upon seeing the injured Pokémon, Fiona becomes frightened to take on Lt. Surge and flatly states that there's no need to battle. Red, Green, Chase, Elaine and Nanette go to the Vermilion Gym anyway, and enter the Gym declaring the intention to win a Thunder Badge. Lt. Surge's two subordinates in the Gym mock Chase and Elaine because of their Pokémon, and the man himself is even crueler, christening the humans "babies" and their partners "baby Pokémon", much to Nanette's annoyance. Surge then calls on his Raichu, a Pokémon that has a personality very like its Trainer's. Despite Surge's assertion that they should have evolved their Pokémon already, Nanette protests, claiming that there is more to a Pokémon battle than evolution.

Listening to Surge's taunts, Gigi and Jessica decide that they're ready to fight Raichu. Lt. Surge accepts the 6-vs-1 challenge and the battle promptly begins. The two Electric-type Pokémon begin with a Thunder Shock attack, but Raichu's is significantly stronger and does far more damage to Ashton than Ashton deals to Raichu. Red realizes that Ashton simply cannot stand up to Raichu's more powerful attacks and recommends that they withdraw. However, Chase refuses and Ashton charges again at Raichu. The resulting trade-off between Ashton and his adversary leaves the Pokémon severely damaged by a Mega Punch and Mega Kick from Raichu, though the Trainers get thrown around afterward. Meanwhile, outside, Team Rocket is looking in, seeing everyone getting knocked around. Meowth suggests that they could steal Raichu, but Jessie and James decide that they should root for the twerps. However, Lt. Surge and Raichu have already won, with Raichu unleashing a powerful combo attack that knocks the Trainers and their Pokémon out easily.

Later, at the Pokémon Center, Nanette awakens, and Marina is relieved that she is all right. Nanette, however, is upset to have been beaten so badly by Raichu and has a hard time speaking at all. Nurse Joy enters the room, revealing that she has come across a set of Evolution Stones. With one of them, a Trainer could evolve a Pokémon as well. Brock warns everyone to think hard about this, because once a Pokémon evolves, there is no way to change it back. At this, Elaine is extremely torn. She knows that if she evolves Evolite, she might be able to defeat Lt. Surge. However, she also realizes that if a Pokemon were to evolve just to battle, it would be no better than Lt. Surge. Finally, she decides to let the Pokémon choose. Outside, Team Rocket watch intently to see what choice they will make. Ashton and Evolite stand up and whack away the stones with their tails. Nanette then goes into a tirade, which moves even Meowth to tears. Meowth explains that sometimes there's no need to change; Ashton and Evolite might want to battle Lt. Surge again, but as a Pikachu and Eevee; Nanette wants to win in the name of all Pokémon everywhere. Marina agrees with Nanette's decision and promises that she will win for her and the others. Brock suggests a strategy change, but Marina is convinced she'll find a way. Yvonne says Marina will fight to defend not just her sister's honor but also everyone else's. Brock believes that there might be a solution to defeat Lt. Surge and his Raichu after all when learning that Lt. Surge had evolved his Raichu the moment he caught it while Nanette manages to apologize to Sugar for being so harsh. Cheren, however, predicts something from the aftermath of the battle.

The next day, Marina heads towards the Vermilion Gym. After receiving bizarre cheers from Team Rocket, she arrives at the Gym, ready for their rematch. This time, it is to be Lt. Surge's Raichu against Gigi and Jessica. The battle begins, and Marina tells the Tepig and Popplio to stick to their Trainer's planned strategy. Lt. Surge uses the same strategy as last time, but Gigi and Jessica dodge Raichu's heavy attacks, causing Raichu to give itself recoil damage from moves like Body Slam. Gigi and Jessica then accelerate to full speed, learning Flame Charge and Aqua Jet respectfully in the process. Repeated Body Slam attempts from Raichu all miss completely, as the duo are simply too fast. Brock then reveals the strategy: because Lt. Surge evolved his Pikachu into a Raichu too fast, it never had a chance to learn the speed attacks it can only learn in Pikachu form. Lt. Surge, growing aggravated, orders Raichu to fill the entire Gym with a vicious Thunderbolt attack. Raichu rips up the arena floor and even blows out all the windows around the arena. At first, Lt. Surge is convinced he has won, but the smoke clears, revealing the unharmed Pokémon with a surprisingly magical, fiery and watery shield.

