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'''As Clear as Crystal''' (Japanese: '''サンダーとクリスタル！みずうみのひみつ！''' ''{{tt|Thunder|Zapdos}} and the Crystal! Secret of the Lake!'') is the 242nd episode of the [[Pokémon anime]]. It was first broadcast in Japan on March 28, 2002 and in the United States on April 12, 2003.  
 
'''As Clear as Crystal''' (Japanese: '''サンダーとクリスタル！みずうみのひみつ！''' ''{{tt|Thunder|Zapdos}} and the Crystal! Secret of the Lake!'') is the 242nd episode of the [[Pokémon animated series]]. It was first broadcast in Japan on March 28, 2002, and in the United States on April 12, 2003.  


{{spoilers}}
{{spoilers}}


==Synopsis==
==Blurb==
As {{Ash}} and {{ashfr}} continue to [[Blackthorn City]], we see them still in the forest looking for a way out. Ash is still under {{jo|Lily}}'s [[Ashachu]] spell, but soon the spell wears off, Ash becomes human again, and everyone is relieved. Now, however, they still have a small problem; they are completely lost in the woods. Of course, {{an|Misty}} blames it on Ash as usual and insults him by saying she liked him a whole lot better when he was still a {{p|Pikachu}}.
<!--https://www.pokemon.com/us/animation/seasons/5/episode-33-as-clear-as-crystal/-->
<i>When a tangle with Team Rocket leaves Pikachu desperately exhausted, a young passerby offers to restore Pikachu's energy, but only if the humans present promise never to reveal to another soul what they are about to see. This trainer then proceeds to guide Ash and friends to a legendary lake that somehow seems to restore energy to the Electric Pokémon that live along its banks. Unfortunately, however, Team Rocket manages to tail the young trainers as they enter. Jessie and James are quick to make plans to lay waste to the serene lake, trading its pristine essence for personal gain.</i>


While walking through the woods, Ash and his friends meet up with [[Jessie]], [[James]] and {{MTR}} in disguise. They proceed to tell Ash that his {{AP|Pikachu}} loses energy because it's lost and they can recharge it with their new invention, the ''PikaPower Mach III''. Jessie then rips Pikachu off Ash's shoulder and straps it in and radios to Meowth who swoops down in their balloon and takes Pikachu, Jessie, and James into the sky. Jessie then tells Ash to command Pikachu to use {{m|Thunderbolt}}. But what Ash and his friends don't know is that, as opposed to recharging Pikachu, the chair actually saps Pikachu of its energy. Ash tells Pikachu to give it all he's got and eventually the chair releases Pikachu and {{TRT}} goes blasting off again.
==Plot==
The group continues towards [[Blackthorn City]], and {{Ash}} returns to his human self after being turned into [[Ashachu|a Pikachu]] by {{OBP|Lily|EP241}}'s spell in [[EP241|the previous episode]]. Now one issue is solved, but {{an|Misty}} is furious to learn that they are once again lost in a forest. Ash manages to settle Misty before {{TRT}} appear [[List of Team Rocket's disguises|disguised in an orange and purple tuxedo]]. [[James]] removes the white cloth covering the [[Team Rocket's mechas|''PikaPower Mach II'']], a machine designed to restore electricity of tired {{t|Electric}} Pokémon like [[Ash's Pikachu]]. [[Jessie]] rips Pikachu off Ash's shoulder and straps him in. Next, she radios in {{MTR}} who swoops down in the balloon and takes Pikachu, Jessie, and James into the sky. As they ascend, Jessie and James remove their disguises to reveal themselves. Jessie tells Ash to command Pikachu to use {{m|Thunderbolt}}. But the energy is absorbed into Team Rocket's machine, which also has the power to forcibly drain its victims of energy. Team Rocket threatens to sap all of Pikachu's power if Ash doesn't hand over the rest of his Pokémon, but Ash simply tells Pikachu to give it all he's got. Soon enough, Pikachu's power overloads the machine and Team Rocket goes blasting off. Ash happily catches Pikachu, but the power drain has left him exhausted.


