DP160: A Marathon Rivalry!/Transcript

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This is a transcript of the Pokémon: DP Sinnoh League Victors episode: "A Marathon Rivalry!".

Dialogue removed from certain re-runs are underlined.

Narrator

With the opportunity for Dawn to win her all-important fifth contest ribbon luring them on, we once again join our heroes on their trip to Daybreak Town.

[They see something up ahead and react in surprise.]

Ash Ketchum

Whoa, what's that?

Ash's Pikachu

(Excited) Pika!

Brock

Looks like a trampoline.

[Pikachu and Piplup play on the trampoline.]

Dawn

But what in the world is a trampoline doing out here in the forest?

[Snorlax dives onto the trampoline. Pikachu and Piplup, becoming scared, bounce off. Ash and Dawn run to rescue their Pokémon.]

Ash Ketchum

Hold on, Pikachu, I'll catch you!

[Ash catches Pikachu.]

Dawn

Here, Piplup!

[Dawn catches Piplup.]

Dawn's Piplup

Lup! Piplup.

[Snorlax plays on the trampoline, then jumps off.]

Dawn

Snorlax?

[Dawn scans the Pokémon on her Pokédex.]

Pokédex

Snorlax. The Sleeping Pokémon. Snorlax becomes much too lazy to lift even a finger when it has a full belly, which then makes it safe to bounce upon.

Dawn's Piplup

Piplup!

Dawn

It sure can move for being so big.

Brock

Yeah. I'll bet Snorlax works out a lot.

[Daniel walks in.]

Daniel

Excellent! You've improved your response time by a whole fifteen percent.

Ash Ketchum

Uh, who are you?

Daniel

Who am I? My name's Daniel, scientist extraordinaire and genius!

[Ash & friends look unamused.]

Dawn

Humble, too.

Daniel

And you are?

Ash Ketchum

Hi, I'm Ash.

Dawn

I'm Dawn.

Brock

And my name's Brock. Is that your Snorlax? You raised it really well.

Daniel

Well, of course. What did you expect? my Pokémon are raised using only the choicest of scientific training methods!

Ash, Dawn & Brock

Scientific training?

[The opening theme "We Will Carry On!" and title card plays.]

[Inside the lab, Daniel shows everyone something through the glass panel.]

Daniel

You're now standing in my training facility!

Ash Ketchum

Whoa.

Daniel

And this is where the scientific training I alluded to takes place, to improve the skillfulness of my Pokémon.

[Daniel goes to Snorlax. As everyone reacts confused, Daniel gives Snorlax a blindfold with a red light.]

Ash Ketchum

Blindfold?

[Snorlax steps on stage. Daniel presses a few buttons on the machine.]

Dawn

I Wonder what he's up to now?

[Daniel puts on a head-set. He snickers.]

Daniel

This exercise increases the level of synchronization between Pokémon and trainer.

[Daniel presses the button. Snorlax walks along a conveyor-belt which goes faster. A series of hurdles appear on the conveyor-belt in-front of Snorlax. Everyone else reacts in surprise. Daniel and Snorlax prepare to jump, with the former turning on its synchronization light, which connects to Snorlax's. They both jump together, helping Snorlax clear the hurdle. Everyone else gasp in shock. Daniel and Snorlax continue to jump over the hurdles.]

Ash Ketchum

Wow! It's jumping even with a blindfold on.

Ash's Pikachu

Pika.

[As Daniel finishes his experiment, he scans Snorlax's chest and records the data.]

Daniel

Good! Our level of synchronization has increased by more than ten percent.

Brock

I see. This really is scientific.

Ash Ketchum

That's cool, but Pikachu and I don't need any of that fancy technology to know our hearts are connected. Right, buddy?

Ash's Pikachu

Pikachu!

Daniel

Well, that's way too abstract for me. Snorlax and I are connected by the power of provable science!

[Ash and Pikachu grumble in envy.]

Ash Ketchum

So why don't we have a battle to see whose hearts are more connected? Let's do it right now!

Daniel

(Laughs) A battle?

Ash Ketchum

What's so funny?

Daniel

It is impossible to compare something like the level of synchronization by having a battle!