Brock explains that Gigi and Jessica used the Elémens' power to dodge the electric shocks. Lt. Surge orders another Thunderbolt, but Raichu is unable to muster up the electricity for it. Gigi and Jessica use Flame Charge and Aqua Jet again, to which Lt. Surge responded by ordering a Take Down. The quicker duo manage to strike first, slamming into Raichu's stomach. They then slam into Raichu while surrounding themselves with flames and water, knocking out their opponent and winning the match. Conceding defeat (as per prediction), Lt. Surge awards Marina with five Thunder Badges. He no longer refers to her as a "baby", and Raichu even shows kindness and respect for the Tepig and Popplio as well. As Rotom happily shocks everyone by accident, Team Rocket walk off, with James realizing that they had spent the episode helping the Harmonic Starlight Skies and their allies.

## Major Events

* Everyone meets the local Gym Leader, Lt. Surge.
* Nanette, Red, Green, Chase and Elaine have a Gym battle with Lt. Surge, but are defeated.
	+ In the process, Nanette gets hit so hard that she falls into a trance, but wakes up after getting taken to the hospital. This enrages Jim but the Porters stopped him.
* All of the Trainers receive a Evolution Stone from Nurse Joy.
* Yvonne decides to evolve Flare when she's ready.
* Gigi learns Flame Charge while Jessica learns Aqua Jet.
* Marina challenges Lt. Surge to a rematch intended for Nanette and the others, wining and earning a Thunder Badge for the Gym Challengers.

## Characters

#### **Humans**

* Nanette Daisy
* Marina Daisy
* Glorysia Melody
* Karyll Aguilar
* Red Fire
* Green Leaf
* Chase Ketchum
* Elaine Gabena
* Ethan Gold
* Lyra Silver
* Brendan Birch
* May Maple
* Lucas Diamond
* Dawn Berliz
* Barry Pearl
* Verity Platinum
* Sorrel Virile
* Hilbert Miller
* Hilda Mari
* Bianca Tulip
* Cheren Harkabune
* Nate Miller
* Rosa Mari
* Calem Xavier
* Serena Yvonne
* Elio Sunne
* Selene Moonne
* Mallow Flores
* Lillie Aether
* Lana Davis
* Pollen Yellow
* Victor Woods
* Gloria Tate
* Jim Porter
* Leah Rosie
* Parker Robertson
* Karen Porter
* Lucas Porter
* Asumi Breeze
* Elizabeth Storybook
* Bloom Peters
* Flora Gabena
* Stella Star
* Musa
* Tecna
* Aisha
* Roxy Page
* Chloe Porter
* Mirta Springriver
* Amelia Porter
* Lily Porter
* Ellie Porter
* Jane Springriver
* Brianna Porter
* Fiona Woods
* Marie Fragans
* Yvonne Burns
* Jessie
* James
* Brock Harrison
* Charlie Garcia
* Charlene Garcia
* Misty Waterflower
* Miranda Skylark
* Aurea Juniper
* Fennel Rosetta
* Sonia Magnolia
* Catherine Porter
* Delia Ketchum
* Elis Daisy
* Lt. Surge
* Trainers
* Vermilion Gym Trainers