Just then a girl named [[Krystal]] meets up with Ash and his friends. {{an|Brock}}, of course, falls in love with her at first sight. However, Ash goes on telling her that Pikachu is badly hurt and that there isn't a [[Pokémon Center]] for miles around. She asks them to keep a very big secret for her if she helps them out.
Just then, a girl named [[Krystal]] approaches the group. {{an|Brock}} instantly falls in love with her at first sight. However, Ash goes on to tell her that Pikachu is badly hurt and that there isn't a [[Pokémon Center]] for miles around. Krystal offers to help but asks them to keep a very big secret for her in return, and the group agrees to the request. She leads them up a large hill. As they walk, the group notices numerous Electric Pokémon climbing up the hill - Krystal tells them that they're all going there for a special reason. When they get to the top of the hill, they find a big lake, which Krystal claims has magical healing powers; the Electric-types come here to rest and recharge. She orders Ash to put Pikachu into the water, and the Mouse Pokémon is soon good as new. After Pikachu is healed, Krystal takes Ash and his friends out to the middle of the lake in a speedboat to show them the secret to the lake's power. When they look down from the bottom of the boat, they see what looks like an underwater temple with a crystal at the bottom. Krystal informs them that the Electric Pokémon have been coming to the lake for years. She explains that according to legend, the temple sank into the water after torrential rains.


Krystal takes our heroes up a large hill where they soon notice that {{type|Electric}} Pokémon are also climbing up the hill. Krystal tells them that they're all going there for a special reason. When they get to the top of the hill they come to a big lake, and Krystal tells them that Electric-type Pokémon come to rest in there if they're worn out and tells them that the water has magical healing powers. She then orders Ash to put Pikachu into the water.  
Unknowingly, Jessie, James, and Meowth are eavesdropping on the conversation and plot to steal the legendary crystal to become instantly rich. The evil trio put a plan into motion, and use a large mechanical {{p|Tentacruel}}. They retrieve the crystal with little difficulty, but its light suddenly fades out, alerting Ash and his friends that something's up. The Team Rocket trio reveals themselves, reciting their {{motto}} before floating away in their balloon. As our heroes fume over this occurrence, the Electric Pokémon start to follow Team Rocket in an attempt to get the crystal back. Ash orders Pikachu to {{m|Thunderbolt}} them, and the other Electric Pokémon join in on the attack. However, Team Rocket sucks in their energy with the new and improved ''PikaPower Mach III''. Gloating that their new machine is better than ever, the villains begin forcibly drawing energy from the Electric Pokémon, but black clouds appear in the sky, followed by a mighty screech and a huge bolt of lightning that breaks the circuit between the Electric Pokémon and the machine.


After Pikachu is healed, Krystal takes Ash and his friends out to the middle of the lake in a speedboat to show them the secret to the lake's power. When they look down from the bottom of the boat they see what looks like an underwater temple with a crystal at the bottom. Krystal tells them how the electric Pokémon have been coming to the lake for years and how they are healed by the lake's power. Jessie and James are eavesdropping in on the conversation and plot to steal the crystal.
As everyone wonders what this means, the sky darkens and the clouds part to reveal the [[legendary birds|Legendary Bird]] {{p|Zapdos}}. In a rage, Zapdos flies towards Team Rocket to zap their PikaPower Mach III. However, even Zapdos loses energy and the group starts to wonder why it doesn't seem to have much power in the first place. Team Rocket gloats, but Zapdos unleashes its full power and overloads the ''PikaPower Mach III'', sending Team Rocket blasting off again. But then Zapdos falls out of the sky to the ground. Still angry and flailing about, it finally faints.


