Pewter City Showdown

**Pewter City Showdown** (Japanese: **ニビジムのたたかい！** *Nibi Gym Battle!*) is the eighth episode of season 1 of Pokemon Legends.

## Summary/Synopsis

*Jessie, James, and Meowth dig a trap for our heroes, but they end up falling into it themselves!*

*The Harmonic Starlight Skies and their allies arrive at Pewter City and meet a curious fellow named Flint, who notices that Chase's Pikachu is tired and shows them the way to the Pokémon Center.*

*At the Pokémon Center, Nanette, Red, Green, Chase and Elaine all read a poster promoting the Pokémon League Regional Championships—to compete, you have to beat gym leaders from various towns and win their badges. Each Trainer challenges the Pewter City Gym Leader, Brock, but Nanette thinks she has no chance against Brock's Rock-type Pokémon. Later, Flint shows the heroes a surprising side of Brock—when he's not battling and raising Pokémon, he has to take care of his ten brothers and sisters.*

*Will this news affect the desire to battle Brock again for the Rock Badge? Who is this Flint guy, and why does he insist on helping Chase train his Pikachu for the rematch? And will Team Rocket ever climb out of that hole?*

## Plot

Team Rocket finishes digging a hole trap and disguises it with soil, leaves, and wood, though they fall into it soon after they forget its location. Meanwhile, the heroes arrive at the outskirts of Pewter City. As Glorysia takes a rest on some rocks, she and her friends meet a mysterious man named Flint, who sells rocks for a living. Flint escorts them to the Pokémon Center, where Nanette is surprised to encounter Nurse Joy again. She explains that she is the Viridian City Joy's older sister. She directs everyone's attention to a poster promoting a tournament called the Pokémon League Championship and Nanette, Red, Green, Chase and Elaine all decide to sign up, much to Flora's happiness in Elaine's case. Before anyone can enter, however, they need to defeat eight Pokémon Gym Leaders and earn a Gym Badge from each as proof of victory. Flint walks in at this point and tells Nanette about Pewter City's Gym Leader, Brock. He is openly skeptical of everyone's chances of winning, and laughs scornfully at the very thought of it. Over a meal, Glorysia warns Nanette of Gym Leaders' prodigious skill and offers her advice, but she becomes angry when Red attempts to make her decline and walks off, leaving Cheren paying the bill out of annoyance.

Everyone stops by the Pokémon Center again to pick up their Pokemon before making their way to the Pewter Gym. When they arrive, the Gym is dark, though they soon meets the Gym Leader, Brock, and challenges Red to a battle. Brock queries Nanette, and she replies that she has been travelling with her Tepig for two weeks, much to Glorysia's chagrin. With a snap of his fingers, Brock transforms the Gym into a rocky field and turns on the lights. In the Pewter Gym, battles are two against two. Nanette decides to volunteer to go last.

When her turn finally comes, Nanette begins her match with Gigi while Brock starts off with Onix. The Tepig is intimidated by the giant Pokémon and doesn't want to battle, but Nanette responds by telling the Fire Pig Pokémon that this is her battle. Gigi's Ember is woefully ineffective against Onix's Bind, which begins to crush her, inflicting visible pain. This prompts Nanette to recall Gigi to her Poké Ball, though the attempt is thwarted by the larger Pokémon's bulk. Nanette cannot bear to watch her partner's suffering, and even though she's happy for her friends (who won off-screen), she still forfeits the match, thinking she's going to suffer.

As a dejected Nanette leaves the Gym, she encounters Flint again, who suggests that Nanette follow him to his home. Nanette agrees while deciding to bring her friends along, and over some tea they discuss what happened in the Gym. Flint notices that Nanette is obviously upset over her loss, so he consoles her with the knowledge that Brock could be an even better Trainer than he already is. Everyone becomes confused by this, but Flint refuses to elaborate. Instead, he leads the heroes outside to peer over a hedge into another house. Everyone watches as Brock, dressed in a pink apron, cares for his nine little brothers and sisters.

Walking through the city, Flint explains that after Brock's good-for-nothing father left home to become a Pokémon Trainer, his heartbroken mother abandoned them, leaving the eldest child, Brock, to take care of his siblings. Chase feels sympathy for Brock, but is determined to help Nanette defeat him nonetheless. Flint recognizes Chase's determination and mentions that he might know of a way Chase can super-charge his Pikachu just in case his friend doesn't have the will to fight. As everyone leaves, Nanette is about to go as well, but she notices a ball of darkness going into her arm and screams in pain. Marina realizes that she's turning into a Nightmare and tries to tell everyone not to go with Flint, but fails because she was sharing the same pain for an odd reason.

