The battle between Trip and Ash continues... Pikachu manages to get up after getting hit by Serperior's Dragon Tail. Before Pikachu could have retaliated, Serperior hits it with Energy Ball and Dragon Tail. Then Serperior uses Wrap and Pikachu is in a tight squeeze. Ash calls out for a Thunderbolt, but Serperior merely passes the electricity underground by burying his tail and using it as a lightning rod.
Ash yells to him, and all the memories of his previous battles come on his mind. Ash quickly hatches a new plan. As Pikachu's tail was outside of Serperior's grip, he commands an Iron Tail which allows him to break free. Once more, the attack is repeated, but Serperior's Dragon Tail once again causes Pikachu to flinch. Ash, to Trip's sheer astonishment, orders Pikachu to gather electricity on his tail and he uses a unique Electro Ball and Iron Tail combo. Serperior counters with Dragon Tail, and a large explosion occurs. When the smoke clears, Pikachu collapses onto the ground, but manages to stand up within a few seconds with faltering steps. Serperior, however, is unconscious, and Trip has been defeated. Their rivalry ends, and friendship blooms its first bud.
With Trip and Ash's battle done, the League goes on to the first round. Cameron is matched up with Bianca, and their battle begins in earnest. Bianca starts up with her Escavalier, while Cameron goes on with Samurott. Escavalier uses Iron Defense several times, but Samurott still manages to beat it. Next up, Bianca sends out Emboar. Cameron thinks that he will win because of type advantage, but Bianca surprises everyone by using Attract on Samurott to infatuate it, and then knocks it out. Now one on one, Cameron sends out his Riolu. Riolu displays quite a battling prowess, and manages to turn hostile situations into an advantage. Riolu finally knocks out Emboar with a Vacuum Wave, giving Cameron the win, and knocking Bianca out of the Vertress Conference.
TRIVIA
- Professor Oak's Pokémon Live Caster: Preview of upcoming episodes and the Unova League Pokémon World Tournament download.
- This episode marks Ash's first victory against Trip.
- Trip's Serperior's use of his tail as a lightningrod for Pikachu's Electric attack is similar to the tactic used by Jeanette Fisher's Bellsprout in The Fourth Round Rumble and Winona's Pelipper in Sky High Gym Battle!.
- This is the first time since his capture that Pignite was not used in a battle against Trip.
- This episode was followed by a brief teaser for Best Wishes Season 2: Episode N.
- Iris narrates the preview for the next episode.
- In one of the crowd shots, Woobat's wings are colored blue like its body, instead of black.
- When Kendrick first commanded his Eelektross to use an attack, he said "Crunch Claw" when he should have said Crunch.
- While Bianca is commanding her Emboar to use Attract, she says "Emborn" instead of "Emboar".
