A Family That Battles Together Stays Together! (Japanese: タケシ！ニビジムをすくえ！, Hepburn: Brock! Save Pewter Gym!) is a special episode. In the dub, it is the 6th episode of Pokémon Chronicles.
Blurb[]
Brock is back in Pewter City after his adventures in Johto, but he finds his father Flint hiding at the edge of town. Flint warns him that something terrible has happened: Brock's mother Lola took over the Pewter Gym and turned it into a gaudy Water-type Gym! When Brock sees this, he's furious, but Flint is afraid to act and Lola won't listen. So Brock declares that Flint will battle Lola for the Gym—if Lola loses, the Gym goes back to the way it was. But if she wins, all of Brock's siblings will become Water-type Trainers!
With the Gym now a watery battlefield, Flint's Golem is at a disadvantage. Once Lola's Marill uses Surf, Golem sinks like a rock, and Lola's Blastoise has to fish it out of the water. When Flint starts to walk away, dejected, Lola reminisces about their first battle together. This rekindles their love, but Brock doesn't care. He's not even impressed when Flint and Lola try to patch things up by making the Pewter Gym a Rock-and-Water-type Gym. Brock's brother, Forrest, isn't happy either; he throws a fit and runs out of the house. Forrest doesn't want to be a Gym Leader now that the Pewter Gym isn't a Rock-type Gym, but Brock assures Forrest that he'll fix it.
The next morning, Brock insists on battling Lola for the fate of the Gym. Brock chooses Onix, and Lola chooses Mantine. Brock has Onix use Dig to drain all the water from the battlefield, but Mantine can still swoop through the air and use Water-type attacks. Still, the battle doesn't last long before Onix knocks out Mantine, and now the Gym is back to being a simple, no-frills Rock-type Gym. As for the family, they don't seem to mind. They give Brock a hearty send-off as he heads out to Hoenn, and Forrest promises to battle Brock the next time he returns![1]
Episode plot[]
After the journey with Ash and Misty, Brock has reached his hometown, Pewter City. Suddenly, a man asks Brock to go away, since a curse had befallen the town. Brock asks the man, who is his father, Flint, what is he doing. Flint, seeing he has been caught, asks Brock how glorious the Pewter City's Gym has been, since his wife has done something gravely to the place. Flint and Brock come to the Gym, the latter shocked how "nicely" decorated is, with hedges, flowers and other things. Brock decides to enter the Gym, no matter how horrible it must look inside. Flint tells Brock his mother has the keys, so they walk off to their house. Brock comes back and is greeted by his siblings. Brock comes to the living room and greets his mother, who is placing a painting on the wall, since she wants to be an artist. Brock remembers his mother wanted to be an astronomer and before that even a juggler.
Brock thinks his father is just overreacting, but Flint knows the true horror is inside. Brock enters the Gym, seeing it flooded and heavily decorated. Brock asks why is there water in the Gym, since it is supposed to be for Rock-type Pokémon. Suddenly, some water-type Pokémon emerge, impressing Brock her mother managed to catch them. However, he points out it is not their place to be here. Brock's siblings warn Brock they also tried and failed to reason with their mother. Brock thinks his father should have some influence over this matter, but Flint makes excuses. Flint thinks he is just not suited to be a Gym Leader, but Brock encourages him to fight his mother for the sake of the Gym. Before the battle, Brock clarifies to his mother this is no place for softness or decorations. Brock demands if she loses, the Gym goes back the way it was. Brock's mother thinks he is stubborn, but tells if she were to win, everyone has to become a water-type trainer.