Meanwhile, Ash and his friends are talking about how the lake needs to be kept secret and how bad it would be if the wrong people got a hold of the crystal.
Krystal tells the group that this is the ''real'' secret - Zapdos itself often visits the lake to recharge itself. Needing the crystal to heal Zapdos, Ash and his friends set off to find Team Rocket and the crystal. Pikachu senses the crystal is nearby, so they follow it to where Team Rocket had crashed. In an attempt to keep the crystal for themselves, Team Rocket sends out {{TP|Jessie|Arbok}} and {{TP|James|Victreebel}} - although James again has to deal with the latter attempting to eat his head. Jessie orders Arbok to use {{m|Poison Sting}}, but Ash's Pikachu dodges and uses {{m|Quick Attack}}. With Arbok thrown into Jessie by the force of the blow, James orders Victreebel to use {{m|Razor Leaf}} - however, Ash tells Pikachu to use Quick Attack again, hitting Victreebel into its {{pkmn|Trainer}}. Ash demands that Team Rocket hand over the crystal, but Jessie instead throws Ash a {{TP|Jessie|Wobbuffet}} balloon, which inflates and bursts. Under cover of the resulting dust storm, Team Rocket makes a getaway in a new Wobbuffet balloon - in response, Ash sends out {{AP|Bayleef}} and orders her to use her {{m|Vine Whip}}. Seeing the crystal being pulled from the balloon, James orders Victreebel to use its Vine Whip to get the crystal back. As the {{type|Grass}}s struggle to break each other's grip on the crystal, Jessie orders Arbok to use {{m|Poison Sting}}. However, Pikachu uses Thunderbolt to blast Team Rocket off again, the crystal falling from their grasp. Running to catch the crystal, Ash dives off a cliff. Luckily, Bayleef catches Ash in time with her vines.


Then Team Rocket goes underwater in a giant mechanical {{p|Tentacruel}} and gets a hold of the crystal. At first they're happy, but then unbeknownst to them the crystal stops glowing. Ash and his friends notice that the glowing where the crystal once stood is gone and they panic. Team Rocket reveals themselves, recite their motto, and then float away in their balloon. Our heroes are furious about this occurrence. However the Electric Pokémon start to follow Team Rocket in attempt to get the crystal back. Ash orders Pikachu to {{m|Thunderbolt}} them, and the other Electric Pokémon join in the attack. However, Team Rocket sucks in their energy with the PikaPower Mach III. They then make the machine forcibly draw energy from the Electric Pokémon to drain their power. Just then a scream and black clouds appears in the sky and a huge bolt of lightning breaks the circuit between the electric Pokémon and the machine.  
With the crystal secure, Ash and his friends return to the lake, where Ash dives underwater and places it back in its rightful place. He resurfaces, but the crystal remains dark. Pikachu and the other Electric Pokémon are determined, so they swim over to the crystal and use their attacks to charge it up. The crystal's mystical blue glow returns once again. The group puts the injured Zapdos into the lake, where it sinks to the bottom - however, the crystal stops glowing before it can heal the Legendary Bird. The Electric Pokémon charge up the crystal again, which helps power up Zapdos as well. Fully recharged, Zapdos rises out of the water, releasing a mighty Thunderbolt that completely restores the crystal's glow. With the lake back to normal, Zapdos flies off into the distance as everyone waves goodbye.


Everyone wonders what this was. The sky suddenly gets dark and the clouds part to reveal the [[legendary birds|legendary bird]] {{p|Zapdos}}! Zapdos is extremely angry and flies toward Team Rocket and zaps their PikaPower Mach III. However, even Zapdos loses energy and the heroes start to wonder why it doesn't seem to have much power in the first place. Zapdos turns it up to full power and overloads the PikaPower Mach III, sending Team Rocket blasting off again. But then Zapdos falls out of the sky to the ground. Still angry and flailing about it finally faints because of its weakness and the process of healing.
Ash and {{ashfr}} are shown ready to leave, promising Krystal that they won't tell anyone about the lake or Zapdos. Brock makes a last attempt to woo her, but Misty pulls him away by the ear before the group continues on their way. Elsewhere, Team Rocket is clinging onto each other as they hang from a cliff. Zapdos soars passed them and delivers an electric shock.
 