#### **Pokemon**

* Tepig (Nanette's, Gigi)
* Popplio (Nanette's, Jessica)
* Fennekin (Glorysia's, Skylinda)
* Riolu (Glorysia's, Kestin)
* Charmeleon (Red's, Char)
* Krabby (Red's, Krab)
* Pidgeotto (Red's, Oscar)
* Ivysaur (Green's, Saur)
* Clefairy (Green's, Limey)
* Pikachu (Chase's, Ashton)
* Eevee (Elaine's, Evolite)
* Oddish (Elaine's, Olive)
* Vulpix (Miranda's, Veronica)
* Star Lucario (Jim's, formerly Ryu)
* Charizard (Jim's, Flaris)
* Chespin (Jim's, Chester)
* Rotom (Elizabeth's)
* Ninja Dragonet (Elizabeth's, Bubbles/Dragonet)
* Castform (Elizabeth's, Casty)
* Cherrim (Elizabeth's, Bluey)
* Scorbunny (Bloom's, Kiko)
* Chikorita (Flora's, Plante)
* Eevee (Stella's, Whiteley)
* Bounsweet (Musa's, Stena)
* Rotom (Tecna's, Tony)
* Piplup (Aisha's, Pippy)
* Scorbunny (Chloe's, Wilbur)
* Ralts (Ellie's, Venus)
* Pikachu (Amelia's, Pika)
* Spiky-Eared Eevee (Amelia's, Emily)
* Carbink (Jane's, Carl)
* Sobble (Jane's, Sobby)
* Diancie (Mirta's, Dia)
* Torchic (Mirta's, Fire)
* Squirtle (Mirta's, Squirt)
* Pachirisu (Lily's, Risa)
* Riolu (Lily's, Lu)
* Buneary (Lily's, Bunny)
* Eevee (Lily's, Hearty)
* Cyndaqil (Parker's, Enrico)
* Honedge (Parker's, Shielder)
* Kubfu (Leah's, Jay)
* Rotom (Leah's, Joule)
* Swablu (Leah's, Cloudy)
* Spritzee (Marie's; Citronelle)
* Bounsweet (Marie's; Reena)
* Cherrim (Marie's; Pinkie)
* Clefairy (Marie's, Clefy)
* Vulpix (Yvonne's; Pixie)
* Eevee (Yvonne's; Flare)
* Cherrim (Yvonne's; Reddie)
* Ninja Dragonet (Fiona's; Pumpkin Bread)
* Mudbray (Fiona's; Muddy)
* Cherrim (Fiona's; Brownie)
* Buneary (Fiona's; Anna)
* Meowth (Team Rocket)
* Ninja Dragonet (Carrot Cake)
* Ninja Dragonet (Pudding)
* Ninja Dragonet (Sugar)
* Chansey (Nurse Joy's)
* Ninja Dragonet (Nurse Joy's)
* Raichu (Lt. Surge's; debut)
* Caterpie (Trainer's)
* Pidgey (Trainer's)
* Rattata (Trainer's)
* Sandshrew (Trainer's)
* Oddish (Trainer's)

## Scripts

* Japanese Version
* Italian Nick Version
* Italian Clieume Version
* Italian DuArt Version
* English Nick Version
* English Clieume Version
* English DuArt Version
* 4Kids Version
* Viz Version

## Trivia

* When Ashton battles Lt. Surge's Raichu, Meowth is seen polishing an extra coin. However, Meowth is later revealed to be unable to use Pay Day.
* This is the first time in the anime where Team Rocket disguises themselves.
	+ Team Rocket's disguise is a reference to the gag manga series *Ay! Flower Cheering Team*. Jessie even does the main character's pose when she sticks her tongue out.
* This is the first episode where a Gym Badge is won for actually defeating the Gym Leader in battle.
* This episode marks the first time that Team Rocket doesn't refer to a main character by 'twerp' or 'twerpette' (in this case, Meowth referring to Marina and Nanette), when they show their support for "the brave Daisy Sisters." This is also the first time they express support for them.
* The fourth wall breaks when...
	+ Evolite says that the writers must have forgotten about the serum scene.
	+ At the end, James says "Drat, we wasted this episode cheering the good guys!" This also marks the first time when Team Rocket has broken the fourth wall.
* Team Rocket does not blast off in this episode.
* This episode confirms that Ninja Dragonets can learn every Pokémon move that does not involve legs (but can get around their lack of legs with Transform), as when Rotom was confused when the Ninja Dragonet owned by Nurse Joy used SoftBoiled, Chansey explains that they can learn and use every move.
* Citronelle makes a reference to her evolved form when she says "if [she] evolved, [she won't] fly anymore."
* Pudding does the *akanbe* gesture, which is left in the dub. However, she pulls her eyelid down and spits a Water Gun instead of sticking her tongue out.
* During Marina's rematch that was intended for her, Nanette is seen with crutches. This indicates she was a casualty until the next episode.