Ash Ketchum

(Annoyed) Oh, yeah?

Daniel

But I do know the perfect competition. One that tests synchronicity, but also speed, jumping ability, and skill, stamina, and power. And it tests for every one of them at the very same time.

[The other gasp. Daniel reveals a flyer behind the opening curtains.]

Daniel

Behold... Pokéathlon!

Dawn

Pokéathlon? Never heard of it.

Daniel

(Chuckles) Then prepare to be educated! The very first Pokéathlon was held in Johto, and is comprised of a total of ten events, three events of which are randomly chosen every time the Pokéathlon is held. The rules explicitly state that participating trainers are only allowed to pick one Pokémon for each event.

Dawn

Nice.

Daniel

And it just so happens that a Pokéathlon is being held today right here in Camellia Town.

Brock

Of course! This must be the first Pokéathlon ever to be held in Sinnoh, right?

Daniel

(Shocked) Huh? You mean you've heard of the Pokéathlon before?

Ash Ketchum

Sure! See, we spent lots of time traveling through Johto.

Dawn

So the first event is a disc catch, followed by a half-time show instead of a normal second event, and then finishing up with a hurdle dash.

Ash Ketchum

Wow, a hurdle dash? Man, that event sounds cool.

Dawn

The whole day sounds cool!

Dawn's Piplup

(Excited) Piplup!

Brock

The event today is a qualifying match, and the winner gets to enter the regional competition.

Ash Ketchum

That settles that. Guess you know what this means, right, Pikachu?

Ash's Pikachu

(Excited) Pika!

Daniel

(Annoyed) Look, no non-scientist could ever defeat me in a million years! I know just who's going to win!

Ash Ketchum

Hm!

[Everyone walks toward the stadium. Dawn takes in the surroundings. There's a booth with groups of people waiting in lines.]

Brock

Ah. Looks like registration's over there.

Ash Ketchum

What about you, Dawn?

Dawn

Our contest is coming up, so I think I'll just sit this one out.

Ash Ketchum

Got it.

Daniel

Ha! I'm so sure we're going to lose to a Pokémon who's been trained "by feeling"! Right, Snorlax?

Snorlax

(Tired) Snorlax...

Ash Ketchum

Huh, it looks to me like your Snorlax is feeling a little worn out.

Daniel

What?! That's not even possible!

Ash Ketchum

Come on, Daniel. You're a trainer, too, so I know you should be able to tell. It looks to me like Snorlax might be a little worn out from training so hard.

Snorlax

(Tired) Snorlax...

[Daniel looks up at Snorlax, confused. On a separate area of path beside a trainer's Grumpig, Daniel checks Snorlax and types on his laptop.]

Daniel

I can't believe it!

[Cut to the laptop, showing red indicators and charts pointing downward.]

Daniel

Snorlax's energy is way below normal! And its exhaustion composite has increased by twenty-five percent as well! (Angrily) Hey! How did that kid know Snorlax was tired without using a computer or sensors to monitor it?

[James and Meowth of Team Rocket appear behind Daniel in disguises.]

James

Begging your pardon, kind sir.

Meowth

I'd say you've got quite the tuckered Pokémon on your hands.

James

I heartily recommend you bring it to our Pokémon spa salon for a lovely and invigorating scientific massage.

Daniel

A scientific...massage?

[Outside the stadium, a tent is set up. James and Meowth take Daniel and Snorlax into the tent.]

James

Excellent auditory assimilation. It's the most researched massage one can get.

[James and Meowth open the curtains.]

Meowth

We're going to woo you with science.

James

(To Jessie, calling) A customer, massage master!

[The lights go on, showing Jessie alongside a robot with many hands, the Massage Master-digit Mark II. The former thumbs up and the robot dances its arms in excitement.]

Jessie

When it comes to massage art, we're all thumbs!

Daniel

My Snorlax is going to compete in the third-round hurdle race today. So, you think you can have it up to speed by that time?

Jessie

Zoom, zoom!

[The robot massages Snorlax's back.]

Jessie

Our Massage Masterdigit Mark Two employs the scientific method to examine and best treat Pokémon pooped-outness.