Krystal tells them this is the real secret. But without the crystal in the water Zapdos can't get healed so our heroes set off to find Team Rocket and the crystal. Pikachu senses the crystal is nearby so they follow Pikachu to where Team Rocket had crashed. Jessie sends out her {{TP|Jessie|Arbok}} to stop Ash and his friends as soon as they arrive in attempt to keep the crystal in Team Rocket's possession; James sends out his {{TP|James|Victreebel}} at this time, too, but of course Victreebel is more interested in eating James rather than attacking Ash. Jessie orders Arbok to use {{m|Poison Sting}} and Ash orders Pikachu to dodge and use {{m|Quick Attack}}. Arbok is then thrown into Jessie and James orders Victreebel to use {{m|Razor Leaf}} and Ash tells Pikachu to use {{m|Quick Attack}} again. Pikachu hits Victreebel and it lands on James. Ash tells Team Rocket to hand over the crystal and Jessie throws Ash a {{TP|Jessie|Wobbuffet}} balloon which inflates and bursts causing a lot of dust to fly in the air. Team Rocket now gets away in a new Wobbuffet balloon. Ash throws {{AP|Bayleef}}'s [[Poké Ball]] and orders it to use its {{m|Vine Whip}} to get back the crystal. It gets it back. However, James orders Victreebel to use Vine Whip, too, to get the crystal back and they both struggle to get it and Jessie orders Arbok to use {{m|Poison Sting}} but Pikachu uses {{m|Thunderbolt}} and makes Team Rocket blast off again. The crystal falls from their grasp, so Ash runs off after it to catch it. He dives off a cliff to keep it safe, and Bayleef uses her Vine Whip to catch Ash just in time, saving him from a crash into the trees below.
 
Ash and his friends now go back to the lake with the crystal. Ash dives underwater with it and puts it back in its rightful place. He rises to the surface but the crystal still doesn't glow. The electric Pokémon swim over to the crystal and they all use their {{m|ThunderShock}} attacks on the crystal which causes it to glow. They then put the injured Zapdos into the lake where it sinks to the bottom but in the midst of it the crystal stops glowing again. The electric Pokémon use ThunderShock on the crystal again which helps power up Zapdos as well. Zapdos recharges and flies out of the water, then gives the crystal full power with its Thunderbolt attack, causing the crystal to glow again. The lake is now back to normal like before, and Zapdos flies off into the clearing as everyone waves goodbye.
 
Ash and {{ashfr}} are then shown ready to leave, promising Krystal that they won't tell anyone about the lake or Zapdos. Once again Brock tries to score with her but Misty pulls him away by the ear and the episode ends with everyone waving goodbye to each other.


==Major events==
==Major events==
* {{Ash}} reverts to human form after [[Ashachu|his transformation]].
* {{Ash}} reverts to human form after [[Ashachu|his transformation]].
* Ash sees {{p|Zapdos}}, one of the [[legendary birds]].
{{animeevents}}
{{animeevents}}


===Debuts===
===Debuts===
====Pokémon debuts====
====Pokémon debuts====
====TV episode debuts====
=====TV episode debuts=====
* {{p|Zapdos}}
* {{p|Zapdos}}


==Characters==
==Characters==
===Humans===
===Humans===
* {{Ash}}
[[File:PMTV EP242.png|thumb|200px|{{tt|Pocket Monster TV|Who's That Pokémon}}]]
* {{Ash}} (transforms back)
* {{an|Misty}}
* {{an|Misty}}
* {{an|Brock}}
* {{an|Brock}}
Line 75: Line 72:


