


When another flood comes behind Ash, Oshawott manages to save him with a Water Gun. When it makes a hot river and traps the other Pokémon on a small island, the Sandile form a bridge to save them, but Ash is trapped on the island when their grip fails. After coming across Oshawott and Team Rocket again, Ash, Iris, and Dan discover that the Sandile were trying to get help for a group of Pidove, Deerling, and Patrat from a hot spring with the hot flooding.

They soon come across a boy named Dan, whose father owns a resort with a sand spa that has been disrupted by a group of Sandile, led by one of them that wears sunglasses. Professor Juniper sends Ash Oshawott's Poké Ball, but Oshawott disappears before he can be recaptured. They find out it wants to be captured by Ash because he called it very cute. While on their way to the first Gym, Ash and Iris realize that they are being followed by the Oshawott from Professor Juniper's lab.

"A Sandile Gusher of Change" (Mijumaru! Meguroco! Critical Moment!!) As the two head off, Oshawott watches from afar. Ash and Iris take their Pokémon to a Pokémon Center, where Iris decides to travel with Ash and Pikachu through Unova, as she knows her way around the region. Team Rocket gets away when James throws a smoke pilet. However, an Oshawott from Juniper's lab appears and saves Pikachu and Axew. When Team Rocket appears and tries to steal Pikachu and Axew, Ash tries to use his new Pidove against Jessie and her new Woobat, but Pidove is overpowered. Ash sees a flock of Pidove and battles one of them, capturing it. On his way, he discovers an Axew belonging to a trainer named Iris. Professor Juniper gives Ash a new Pokédex and Poké Balls so he can begin his journey in Unova. Transcription: " Airisu to Kibago!" ( Japanese: アイリスとキバゴ!)Īfter the strange black cloud disappears, Pikachu's Electric moves are restored. "Enter Iris and Axew!" (Iris and Kibago!) In a practice match against Trip, it is discovered that Pikachu can no longer use Electric-type moves, which Juniper attributes to the lightning bolt caused by the Legendary Pokémon, Zekrom. After meeting up with Professor Juniper, Unova's lead Pokémon researcher, Ash encounters Trip, who is beginning his Pokémon League challenge with the Grass-type Pokémon Snivy, rather than the Fire-type Tepig or the Water-type Oshawott. A strange black cloud forms overhead, and it hits Ash's Pikachu with a lightning bolt. Transcription: " Isshu Chihō e! Zekuromu no Kage!!" ( Japanese: イッシュ地方へ!ゼクロムの影!!)Īsh, Pikachu, Ash's mother, and Professor Oak head off for a trip to the Unova region. "In the Shadow of Zekrom!" (To the Isshu Region! Zekrom's Shadow!!)