[Snorlax calls out, relaxed.]

Meowth

Those flying fingers will make your Snorlax a record-breaker.

Daniel

Oh really? Then let's go!

[James and Meowth take Daniel out of the tent.]

James

Ho ho! We'll give a scientific ring when Snorlax is chock full of zing.

Meowth & James

You're both in good hands with our hands!

[As Daniel leaves, Meowth and James zip back inside the tent.]

Jessie

It's this kind of scientific Pokémon roundup that's sure to round us up a big promotion from the boss.

Meowth & James

Then we'll cut our loss!

[They see Ash and Pikachu.]

Meowth

What do you know, Pikachu and its twerp.

James

(Concerned) I'd hazard that they're both competing, too.

Meowth

I've got an idea. Dig it.

[They pose close to Ash.]

Meowth

Nice Pikachu!

Ash & Pikachu

Huh?

[James & Meowth rub their hands together.]

James

Whee! And raised with tons of TLC.

Ash Ketchum

(Nervous) Hey, thanks, you guys.

James

Say, though Pikachu seems healthy, excessive practice could cause a train drain!

Meowth

But a massage might be just the ticket to feeling tippy-tops. And we're offering grand-opening price breaks.

James

You'll both be in the pink for not much green.

Ash Ketchum

Whoa. You really think? It sounds great! Pikachu, what do you say?

[Pikachu turns away, then looks at them sheepishly.]

Ash Ketchum

See, the thing is we're going to compete in the hurdle dash together this afternoon, so will you be finished in time?

Meowth

Piece of cake! There's other clients hurdling along with you!

James

You'll be all patched up and ready to heave-ho before the show!

[Before Ash could muster a response, James snatches the Pikachu out of Ash's hands. They laugh together as they zip back inside the tent while Ash stands there, eyes blinking in shock. Inside the stadium, fireworks go off. Brock and Dawn are in the crowd.]

Ash's Pikachu

Pika!(Surprised)

Announcer

It's time for the first fabulous Camellia Pokéathlon to get under way! Now for our first event it's the disc catch. At this time, I will ask all competitors to gather in the middle of the field so we can begin.

[Ash and Daniel are in the competition.]

Dawn

Hey, Brock, I'm not exactly sure what a disc catch is, are you?

[A demonstration of shows Ash jumping from the steps onto the seesaw with Pikachu being propelled in the air, catching a disc from a disc-thrower. They celebrate together.]

Brock

It's where a trainer uses a seesaw to launch his Pokémon into the air, where it then catches incoming discs.

[The demo ends.]

Brock

It tests a Pokémon's reflexes in its jumping ability. Not to mention the power of the relationship with its trainer.

[Eight trainers are lined up on the steps with their respective Pokémon. Ash and Monferno are lined up with Daniel and Hitmonlee.]

Daniel

We both know my Hitmonlee has the advantage! If it's high jumping, we're talking number one!

Ash Ketchum

To tell you the truth, I think my Monferno's got you beat, hands down!

[Monferno jumps and cheers.]

Daniel

Ha! You can try all you want, but you can't defeat real science.

Ash Ketchum

You've never been in a battle until you've battled with me!

Daniel

Oh, that's real scientific!

Computer

Three, two, one.

[The banner displaying "Start" shows with a high chime sound. The disc-throwers throw discs.]

Ash Ketchum

(Jumps) All right! (Grunts as he steps on the seesaw)

Daniel

(Jumps) Here we go!

[The other competitors jump onto their seesaws. The competitors' Pokémon are propelled in in the air. As the discs head toward them, Monferno catches one with his right and left hand, before flipping over to catch another one with his feet. Next to the steps, the discs land and stack up - Monferno scoring four. Hitmonlee catches and lands four discs. Nuzleaf, Medicham, Drowzee and Weavile miss a few discs. Later, three discs are thrown together. Monferno palms them away confidently, while Hitmonlee exerts and kicks the trio of discs.]

Dawn

Wow!

Brock

Yeah!

Announcer

And the big winner of the disc catch is... Say, it's a tie! It's a tie between Ash and Daniel, who lead the Pokéathlon with twenty points each.