===Pokémon===
===Pokémon===
[[File:WTP EP242.png|thumb|200px|right|Who's That Pokémon?]]
[[File:WTP EP242.png|thumb|200px|Who's That Pokémon?]]
[[Who's That Pokémon?]]: {{p|Kingdra}} ''(US and international)'', {{p|Zapdos}} ''(Japan)''  
[[Who's That Pokémon?]]: {{p|Kingdra}} ''(US and international)'', {{p|Zapdos}} ''(Japan)''  
* {{p|Pikachu}} ({{OP|Ash|Pikachu}})
* {{p|Pikachu}} ({{OP|Ash|Pikachu}})
* {{p|Pikachu}} ([[Ashachu|Ash Ketchum]], reverts)
* {{p|Pikachu}} ([[Ashachu]]; reverts)
* {{p|Meowth}} ({{TRM}})
* {{p|Meowth}} ({{TRM}})
* {{p|Togepi}} ({{OP|Misty|Togepi}})
* {{p|Togepi}} ({{OP|Misty|Togepi}})
Line 86: Line 82:
* {{p|Arbok}} ({{OP|Jessie|Arbok}})
* {{p|Arbok}} ({{OP|Jessie|Arbok}})
* {{p|Victreebel}} ({{OP|James|Victreebel}})
* {{p|Victreebel}} ({{OP|James|Victreebel}})
* {{p|Zapdos}}
* {{p|Raichu}}
* {{p|Raichu}}
* {{p|Magnemite}}
* {{p|Magnemite}}
Line 91: Line 88:
* {{p|Electabuzz}}
* {{p|Electabuzz}}
* {{p|Jolteon}}
* {{p|Jolteon}}
* {{p|Zapdos}}
* {{p|Chinchou}}
* {{p|Chinchou}}
* {{p|Ampharos}}
* {{p|Ampharos}}


==Trivia==  
==Trivia==  
* When James says, "Time to say adieu!" Meowth sings, "To you, and you, and you and you and you!" to the tune of the song ''{{wp|So Long, Farewell}}'' from ''{{wp|The Sound of Music}}''.
* The concept of this episode, as well as the appearance of the {{type|Electric}} member of a [[Legendary trio]], is somewhat similar to ''[[The Legend of Thunder!]]'', which focused on {{p|Raikou}}. It is also believed that [[Professor Sebastian]]'s Miracle Crystal System was made from the crystal seen in this episode. It is also implied that the crystal must have been stolen from the lake by Sebastian and his minions.
* The concept of this episode, as well as the appearance of the {{type|Electric}} member of a [[legendary trio]], is somewhat similar to the special episode ''[[The Legend of Thunder!]]'', which focused on {{p|Raikou}}.
* [[Jessie]] [[Breaking the fourth wall|breaks the fourth wall]] in this episode by asking [[James]] to explain their mecha to their "viewing audience".
* Music from ''[[PK01|Pikachu's Vacation]]'', ''[[M01|Mewtwo Strikes Back]]'', and ''[[M02|The Power of One]]'' can be heard in this episode.
* When James says "Time to say adieu!", {{MTR}} sings "To you, and you, and you and you and you!" to the tune of the song ''So Long, Farewell'' from the musical film ''{{wp|The Sound of Music}}''.
* {{TRT}} is sent blasting off three times in this episode.
* This episode is featured on the ''Volume 4: Electric'' copy of [[Pokémon Elements]].
* This episode is featured on the ''Volume 4: Electric'' copy of [[Pokémon Elements]].
* Jessie [[Breaking the fourth wall|breaks the fourth wall]] in this episode by asking James to explain their mecha to their ''viewing audience''.
* Music from ''[[M01|Mewtwo Strikes Back]]'' is used in this episode.


===Errors===
===Errors===
* Voltorb is one of the Pokémon seen in the water, but throughout the episode, it says "Electrode".
<!--Please do not mention anything about the main characters acting like they haven't seen anything before. No one is expected to remember everything.-->
* When Pikachu collapses from exhaustion, Brock attributes it to all the {{m|ThunderShock}}s it used against Team Rocket. However, Pikachu had used {{m|Thunderbolt}}.
* {{p|Voltorb}} is one of the Pokémon seen in the water, but throughout the episode, it says "Electrode".
* During one scene, all the {{type|Electric}} Pokémon in the lake shock the crystal. Ash was unaffected by this, even though he was in the lake at the time.
* During one scene, all the {{type|Electric}} Pokémon in the lake shock the crystal. {{Ash}} was unaffected by this, even though he was in the lake at the time.
*Oddly enough, Ash and Misty do not know what a Zapdos is, despite having seen one in [[The Power of One]]. What makes this even more unusual is that the movie is canon, as during [[EP219]], [[EP220]] and [[EP221]], Ash makes plenty of references to that movie, even going so far as to mention the [[Lugia]] he encountered in that movie. Even more confusingly, Team Rocket recognise Zapdos.
* When {{AP|Pikachu}} collapses from exhaustion, {{an|Brock}} attributes it to all the {{m|Thunder Shock}}s he used against Team Rocket. However, Pikachu had used {{m|Thunderbolt}}.
* Brock says that he thought Team Rocket's balloon had fallen near where he was when looking for them, but Team Rocket got knocked out of the balloon upon it exploding and therefore should not have crashed with it. In spite of this, they are found with it.


