Episode 280 - You Can Never Taillow!
Anyways, Pikachu tries a Thunderbolt again at the flock… and this time, the Taillow from before (the one the stole the chocolate) jumps in the way, protecting them. Max realizes that that one is the Taillow’s leader. Taillow then goes for a Peck, which Pikachu jumps and dodges. However, Taillow happen to be good at making sharp turns, as well as being one of the fastest flyers. So, as soon as Pikachu jumps, Taillow quickly heads up, and manages to hit Pikachu with a Quick Attack! Desperately, Pikachu tries yet another Thunderbolt, easily dodged. Now the Taillow are really angry, so they start attacking all over Ash and co!
Meanwhile, Ash and co. are having fun, socializing, enjoying their meal and stuff. However, to their surprise, who is to appear but the Taillow leader! It seems to be telling Pikachu something. Ash then realizes the Taillow wants to challenge Pikachu to a match. May and Max are surprised, since it’s a rare occasion for a wild Pokemon to actually challenge someone to a battle. But Brock seems to understand, considering it’s the leader of the pack, and wants to test its fighting skills. So, Taillow and Pikachu prepare to battle by the river, as they take their stance.
Taillow starts by trying to hit Pikachu by flying low and Quick Attacking him, but Pikachu dodges it, and tosses a nearby rock to distract Taillow. As he does this, he Quick Attacks it while its in the air. Taillow easily avoids it, and goes for another attack on Pikachu as he lands, but again, Pikachu immediately jumps and avoids it. As May suspects that Taillow has a better advantage because it can fly, Pikachu crushes that theory with a Thunderbolt. However, Taillow, being fast, dodges it, trying to attack Pikachu, who dodges again as well. Now, Taillow tries a new strategy. It grabs Pikachu by the tail, and drags him around, eventually flying over the river! Desperately, Pikachu uses a Thundershock. Taillow takes some damage, but still manages not to let go of Pikachu! Taillow then uses Wing Attack, which hurts Pikachu. But just as he lands, he tackles Taillow, as he uses Thunder! Pikachu lands on a rock, as they glare at each other… and Taillow, having barely any energy left, slowly and weakly attacks Pikachu. Ash is surprised that’s its still fighting, and is a little worried about Pikachu. Brock then gives an idea to get the battle over with: Capture it! So, Ash grabs a Pokeball, and tosses it at Taillow… waits a few seconds… until Taillow appears to be captured! Ash then happily takes it out, to make sure its ok. Just as they suspect, it comes out all out of breath. However, Brock sprays Taillow with something, which quickly recovers its energy! Ash thanks Brock, and welcomes Taillow to the team as he wipes the chocolate off his beak. Max and Brock also greet Taillow, but May, a little scared, hides behind Brock as she shakily greets Taillow. Ash then returns Taillow as he does his usual pride pose, since this is his first capture in Houen.
Suddenly, out of the woods, the infamous Taillow flock appears again, along with… Team Rocket! They say their motto, and then explain how they used a rice dumpling to get the flock of Taillow on their side. Brock, surprised, asks what the hell they’re doing in Houen, a Rocket-free place. They explain how they plan to conquer Houen. Then, Brock asks if they were the ones that stole his rice dumpling. They admit they were the ones who took the dumpling, and this gets May and co angry. However, Team Rocket have the flock of Taillow attack Pikachu again! May then tries taking out Torchic, but it runs around, too hyper to follow commands. Ash and Brock gasp, as May gets frustrated. Eventually, Torchic frolics too much, and crashes into a nearby rock. Frustrated, May returns it. However, just when Team Rocket try to get the Taillow flock to attack Pikachu again, an alarm sounds. Brock’s stew has been overcooked! Brock quickly turns it off, but then, as Ash and Brock taste it, they seem to enjoy it! The Taillow also run to eat it, but Brock immediately insists that they share. To everyone’s surprise, the Taillow agree, and they all happily eat the meal. Just as Pikachu finishes his own meal, his energy gets all worked up, so he lets out a Thunderbolt, blasting TR off.
May and Ash finish their meal, and thank Brock, and Ash tells May that Brock always makes the best stews. As the Taillow finish their meal, they motion thanks to Brock as well. They fly away, as Ash and the others wave goodbye, as well as their ex-leader. They seem to be saying something, but Ash can tell that they are wishing Ash and their ex-leader good luck.
Ash returns Taillow, and as they clean up the food, Brock congratulates Ash on his first Houen capture, and together, they continue on their way to Kanazumi City!
280: A Lot of Taillow! A Lot of Danger! Capture in Petalburg Woods!