IL080: A Friend In Deed

Synopsis
Ash and the gang are going to find a place to eat. After a successful fourth win, Ash is getting ready for his fifth battle. He does not know who he is up against yet. His mom invades the kitchen inside the restaurant and starts making something for Ash. Her cooking is great, leaving the chef asking for the recipe. They all have a nice meal. Later as Ash is getting on the elevator to go back outside, a boy named Ritchie is rushing to catch the elevator as well. Ash stops the door for him and he gets on. They are going down, just as the power goes out. They are trapped in the elevator, but Ritchie has a plan to get Pikachu to power the elevator the rest of the way down. Once they get out, they hear an announcement that they have to get their Pokémon inspected by the Pokémon League or they will be disqualified from the competition. It is really another plan of Team Rocket to steal everybody’s Pokémon. They fool everyone and get all the Pokémon until Pikachu shocks Jessie as she tries to pick him up, and so they reveal themselves. They successfully get away, but Ash and Ritchie chase after them. Ash decides to dive down the mountain, but Ritchie stops him. Ash becomes mad at Ritchie, as they continue the chase. They leap out in front of the van. James swerves aside, falling over into a stream. The van is still going and Jessie and Meowth are okay. Unfortunately, James was knocked unconscious by the fall. Jessie manages to steer them to safety. Later on Ash is sorry for becoming mad at Ritchie, realizing that his life was saved. The two boys camp out for the night. The following morning they find Team Rocket and the stolen Pokémon. Jessie and James wake up to discover them, and lock the door. They start driving away. Ash searches the bag for one of his Pokémon, but cannot find which ones are his. Pikachu finds Bulbasaur, but Bulbasaur cannot seem to penetrate the wall. Ritchie calls out his Charmander, which gets through the wall. Ash and Ritchie eventually succeed in getting all the Pokémon back, and return to the League building to find out who Ash is battling for the fifth round. It turns out to be Ritchie… Both of them friends, both with ambitions of becoming the greatest trainer in the world.

Debuts
Human Characters Pokémon Characters
 * Ritchie
 * Sparky