===Dub edits===
===Dub edits===
* In the dub, when Misty complains about being lost in the woods and not getting her "beauty sleep", Ash reassures her that they'll make it out of the woods and adds, "[B]esides, Misty, you don't need beauty sleep." In the original version, he only talks about how they are sure to find their way.


==In other languages==
==In other languages==
{{Epilang|color=DDDDDD|bordercolor=FFCB49
{{Epilang|color=DDDDDD|bordercolor=FFCB49
|bg={{tt|Ясно като кристал|As Clear as Crystal}}
|zh_cmn={{tt|閃電鳥跟水晶，湖的秘密|Zapdos and the Crystal, Secret of the Lake}}
|zh_cmn={{tt|閃電鳥跟水晶，湖的秘密|Zapdos and the Crystal, Secret of the Lake}}
|de={{tt|Kristallklare Sache|Crystal clear case}}
|de={{tt|Kristallklare Sache|Crystal clear case}}
Line 123: Line 123:
|es_eu={{tt|El cristal poderoso|The powerful crystal}}
|es_eu={{tt|El cristal poderoso|The powerful crystal}}
|pl={{tt|Czysty jak kryształ|Clear as crystal}}
|pl={{tt|Czysty jak kryształ|Clear as crystal}}
|hi=जादुई क्रिस्टल {{tt|''Jadooi Crystal''|Magical Crystal}} {{tt|*|Hungama dub}}
}}
}}
{{-}}
{{-}}
{{EpicodePrevNext|
{{EpicodePrevNext|
Line 134: Line 134:
colorscheme=Johto | }}
colorscheme=Johto | }}
{{Project Anime notice}}
{{Project Anime notice}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:0242}}
[[Category:Original series episodes|242]]
[[Category:Original series episodes|242]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Shōji Yonemura|242]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Shōji Yonemura]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded by Yoshitaka Fujimoto|242]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded by Yoshitaka Fujimoto]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Toshiaki Suzuki|242]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Toshiaki Suzuki]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Hiroshi Sakai|242]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Keishi Sakai]]
[[Category:Episodes in which a legendary Pokémon appears|242]]
[[Category:Episodes in which a Legendary Pokémon appears]]
 
[[pl:EP242]]
[[pt:EP242]]


[[de:Kristallklare Sache (Episode)]]
[[de:Kristallklare Sache]]
[[fr:Épisode 242]]
[[es:EP244]]
[[fr:EP242]]
[[it:EP242]]
[[ja:無印編第242話]]
[[ja:無印編第242話]]
[[zh:宝可梦 第243集]]

Latest revision as of 05:19, 3 September 2024

← EP241 : Hocus Pokémon
Original series
EP243 : Same Old Song and Dance →
As Clear as Crystal
EP242.png
  EP242  
サンダーとクリスタル！みずうみのひみつ！
Thunder and the Crystal! Secret of the Lake!
First broadcast
Japan March 28, 2002
United States April 12, 2003
English themes
Opening Believe in Me
Ending
Japanese themes
Opening Ready Go!
Ending ポケッターリ・モンスターリ
Credits
Animation Team Ota
Screenplay 米村正二 Shōji Yonemura
Storyboard 藤本義孝 Yoshitaka Fujimoto
Assistant director 鈴木敏明 Toshiaki Suzuki
Animation director 酒井啓史 Keishi Sakai
Additional credits

As Clear as Crystal (Japanese: サンダーとクリスタル！みずうみのひみつ！ Thunder and the Crystal! Secret of the Lake!) is the 242nd episode of the Pokémon animated series. It was first broadcast in Japan on March 28, 2002, and in the United States on April 12, 2003.