### Errors

* In one of the Pokémon Center shots, Misty's suspenders are shown as light blue instead of red.
* When Nurse Joy is explaining that all Nurse Joys look alike, she says the one in Pewter City is her first cousin, and the one in Viridian City is her second cousin. However, in *The Winx Enter! The Defendix Club Forms!*, the Nurse Joy in Viridian City called the one in Pewter City her sister. If they were sisters, they would both share the same relationship with the one in Vermilion City, such as both being first cousins or second cousins.
	+ It is much more likely that the Nurse Joys simply come from a different ethnic group than the heroes and just all look alike to them since they don't know them personally.
* When Nijiko walks out of the healing room with her Pokémon and the three baby Ninja Dragonets, Pudding's colors are inverted for a second on the tray.
	+ It is unknown why she, Carrot Cake, and Sugar are even seen on the tray when Nijiko comes out of the healing room with Rotom and Dragonet despite them being stuck as babies due to the serum and never battling unless they have to. For Sugar, it may be because Nanette spanked and bruised her in the previous episode, but it is unclear why Pudding and Carrot Cake were healed.
* During the scene in which Nurse Joy gives the heroes the set of Evolution Stones, the symbol on her hat changes from orange to light blue, then back to orange.
* When Team Rocket begins looking into the Vermilion Gym window, Jessie and James lack gloves.
* When Ashton and Evolite knocks their Stones away with their tails, Ashton's bandage does not completely cover his cheek, although it did earlier in the scene.
* When Team Rocket watches the Pokémon make their decision to evolve, Jessie's lips move before any sound comes out.

### Dub Edits

* In the original version, the welcome sign says "Welcome to Kuchiba City", while in the dub, it just says "Vermilion City".
* Brock's implication that Pokémon generally change completely upon evolution is not in the Japanese version.
* In the original version, no music is played during the scene where the Pokémon are making their decision on whether to evolve or not.
* Lt. Surge said that he didn't need to use Electric attacks, and would do fine with Normal attacks in the Japanese version.
* The shot of Raichu constantly trying to Body Slam but missing Gigi and Jessica is longer in the English dub than it is in the original Japanese version. Raichu tries to Body Slam twice in the Japanese version, but in the English dub, Raichu tries *three times*.
* In the original Japanese version, Lt. Surge uses English curse words when Gigi and Jessica use Flame Charge and Aqua Jet. The 4Kids dub changes it to "Okay!"
* In the dub, Lt. Surge tells Raichu to finish Gigi and Jessica with a Thunderbolt. In the original version, he tells Raichu to "cut off the babies' movements".
* The shot where Raichu launches its final Thunderbolt is slightly shorter in the English dubbed version than in the Japanese version.
* The music briefly stops when Ashton is hit by Raichu's Thunder Shock in the dub.

### Easter Eggs

* When Rotom cheers after Marina beats Lt. Surge, its childish dancing resembles Banana Joe and his parents dancing in *The Amazing World of Gumball* episode "The Job."
* Muddy asks Chase if Ashton is going to grow to the size of a house as a result of love. This is a clear reference to *Clifford The Big Red Dog.* As a bonus, Nijiko gives a glare in the 4Kids English dub since her name is Elizabeth in that dub, referencing Clifford's owner Emily Elizabeth from said series. Elaine also blushes at Chase awkwardly, confirming that she has a canonical crush on him.
* When Karyll cheers to everyone, Elec Man can be seen.