Scyther, Heart of a Champion

Scyther, Heart of a Champion
ISBN:	0439169453
Published:	August 2000
Publisher:	Scholastic
Author:	Sheila Sweeny
Preceded By:	The Four Star Challenge
Succeeded By:	Race to Danger

Scyther, Heart of a Champion by Sheila Sweeny is the twelfth book in the adaptation of the Pokémon anime. It is a book focusing on Tracey's Scyther. It was published by Scholastic in August 2000.

Plot

This book follows the plot of the anime episode Tracey Gets Bugged. Ash, Misty, and Tracey arrive at Murcott Island, which is famous for its Bug-type Pokémon. Misty, predictably, wants to leave the island.

Ash and his friends sail onboard Lapras, but all of them seem bored. Pikachu points to a nearby island, which they mark as their destination. As they head for it, Jigglypuff surfaces nearby. They touch down in a cove as Pikachu and Togepi run off while the humans take in the island scenery. Misty sends out her Goldeen and Staryu to play, along with Ash's Lapras. A piece of fruit hits Ash in the head as they see a Farfetch'd flying above them. A whole flock takes off from the island as Tracey sketches them. Pikachu and Togepi return with some fruit as Pikachu points to all the fruit trees. Ash and Misty take a bit of the yellow fruit, finding them sour. Tracey finds darker one that are riper. The group decides to rest for the day on the island as a vacation. Ash brings out his Pokémon, his Snorlax and Charizard quickly going to sleep. Tracey brings out his Pokémon. Misty brings out Psyduck, but it is already out. Scyther shows off its strength, scaring some of the Pokémon. Togepi is not afraid, walking up to Scyther and playing. Everyone else soon follows. Ash calls to Charizard to greet, but it looks away. Ash walks closer as Charizard uses Flamethrower on Ash. The attack also heads toward Scyther, but it deflects it with its scythes. Charizard notices as Scyther steps closer. Charizard stands up, as the two seem ready to fight. Ash stops them as the two turn away.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket is also taking their vacation on the island. Jessie decides not to steal any Pokémon, but when she spots Togepi playing with Marill nearby, Lapras eating algae, and Goldeen and Staryu swimming, they realize that Ash and his friends are nearby. Ash’s group enjoys the break as Team Rocket observes nearby, deciding to poach all the Pokémon.

Ash and his friends bring back fruit as Snorlax attempts to eat the pile, but Scyther wards him away. Inside the pile, Jigglypuff pops out and sings, putting everyone to sleep. As usual, Jigglypuff stops, gets angry and draws on everyone.

When everyone wakes up, they decide to let Snorlax sleep longer while they continue preparing. The Pokémon enjoy their share of fruit as everyone realizes how much they need the vacation. Tracey brings fruit sandwiches to the table as Misty is curious about the new food style. Snorlax comes up and takes the entire plate, sliding the contents into its mouth. It goes back to sleep, leaving everyone else to clean the dishes. Tracey notices that Snorlax doesn't eat as much now due to less energy exertion. Misty slams Ash for not really training Snorlax. Togepi seems happy playing with Marill's tail. Scyther flexes its power while training in the middle of the pond, Charizard watching with intent.

At night, everyone is asleep, but Pikachu wakes up and notices Ash is not there. Ash is out on the beach, speculating about the GS Ball, comparing it to a normal Poké Ball. Pikachu comes over as they watch the stars bright and clear. Ash pulls out his two Badges and remembers how different Cissy and Danny were as Gym Leaders compared to the Kanto Gym Leaders, reflecting on his wins for the Coral Eye Badge and Sea Ruby Badge, wondering about the next one.

Back at the camp, Tracey talks in his sleep about finding and sketching the Legendary birds. Misty wakes up to his talking, but a Sleep Powder attack over the camp silences all but Charizard and Scyther. James's Victreebel stops sending the powder as Jessie fires a bazooka, capturing everyone with suction plugs. Meowth tries to reel them all in, but Snorlax is too heavy to drag. Scyther slashes the rope as Charizard steps up to aid. The powerful Pokémon roar battle cries, waking the camp and getting Ash and Pikachu to return. Team Rocket rappels in on a zip-line reciting their motto, crashing into a tree before they can finish, which makes them say their final lines incoherently due to being stunned from the impact. Meowth jumps in and gets them in line with scratches to the face.

Team Rocket sends out Arbok and Weezing as Ash sends Pikachu. Weezing's SmokeScreen covers the field, but Scyther's Swords Dance clears it and sends Weezing flying. Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Pikachu take turns using Vine Whip, Water Gun and ThunderShock to attack Team Rocket. Charizard follows up with Flamethrower as Scyther uses Skull Bash to send them blasting off. Ash congratulates the Pokémon as they watch Charizard and Scyther walk away in an informal respect motion.

The next day, Ash brings out Lapras as everyone departs the island with refreshed spirits. Meanwhile, Team Rocket winds up stuck on a small rock island. They try to relax as a Farfetch'd comes up. They find out the small rock holds the Farfetch'd flock. They all smack Team Rocket with their sticks.

Major Events

• Tracey captures a Scyther

Debuts

Pokémon debuts

• Scyther (Tracey's)

Characters

Humans

• Ash
• Misty
• Tracey
• Jessie
• James

Pokémon

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Charizard (Ash's)
• Scyther (Tracey's)

Trivia

• This is the first book in the Pokémon anime novelization series not to be written by Tracey West.

In other languages

Language		Title
Canadian French		Scyther, coeur de champion

Pokémon animated series novelizations Indigo League: I Choose You! • Island of the Giant Pokémon • Attack of the Prehistoric Pokémon • Night in the Haunted Tower Team Rocket Blasts Off! • Charizard, Go! • Splashdown in Cerulean City • Return of the Squirtle Squad Adventures in the Orange Islands: Journey to the Orange Islands • Secret of the Pink Pokémon • The Four-Star Challenge • Scyther, Heart of a Champion Race to Danger • Talent Showdown • Psyduck Ducks Out • Thundershock in Pummelo Stadium The Johto Journeys: Go West, Young Ash • Ash Ketchum, Pokémon Detective • Prepare for Trouble • Battle for the Zephyr Badge The Chikorita Challenge • All Fired Up • Ash to the Rescue • Secrets of the GS Ball • Prize Pokémon Teaming Up With Totodile • Tough Enough • Winner Takes All Ruby and Sapphire: Haunted! • Phantom Unmasked • Team Rocket Truce • Celebi Rescue • Grovyle Trouble • Deoxys in Danger Diamond and Pearl: Pokémon Academy • The Lost Riolu • Coal Badge Battle • World of Sinnoh Movies: The Art of Pokémon The First Movie • The Art of Pokémon the Movie 2000 • The Art of Pokémon the Movie 3: Spell of the Unown Mewtwo Strikes Back • Mewtwo Returns • Pokémon the Movie 2000 • Pokémon the Movie 3 • Pokémon 4Ever Destiny Deoxys • Lucario and the Mystery of Mew • Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea • The Rise of Darkrai Pikachu's Vacation • Pikachu's Rescue Adventure • Pikachu and Pichu

This book article is part of Project Merchandise, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on all Pokémon toys, dolls, books, and collectible merchandise.