201
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
201

Blurb

When a tangle with Team Rocket leaves Pikachu desperately exhausted, a young passerby offers to restore Pikachu's energy, but only if the humans present promise never to reveal to another soul what they are about to see. This trainer then proceeds to guide Ash and friends to a legendary lake that somehow seems to restore energy to the Electric Pokémon that live along its banks. Unfortunately, however, Team Rocket manages to tail the young trainers as they enter. Jessie and James are quick to make plans to lay waste to the serene lake, trading its pristine essence for personal gain.

Plot

The group continues towards Blackthorn City, and Ash returns to his human self after being turned into a Pikachu by Lily's spell in the previous episode. Now one issue is solved, but Misty is furious to learn that they are once again lost in a forest. Ash manages to settle Misty before Team Rocket appear disguised in an orange and purple tuxedo. James removes the white cloth covering the PikaPower Mach II, a machine designed to restore electricity of tired Electric Pokémon like Ash's Pikachu. Jessie rips Pikachu off Ash's shoulder and straps him in. Next, she radios in Meowth who swoops down in the balloon and takes Pikachu, Jessie, and James into the sky. As they ascend, Jessie and James remove their disguises to reveal themselves. Jessie tells Ash to command Pikachu to use Thunderbolt. But the energy is absorbed into Team Rocket's machine, which also has the power to forcibly drain its victims of energy. Team Rocket threatens to sap all of Pikachu's power if Ash doesn't hand over the rest of his Pokémon, but Ash simply tells Pikachu to give it all he's got. Soon enough, Pikachu's power overloads the machine and Team Rocket goes blasting off. Ash happily catches Pikachu, but the power drain has left him exhausted.

Just then, a girl named Krystal approaches the group. Brock instantly falls in love with her at first sight. However, Ash goes on to tell her that Pikachu is badly hurt and that there isn't a Pokémon Center for miles around. Krystal offers to help but asks them to keep a very big secret for her in return, and the group agrees to the request. She leads them up a large hill. As they walk, the group notices numerous Electric Pokémon climbing up the hill - Krystal tells them that they're all going there for a special reason. When they get to the top of the hill, they find a big lake, which Krystal claims has magical healing powers; the Electric-types come here to rest and recharge. She orders Ash to put Pikachu into the water, and the Mouse Pokémon is soon good as new. After Pikachu is healed, Krystal takes Ash and his friends out to the middle of the lake in a speedboat to show them the secret to the lake's power. When they look down from the bottom of the boat, they see what looks like an underwater temple with a crystal at the bottom. Krystal informs them that the Electric Pokémon have been coming to the lake for years. She explains that according to legend, the temple sank into the water after torrential rains.

Unknowingly, Jessie, James, and Meowth are eavesdropping on the conversation and plot to steal the legendary crystal to become instantly rich. The evil trio put a plan into motion, and use a large mechanical Tentacruel. They retrieve the crystal with little difficulty, but its light suddenly fades out, alerting Ash and his friends that something's up. The Team Rocket trio reveals themselves, reciting their motto before floating away in their balloon. As our heroes fume over this occurrence, the Electric Pokémon start to follow Team Rocket in an attempt to get the crystal back. Ash orders Pikachu to Thunderbolt them, and the other Electric Pokémon join in on the attack. However, Team Rocket sucks in their energy with the new and improved PikaPower Mach III. Gloating that their new machine is better than ever, the villains begin forcibly drawing energy from the Electric Pokémon, but black clouds appear in the sky, followed by a mighty screech and a huge bolt of lightning that breaks the circuit between the Electric Pokémon and the machine.