Ash Ketchum

Monferno, you were great!

Ash's Monferno

Monferno!

[Daniel grumbles annoyed.]

Daniel

Too impressive.

Announcer

Ladies and gentlemen, replacing our second event, for your enjoyment, this very special performance exhibition! So give it up for last year's champion, Spoink!

[The crowd cheer.]

Computer

Ready, set, go.

[Spoink starts jumping. On top of the trampoline is a grid of buttons disguised as Pokéballs. One button lights up. Spoink touches the button and land back on the trampoline. A separate button lights up, which Spoink touches. The crowd look up and down repeatedly.]

Dawn

(Smiles) Something tells me that Spoink doesn't need that trampoline.

Brock

(Dreading) Hold on...

[Cut to the competitors, Ash isn't seen among them.]

Brock

I don't see Ash down there.

Dawn

(Shudders) But the hurdle dash is going to get started, now!

[Outside the stadium, Ash starts running.]

Ash Ketchum

I'd better move it and get Pikachu back to the arena, fast.

[Ash and Daniel collide into each other.]

Daniel

(Angrily, to Ash) Why are you here?

Ash Ketchum

My Pikachu is getting a massage in there. Get it?

Daniel

That's strange. Snorlax, too!

Ash Ketchum

That is weird.

[Team Rocket's balloon inflates and floats.]

Daniel

Hey! What is that thing?

Ash Ketchum

I know. It's Team Rocket!

[At the bottom of the balloon, Pikachu is locked in a cage, struggling.]

Ash's Pikachu

(Dreading) Pikachu!

Ash Ketchum

Pikachu!

[Attached to the rope below Pikachu is Snorlax.]

Daniel

Snorlax!

Snorlax

(Mouthful) Snorlax?

Ash Ketchum

All right, hold it!

Daniel

What in the world?!

[Team Rocket laugh and remove their disguises.]

Jessie

Out of this world, that's how we roll!

James

Being grounded can take its toll!

Jessie

On the wind!

James

Past the stars!

Meowth

Heart and soul!

Jessie

Bringing chaos at a breakneck pace!

James

Dashing all hope, putting fear in its place!

[The next scene, Jessie and James in their uniform massage their Meowth laying forward on the table.]

Jessie

Magic fingers bring calming and joy.

James

But not to a certain twerpish boy.

Jessie

Jessie.

James

And James.

Meowth

Meowth's the name!

Jessie

You do-gooders sure are uptight!

James

We're Team Rocket...

Team Rocket

..Want to fight?

Wobbuffet

Wob-buffet!

Mime Jr.

Mime-mime-mime!

Daniel

Team Rocket?!

Ash Ketchum

Yeah, they're a bunch of crooks that try to steal other people's Pokémon!

Meowth

We succeed, too!

[Meowth cackles. Suddenly, the balloon halts, shuddering Team Rocket.]

James

I didn't know we had brakes!

Jessie

Balloons don't have brakes.

Meowth

Maybe there's a recall.

[Team Rocket peep at the bottom of the balloon. They scream in horror, noticing that Snorlax has not been lifted off the ground and is revealed to be facing them.]

Meowth

Snorlax is packing too many pounds!

Jessie

(Angrily) This wouldn't have been necessary if you'd packed it in its poké ball!

James

Hindsight is overrated as a useful tool.

Jessie

Well, I'm no fool! Yanmega, help us cut and run!

[Jessie deploys Yanmega.]

Jessie

With Pikachu in our possession, Snorlax is nothing but ballast! So cut loose that loser with Steel Wing!

[Yanmega cuts the rope with the move. The balloon floats again.]

Jessie

Excellent! Return.

Team Rocket

And so, off we go! Into a sky of blue, sporting Pikachu!

[Daniel hugs Snorlax.]

Daniel

Snorlax! Are you all right?

[Snorlax is happily eating food.]

Ash Ketchum

All right, Staraptor, I choose you!

Ash's Staraptor

Staraptor!

Ash Ketchum

Go and save Pikachu, okay?

Ash's Staraptor

Star! Staraptor!