A while later, it is revealed that the Nightmare had gotten everyone cornered. Marina, weakened, says that she's very afraid to attack her own sister, but Chase refuses to take that for an answer. As Hilda starts wondering what can they do, the Winx step up and say they got a plan. Chase wants to take part too, and as they and their Pokémon prepare, the night sky is lighten up. Three days later, Nanette returns with confidence to the Pewter City Gym for a rematch. Brock is also confident after his easy victory in the last battle, but before the two could quickly start the rematch, Nanette suddenly faints. Annoyed, Chase decides to fight again in order to help his friend, to which the Gym Leader agrees. Brock starts off with Geodude, while Chase sends out Nanette's Pidgey. However, the Normal and Flying-type Pokémon cannot hurt Geodude, and is knocked out. Chase recalls it and sends out his Pikachu. Elaine watches and she and Gigi cheer for Chase from the rafters, though she and her friends are later outnumbered by Brock's supportive siblings.

Brock comments on how weak Ashton and Chase are, and Chase retorts by commanding Ashton's attack, which easily knocks Geodude down and makes everyone stunned at this. Brock recalls his Geodude and sends out Onix, and a fearful Pikachu tries another Electric attack, damaging the Gym instead. Onix wraps Ashton with Bind, but the Mouse Pokémon makes a comeback with his new and very first spell, Thunder Strike, which manages to only injure Onix. Just as Ashton is about to pass out, Brock suddenly spares it by calling Onix off. He tells Chase to forfeit before any more harm comes to Ashton. Chase protests, wanting to finish the battle.

Suddenly, the Gym's sprinklers are set off by a fire caused by Ashton's earlier Electric-type spell. Water sprays all over Onix, weakening it and allowing Ashton to fight back with another Electric attack. Just as Chase is about to command Ashton to finish Onix off, Brock's brothers and sisters all crowd Chase and beg him to stop. Brock orders his brothers and sisters to not get involved, but they protest, knowing that Brock's love of Pokémon would make it painful for him to continue the match and watch his Onix get hurt further. At this, Chase calls back his Pikachu. He explains that if he defeated Brock now, it would only be because of the sprinklers being set off. He decides he wants to win his friend's Badge fair and square, but Glorysia forcefully forfeits the match and attempts to change his mind, much to everyone else's angst.

Glorysia and her friends leave the Pewter Gym, and apologizes to a now-awakened Nanette for being so tough at her. She turns around after hearing someone calling, and notices Brock running up to her. Brock gives Red, Green, Chase, Elaine and, surprisingly, Nanette, the Boulder Badge. Nanette doesn't want to accept the Badge, but Brock insists that Nanette has earned it through her kindness to Pokémon. Brock continues to explain that rather than becoming a great Pokémon Trainer, his dream is to become a great Pokémon Breeder, but can't do so because of his family duties. He gives everyone their Badges, and asks Nanette to fulfill his dream, to which she agrees with the Light of Hope glowing in her hand.

Suddenly, Flint reappears and removes his beard and hat, revealing that he is Brock's good-for-nothing father. He explains that he avoided returning to his family as a failure of a Pokémon Trainer. Cheren puzzles over the fact that Flint helped Chase instead of his son, Brock, and Flint explains that Chase's helplessness reminded him of himself. Flint is ready to take back the responsibilities that he abandoned years ago, which Brock returns to him, along with a long list of tasks for him to remember while taking care of the children. That evening, the heroes and Brock travel on the road out of Pewter City. Leah insists that she is glad to have him along as a member of Team Go-Getters. Parker smiles at his friend, and everyone happily starts running.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket finally manages to burst out of their trap via power drill, only to end up being trampled by the Harmonic Starlight Skies and their allies.

## Major Events

* The three certain Team Rocket members are officially introduced.
* The heroes reach Pewter City.
* Everyone learns about the Pokémon League, Gym Leaders, and Gym Badges.
* Nanette, Red, Green, Chase and Elaine decide to take part in Kanto's Gym Challenge.
* The heroes meet Brock, the Pewter Gym Leader, and his father, Flint.
* The challengers have their first Gym battle at the Pewter Gym against Brock and Nanette forfeits her match right after thinking she may not win and suffer her first loss despite the fact her friends won off-screen, making *her* suffer from a Nightmare instead.
	+ While her friends try to save her, the Winx's Pokémon learn new moves.
	+ The Winx themselves also use their Attack Élémen Charms for the first time.
	+ Chase even learns Thunder of Newfound Psasion while Ashton learns Thunder Strike as a result of their courage.
* Nanette attempts to have a rematch with Brock, but passes out due to all of her energy being lost when she got turned back to normal, making Chase fight in her place. However, Glorysia later forfeits the rematch by force.
* Brock follows Glorysia and gives her Gym Challenging friends their first Badge, the Boulder Badge.
* Brock joins the heroes as a member of Team Go-Getters, leaving the Pewter Gym in his father's care.
* Jim spots a sign of corruption on his left arm, and decides to hide it away. He resists the pain to keep the secret.
	+ This makes the Defendix Club and Team Go-Getters suspicious of him, wondering what is wrong with him. However, Nanette is much more suspicious than the others, accidentally making Marina say something against her will.
	+ Chloe also asks her uncle why he clenched his teeth. Jim says it was nothing and just some sudden jolt of pain he had for the first time. This makes Nanette realize something bad is going to happen if someone within them gets corrupted again.

