AG190: Gathering the Gang of Four!

Synopsis
Ash trades in some of his old Pokemon and brings Bulbasaur, Charizard and Squirtle back. They head up into the mountains for a little training and reminiscing of the past. After stopping yet another Pikachu stealing attempt from Team Rocket, Ash runs into Brandon who is impressed by the four Pokemon. Brandon declares a four-on-four battle this time, so he can see the true strength of the four. Ash agrees, and the next day, the battle begins. Brandon chooses Dusclops and Ash chooses Charizard. Will he finally be able to win?

Plot
The heroes wait for something. Oak comes and gives Ash a Poké Ball from Tracey himself. Ash sends his old buddy, Bulbasaur. Pikachu dances with him and suddenly everyone spots Officer Jenny (with Brock being charmed). She has also Ash's old friend, with his sunglasses on, it is Squrtile. Ash thanks Jenny, as this is least how she can re-pay after the Squrtile Squad saved lives. Ash anticipates one last Pokémon, and from the sky he emerges - Charizard. Ash greets him and Charizard does the same, though he torches Ash and his Pokémon.

May sees Ash's Squrtile and sends her own. Ash's Squrtile uses Water Gun, levitating May's, and May's Squrtile does the same. Brock gives Ash his bag - Ash decided to go to the mountains, to renew his experience when he became a Pokémon trainer. Max reminds Ash Brandon told that the battle is putting the mind of a trainer and Pokémon to challenge, so Ash will go there to learn that lesson, as well as to find his own battle style. Joy gives Ash cookies and now he is ready to go. Ash, Pikachu, Charizard, Squrtile and Bulbasaur wander and spot a field. Charizard throws some logs and Bulbasaur uses Razor Leaf to cut them. The Pokémon catch the pieces of logs and put them together. Squrtile uses Rapid Spin to wave the leaves, while Bulbasaur Vine Whip and Pikachu Quick Attack to gather the leaves and put them in the area inside the logs.

Charizard goes on the handmade bed and the leaves go out. Squrtile is annoyed and uses Water Gun, condemning Charizard. Charizard stands up and is attacked by Bulbasaur's Vine Whip. However, Charizard evades and the vine hits Pikachu. Pikachu uses Iron Tail, hitting Charizard. Ash goes to stop it, but is hit by Charizard's Flamethrower. Pikachu does the same with Thunderbolt, though it hits everyone. Later, everyone calms down and go to gather food. Ash sees some trees with berries and orders Bulbasaur to use Vine Whip, but Charizard uses Steel Wing to cut the berries from the trees. Squrtile uses Water Gun to push the berries, while Pikachu Quick Attack and Bulbasaur Vine Whip to gather the berries. Later, Ash places some logs and Charizard uses Flamethrower, but it burns all the wood. Ash places more logs, so Charizard blows a tiny spark, allowing the wood to burn.

The Pokémon and Ash are at the campfire. Ash remembers well how he became a trainer and remembers how he got Pikachu, being stubborn to get into the Poké Ball. He turns on Bulbasaur and tells he was protecting the Pokémon and now acts as an ambassador at Oak's lab. Ash knows that Charizard evolved from Charmander through Charmeleon to what he is now and got him out of many tough fights victorious. Ash tells Squrtile he was a troublemaker, but now he acts as a fireguard. Ash knows a lot happened since those days. Next days, everyone is practicing and having fun. Team Rocket see them and Meowth remembers those days. Jessie proposes to catch them all, but with everyone so powerful, James proposes to get Pikachu only. Ash sees a passing wagon of food, with the salesmen being Team Rocket in disguise and goes to them. Jessie tells the battery for making noodles is empty, so they take Pikachu to re-charge it, only to make Ash chase them for betrayal. Team Rocket take their disguises off and go inside a metal balloon.

Ash, Bulbasaur and Squrtile go on Charizard, who takes them off. Bulbasaur uses Razor Leaf, but is deflected because of the metal. Charizard uses Flamethrower, making a hot spot and Squrtile uses Water Gun, but nothing happens. So, Ash decides to take turns - Charizard uses Flamethower and Squrtile Water Gun, changing turns. The metal begins to crack, and with Bulbasaur's Razor Leaf, Team Rocket fall down, though Ash managed to get Pikachu back. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt, Squrtile Water Gun, Bulbasaur Razor Leaf and Charizard Flamethower, definitively blasting them off.

Suddenly, Charizard spots something. It is Pyramid King Brandon, who returned from his expedition. Brandon is impressed by the combination Ash's Pokémon used. Ash tells they are their first Pokémon he got since he was a trainer. Brandon got his Pokémon he was looking for and came to accept Ash's challenge. Brandon proposes this time a 4-on-4 battle, wanting to taste the battle experience of all 4 Pokémon Ash currently has - Ash accepts the challenge. Next day, Ash and Brandon came back to the Pokémon Center. Scott tells Ash he will be a candidate for becoming a Frontier Brain if he defeats Brandon. Every trainer that has the 7 symbols enters the Hall of Fame and can qualify for becoming a Frontier Brain. Ash tells Scott must be a fan of the Battle Frontier and everyone is shocked to hear that Scott IS the owner of the Battle Frontier. May and Max are excited to hear that Ash will have his own facility, but he reminds them he has yet to defeat Brandon.

Inside the Battle Pyramid, the roof opens. For his first Pokémon, Brandon sends Dusclops and Ash Charizard. Charizard begins with Flamethower and Dusclops counters with Will O' Wisp. Charizard uses Steel Wing, but is canceled by Shadow Punch. Charizard retaliates with DragonBreath, hitting Dusclops. Dusclops uses Mean Look, forcing Charizard to battle it. Charizard uses Steel Wing, hitting Dusclops, and with Dusclops so close, it uses Confuse Ray. Because of this, Charizard became confused and Ash cannot call him back. Dusclops uses Shadow Punch, hurting Charizard. Dusclops uses Will O' Wisp, hitting Charizard. Ash tells Charizard they have been together for too long and Charizard got rid of confusion and immediately uses DragonBreath to attack. Dusclops retaliates with Will O' Wisp. Both Pokémon are tired, so Charizard uses Steel Wing, hitting Dusclops and uses Seismic Toss. However, the move is Fighting type, so Dusclops disappears. Charizard is defeated by a Shadow Punch.

Trivia

 * Jessie broke the fourth wall after saying they captured Pikachu after 9 seasons.