Jessie

Heads up. It appears that the twerp is relying on air support.

[Staraptor flies around Pikachu. Meowth presses the two buttons.]

Meowth

Watch the hands!

[Grabbers emerge out of the balloon.]

Meowth

When it comes to power punching, these paws will deck a Pokémon in a Sinnoh minute.

[The grabber pokes Staraptor. Meowth presses the button aggressively and repeatedly.]

Meowth

And a left, and a right, and a fight, fight, fight!

Meowth

Left-right-left-right-left!

Meowth

One-two-one-two-one!

Meowth

Two-one-two-one-two!

[The grabber prods the bird again, causing it to struggle, fall down and faint. Ash groans in anger.]

Ash Ketchum

Staraptor, return!

Jessie

Wow, Meowth, you're a champ!

Meowth

(Laughs) No rope-a-doping with our heavyweight!

James

What fists! It's all in the robotic wrists!

[The balloon thuds, shuddering Team Rocket.]

James

Round over!

[At the bottom, it is revealed that Daniel has set up a trampoline for Snorlax beneath the balloon.]

Daniel

Nice bounce! Again!

[Snorlax bounces again.]

Jessie

That couldn't be...

[Snorlax greets Team Rocket, shuddering them.]

Team Rocket

It is!

[Snorlax bounces again, higher and toward a panicking Team Rocket.]

Team Rocket

Rematch!

[Meowth jumps back onto the buttons.]

Meowth

Round two!

[The grabbers attempt to block Snorlax, but the Sleeping Pokémon breaks them off easily and hits the balloon, blasting Team Rocket off. Pikachu, now freed from the cage, is in freefall.]

Ash Ketchum

Pikachu!

[Ash realizes and starts running to try and catch his Pokémon.]

Ash Ketchum

I won't get to where Pikachu's going to land on time!

[As Ash pants, Snorlax runs ahead of Ash and slides onto his back to where Pikachu is landing. Pikachu lands safely.]

Ash's Pikachu

(Grateful) Pika-Pika.

Snorlax

(Happy) Snorlax!

[Cut to Team Rocket, in Blast-off mode.]

James

No! Pikachu's been saved by a stomach!

Jessie

I thought you'd been saved by half a brain!

Meowth

Cut it out! This is a reality show!

Team Rocket

We're blasting off again!

Wobbuffet

Wob-buffet!

Daniel

Snorlax, you were amazing!

Ash Ketchum

Daniel, thanks a lot. You saved Pikachu from Team Rocket.

Ash's Pikachu

(Grateful) Pika-Pika.

Daniel

Well, if I'm going to beat you fair and square, I've got to use science all the way down the line.

[A chime sounds, indicating an announcer notice. Ash, Pikachu, and Daniel look up, fearing the worst.]

Announcer

Participants will please report to the track immediately, as our third event, the hurdle dash, is about to begin.

Daniel

Uh-oh! We'd better get moving, quick!

Ash Ketchum

Right!

[The four run quickly inside the stadium. On the arena, six of the eight trainers are on podia, with their Pokémon lines up on a running track.]

Announcer

Attention, competitors. The hurdle dash will begin in exactly one minute.

Brock

Wow. I wonder where Ash and Daniel could be?

Dawn

Yeah, and after they both did so well by ending up tying for the first round

Ash Ketchum

(Calling) Hey! Wait for us!

Brock

That sounded like Ash!

[Dawn points to something in the distance.]

Dawn

Look! Over there!

[Beyond the tunnel, Ash, Daniel and their Pokémon run inside the arena and talk to two of the workers.]

Ash Ketchum

Sorry! See, we got hung up.

Daniel

But we're all ready to go now.

Worker

Then hurry!

Daniel

Right!

[Ash and Daniel are on their respective podia. A worker gives Ash a pair of special goggles, while another worker gives Pikachu a video camera.]

Ash Ketchum

Huh? What's that?

Daniel

It syncs you up with your Pokémon.

[Daniel puts his goggles on.]

Daniel

It uses the same principles as the device I use in my training.