## 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
* Asumi Breeze
* Elizabeth Storybook
* Bloom Peters
* Flora Gabena
* Stella Star
* Musa
* Tecna
* Aisha
* Chloe Porter
* Mirta Springriver
* Amelia Porter
* Lily Porter
* Ellie Porter
* Jane Springriver
* Fiona Woods
* Marie Fragans
* Yvonne Burns
* Jessie (debut)
* James (debut)
* Brock Harrison (debut)

#### **Pokemon**

* Tepig (Nanette's, Gigi)
* Fennekin (Glorysia's, Skylinda)
* Riolu (Glorysia's, Kestin)
* Charmander (Red's, Char)
* Bulbasaur (Green's, Saur)
* Pikachu (Chase's, Ashton)
* Eevee (Elaine's, Evolite)
* Star Lucario (Jim's)
* 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)
* Spritzee (Marie's; Citronelle)
* Bounsweet (Marie's; Reena)
* Cherrim (Marie's; Pinkie)
* 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)
* Meowth (Team Rocket, debut)
* Geodude (Brock's, debut)
* Onix (Brock's, debut)

## 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

* This episode introduces Team Rocket's pitfall trap gag.
* This episode establishes the fact that there are multiple Nurse Joys who are all part of a large extended family.
* This is the first episode in which Team Rocket appears but has no effect on the plot.
* The poster in the Pokémon Center uses type symbols from the TCG, specifically, from top to bottom, the Lightning, Psychic, Grass, Fighting, Fire, and Water symbols.
* This episode introduced the greatest number of named recurring characters in the anime, due to the presence of Brock's siblings.
* Nanette mentions that it had nearly been two weeks since she started on her journey in this episode.
* This is the first time a main character got corrupted.
* Brock's siblings restraining Chase is similar to a scene in the series *Star of the Giants*.
* A scene where Jim goes deep into the woods in order to dismember his corrupted arm got scrapped due to gore and blood.
* It is shown that Nijiko always goes in with Rotom and Dragonet to be healed, as shown when they screamed their heads off when the Chansey was about to take them away and said their PTSD makes them terrified without her.
* This episode reveals that, like the games, nicknames for Pokemon are optional.
* Charlie, Charlene, Elizabeth, Fiona, Marie, Yvonne and Carrot Cake all read the preview for the next episode, but the 4th wall is broken in the process.

#### **Errors**

* When Nanette begins her battle with Brock, the giant rock in the middle of the platform that moved into position disappears. This was fixed during Chase's rematch to help her.
* In the English Nick dub, Flint says that Brock has ten little brothers and sisters when he only has nine. This was fixed in the other dubs.
* In most of the English dubs, when Brock says, "Geodude, go!" during his rematch with Chase (who replaced Nanette due to her lack of energy), his mouth does not move when he says "go!".
* Nanette's right eye appears pink for a second in one scene.

#### **Dub Edits**

* Flint charges a $2 fee for sitting on his rocks, or ¥50 in the Japanese version.
* The restaurant bill was changed from ¥1150 to $1150. The top of the bill's writing is removed and bottom of the bill is changed from "Restaurant Nibi" to "Thank You".
* The udon at the restaurant is changed to spaghetti.
* Instead of saying Brock's mother left the family to Brock's care, Flint tells everyone that she died after trying to raise the family on her own. This resulted in an inconsistency in the English Nick dub, as Brock's mother, Lola, appears in *A Family That Battles Together Stays Together!*, as well as in several other episodes afterward.
* The swear word Marina says to Nanette is censored in the Japanese and Viz dubs, the 4Kids dub replaces it with her calling the 10-year old girl 'hideous' and the Italian and other English dubs change it to her being called too serious.

#### **Easter Eggs**

* Before Red can battle with Brock, right before Brock switches the lights of the Gym on, Nanette's eyes are colored white with yellow scarlea. This happens again when Nanette attempts to recall Gigi during her battle with him.
	+ This is also an error, but the creators admitted that in a future season, Nanette's ultimate potential will awaken the next phase of everyone's powers.
* When Karyll runs in Pewter City, Elec Man and Fire Man can be seen.
* During the scene where Jim drinks a soda can, DIO from "*JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders*" can be seen behind the bushes.