As everyone wonders what this means, the sky darkens and the clouds part to reveal the Legendary Bird Zapdos. In a rage, Zapdos flies towards Team Rocket to zap their PikaPower Mach III. However, even Zapdos loses energy and the group starts to wonder why it doesn't seem to have much power in the first place. Team Rocket gloats, but Zapdos unleashes its full power and overloads the PikaPower Mach III, sending Team Rocket blasting off again. But then Zapdos falls out of the sky to the ground. Still angry and flailing about, it finally faints.

Krystal tells the group that this is the real secret - Zapdos itself often visits the lake to recharge itself. Needing the crystal to heal Zapdos, Ash and his friends set off to find Team Rocket and the crystal. Pikachu senses the crystal is nearby, so they follow it to where Team Rocket had crashed. In an attempt to keep the crystal for themselves, Team Rocket sends out Arbok and Victreebel - although James again has to deal with the latter attempting to eat his head. Jessie orders Arbok to use Poison Sting, but Ash's Pikachu dodges and uses Quick Attack. With Arbok thrown into Jessie by the force of the blow, James orders Victreebel to use Razor Leaf - however, Ash tells Pikachu to use Quick Attack again, hitting Victreebel into its Trainer. Ash demands that Team Rocket hand over the crystal, but Jessie instead throws Ash a Wobbuffet balloon, which inflates and bursts. Under cover of the resulting dust storm, Team Rocket makes a getaway in a new Wobbuffet balloon - in response, Ash sends out Bayleef and orders her to use her Vine Whip. Seeing the crystal being pulled from the balloon, James orders Victreebel to use its Vine Whip to get the crystal back. As the Grass-types struggle to break each other's grip on the crystal, Jessie orders Arbok to use Poison Sting. However, Pikachu uses Thunderbolt to blast Team Rocket off again, the crystal falling from their grasp. Running to catch the crystal, Ash dives off a cliff. Luckily, Bayleef catches Ash in time with her vines.

With the crystal secure, Ash and his friends return to the lake, where Ash dives underwater and places it back in its rightful place. He resurfaces, but the crystal remains dark. Pikachu and the other Electric Pokémon are determined, so they swim over to the crystal and use their attacks to charge it up. The crystal's mystical blue glow returns once again. The group puts the injured Zapdos into the lake, where it sinks to the bottom - however, the crystal stops glowing before it can heal the Legendary Bird. The Electric Pokémon charge up the crystal again, which helps power up Zapdos as well. Fully recharged, Zapdos rises out of the water, releasing a mighty Thunderbolt that completely restores the crystal's glow. With the lake back to normal, Zapdos flies off into the distance as everyone waves goodbye.

Ash and his friends are shown ready to leave, promising Krystal that they won't tell anyone about the lake or Zapdos. Brock makes a last attempt to woo her, but Misty pulls him away by the ear before the group continues on their way. Elsewhere, Team Rocket is clinging onto each other as they hang from a cliff. Zapdos soars passed them and delivers an electric shock.

Major events

For a list of all major events in the animated series, please see the history page.

Debuts

Pokémon debuts

TV episode debuts

Characters

Humans

Pocket Monster TV

Pokémon

Who's That Pokémon?

Who's That Pokémon?: Kingdra (US and international), Zapdos (Japan)

Trivia

Errors

  • Voltorb is one of the Pokémon seen in the water, but throughout the episode, it says "Electrode".
  • During one scene, all the Electric-type Pokémon in the lake shock the crystal. Ash was unaffected by this, even though he was in the lake at the time.
  • When Pikachu collapses from exhaustion, Brock attributes it to all the Thunder Shocks he used against Team Rocket. However, Pikachu had used Thunderbolt.
  • Brock says that he thought Team Rocket's balloon had fallen near where he was when looking for them, but Team Rocket got knocked out of the balloon upon it exploding and therefore should not have crashed with it. In spite of this, they are found with it.

Dub edits

  • In the dub, when Misty complains about being lost in the woods and not getting her "beauty sleep", Ash reassures her that they'll make it out of the woods and adds, "[B]esides, Misty, you don't need beauty sleep." In the original version, he only talks about how they are sure to find their way.

In other languages



← EP241 : Hocus Pokémon
Original series
EP243 : Same Old Song and Dance →
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