Announcer

Now that each trainer has received their devices, I will now explain how they're used. You will notice that each of your Pokémon has been equipped with a video camera. The image from that camera will be visible to the trainer using the goggles they've just been given. As each Pokémon runs, hurdles will suddenly appear on the track. However, these hurdles will be visible to the trainers before their Pokémon. At the appropriate time, the trainers will jump, which then transmits a signal to their Pokémon, signaling them to jump. Success in the third-round hurdle dash will depend on the perfect timing and execution of those jumps.

Dawn

Here we go.

Brock

Yeah. I think we both know who's going to win this.

Daniel

OK, let's do this fair and square!

Ash Ketchum

You've got it!

[The competitors prepare themselves.]

Announcer

Now, everybody, ready to go? All right, countdown!

Computer

Three, two, one.

[The Pokémon start running. Cut to the view of Ash's goggles. He sees the Pokémon running along the track. A hurdle approaches.]

Ash Ketchum

There's one!

[Ash jumps over the first hurdle. The video camera signals Pikachu to jump. He becomes alert. The hurdle rises from the ground. In slow motion, Pikachu jumps over the hurdle, clearing it. Cut to Daniel's goggles. Soon, he sees a hurdle coming toward him.]

Daniel

Now!

[Daniel jumps.]

Snorlax

(Alert) Snorlax. (Exerts) Snorla-a-a-ax!

[Snorlax clears the jump. Cut to the other six Pokémon. Their respective trainers jump. While Abra and Luxio clear their jumps, Machoke falls over. Pikachu and Snorlax are still running, both clearing their respective hurdles. The crowd cheers as Snorlax and Pikachu take a clear lead over the rest of the field.]

Brock

Pikachu and Snorlax are neck and neck.

Dawn

Run, Pikachu! Go, Ash, do it!

Dawn's Piplup

Piplup!

[Daniel and Ash jump again. Snorlax and Pikachu jump over their hurdles as they run closer to the finish line.]

Ash Ketchum

Come on, Pikachu!

[Pikachu calls out and starts sprinting.]

Ash's Pikachu

Pika-a-a!

Daniel

Snorlax, almost!

Snorlax

La-a-ax!

[Snorlax yells and sprints. They both cross the finish line simultaneously.]

Brock

Whoa! All right, who won?

[The stadium's video camera records the finish between Snorlax, Pikachu and the finish line, cutting it frame by frame.]

Announcer

Upon careful review, our judges have determined that Snorlax's belly edged in first. And that makes the winners of the Camellia Pokéathlon Daniel and Snorlax!

[Daniel and Snorlax celebrate, with the latter spinning and tossing the former up in the air and landing on his head. The crowd cheers as Daniel is given a wreath to put on his head. He laughs and waves to the crowd along with Snorlax, whose wreath is worn around his ear. Ash claps.]

Ash Ketchum

Congratulations, Daniel.

Daniel

Huh? Hey, Ash!

[Daniel steps down to meet Ash.]

Ash Ketchum

That was awesome. From now on, I'm going to have to pay lots more attention to your training style!

Daniel

(Embarrassed) Well, actually...to be totally honest, I realize I shouldn't rely that much on science. I've got to learn how to understand my Pokémon's feelings as well.

Ash Ketchum

Yeah, and you'll be great at it, too.

Ash's Pikachu

Pika-Pika!

[Ash shakes hands with Daniel.]

Ash Ketchum

Good luck in the Johto Pokéathlon. I'm rooting for you!

Daniel

Thanks, and I'll be rooting for you in the Sinnoh League!

Dawn

You know, I think those two are buddies now

Brock

Yeah, their training styles may be different, but their love of Pokémon goes beyond those differences. (To Dawn) Your contest is coming soon.

Dawn

(Nods) Mm. And I can hardly wait! What do you say, Piplup?

Dawn's Piplup

(Excited) Piplup!

Narrator

Although unsuccessful at winning the Pokéathlon, Ash was a huge success at making a new friend! And now it's on to Daybreak Town, where Dawn's fifth contest ribbon hangs in the balance. You don't want to miss it, so stay tuned!

[The caption "To Be Continued" shows at the bottom of the screen. The credits appear.]