Flint thinks he has no advantage here, on a lake in the gym, against water-type Pokémon. Brock reminds Flint of his friend, Ash, whose Pikachu defeated Brock's Onix - for there is always a way to win. Brock's mother sends Marill and Flint his Golem, who barely stands on the rock. Brock's mother lets Flint have the first move, who decides to show the pride of the Pewter City's Gym. Golem uses Earthquake, shaking the ground and making Marill fall in the lake. Marill is swept by the waves, but manages to use Surf, causing Golem to sink in the lake. Lola has Blastoise go down and rescue Golem. While Flint apologizes Golem (knowing how water is not for rock-type Pokémon), Brock uses a fan to dry off Golem. Brock's mother praises Flint, who remembers their first battle, as Poliwag used Hydro Pump on his Graveler. They both remember each other's battling skills and hold hands. Brock is not impressed and decides to challenge his mother, Lola, for the sake of the Gym.
While Brock is cooking dinner with his siblings, Flint and Lola talk with each other. Flint thought Lola started the hobbies because she was tired of him, but Lola replies she has many interests, but her love for Flint is something that will never change. At the table, Brock and his siblings watch as Flint and Lola feed each other. Lola is impressed by Brock's food, though Brock asks when will the battle commence. Flint announces from this point on, the Gym will feature Rock and Water-type Pokémon. Forrest is angry, claiming the gym will be ruined and leaves. Brock's sister tells Brock Forrest wanted to be the Gym Leader one day. Later, Brock finds Forrest at the river and goes to him. Forrest claims this is his place when he wants to be alone. Brock is asked if he has met girls. Brock confirms that, but claims he needs to be focused on becoming the Pokémon Breeder.
Brock replies he heard Forrest wanted to become the Gym Leader. Forrest confirms that, but seeing the Gym ruined, he wants to travel instead, for he is soon to choose his first Pokémon. After the journey, he plans on coming back and challenge his parents to become the Gym Leader. Forrest asks Brock is it wrong if he had chosen to be a Rock-type specialist, wanting to become the Rock Pokémon Master, but always loses to a water-type. Brock replies he shouldn't overthink himself, since the battle is about to overcoming the trials. Brock stands up, claiming he will win tomorrow, for the sake of the Rock-type Pokémon. The next day, Brock comes to the Gym and greets his parents, who made a new sign for the Gym. Brock refuses, since he is challenging his mother, as the Gym has to be a Rock-type one. Lola accepts, but reminds he has to fight in the water.
Brock sends Onix and Lola Mantine. Seeing Forrest, Brock has Onix use Dig, shocking Lola, for the water is being drained. Onix attacks Mantine, who takes the hit and retaliates with Bubblebeam. Onix takes the hit, but binds Mantine. Mantine uses Bubblebeam on Onix, who releases it from the grip. Mantine continues attacking, so Onix uses Slam, defeating Mantine. Brock's siblings are amazed by this victory. Brock commends Onix, while Lola calls Mantine back. As requested, Lola confirms the Gym will be a Rock-type, but asks the colors to be kept, at least. Flint holds hands, charming Lola, while Brock lets them keep the colors. Forrest, however, admits he wants to be as good as Brock. Brock, however, lets Onix stay with Forrest and teach him some things, since Flint is not a suitable Gym Leader. Forrest agrees, hoping one day they will be at the top.
Later, Brock, with new clothes, is ready to move onwards. Forrest, however, decides to have a battle with Brock when he comes back. Brock agrees, as well as teaching Forrest about girls. Brock bids farewell, as he goes towards Hoenn, to meet up with Ash.
Debuts[]
Character[]
Quotes[]
- "We're at the table." - Cindy
- "That's gross." - Suzy
Trivia[]
- The title is a reference to the saying "the family that prays together stays together".
Mistakes[]
- Flint had stated in Showdown in Pewter City that Lola had died of heart break after he had left home to become a Pokémon trainer.
- Mantine got hit by Dig, despite -type Pokémon being immune to such moves.
Gallery[]
| Pokémon Chronicles episodes | ||
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| Characters · Pokémon | ||
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| Pokémon Chronicles | ||
- ^ (n.d.) . "A Family That Battles Together Stays Together! | Pokémon TV (pokemon.com)". From The Official Pokémon Website | Pokemon.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2024.