Sorry for the lateness of this. I’ve had tests to study for/birthday celebrations to attend to, so I haven’t had the time to write this. But, as they say, better late than never:
-The episode starts at a dock in the middle of a battle between Ash and an unnamed trainer. Ash’s using Torkoal while the trainer uses Hassamu. Torkoal uses some sort of fire attack (Flamethrower?), but it misses. Hassamu responds with a Hyper Beam attack, but Torkoal tucks itself into its shell, negating the effects of the attack. As Torkoal emerges from its shell, unharmed, Ash smiles and throws up a peace sign. Hassamu’s onslaught doesn’t stop as it charges with what I think is a Metal Claw attack. Torkoal responds with Overheat, which hits the Bug-Type. Hassamu faints from the attack, and Brock (who’s been refereeing) declares Ash to be the winner. The trainer says that Ash must be so skillful because he has seven Houen League badges.
-Nearby, Drake is seen watching the battle from afar.
-Elsewhere in the dock, a restaurant is seen. Inside, it’s revealed that Jessie, James, and Meowth are working there part time! As Jessie and James are cleaning, they wonder where the twerp could be at the moment. After looking longingly at the ocean scenery, Drake walks through the door! Jessie and James inform Drake that the regular staff isn’t there today, but Drake doesn’t seem to care. He orders a hot milk with sugar, and tells the trio that it had better taste the same as it would if the regular staff was there. Team Rocket is intimidated.
-Outside, Ash and the others are looking for a place to relax after the recent battle. They spot the restaurant that Jessie and the others are working in, and they decide to sit at one of the tables outside the building. After settling down, Max brings up the recent battle, and how Torkoal had a type advantage, and Ash states that he won’t lose to anyone who challenges him. Just then, James comes outside to take the customers’ orders, but when he notices who they are, he does a double take. It’s the twerps! James nervously runs off, confusing Ash and the others.
-Inside, Drake notices Ash and the others sitting outside.
-In the restaurant’s kitchen, Jessie and the others plot to kidnap Pikachu. However, they decide against their regular tactics when they imagine Drake making them blast off again with his massive punch. They’ll have to bide their time for the time being.
-Back outside, Brock asks May about her next contest. Suddenly, Drake approaches the group and tells the young coordinator that her choice of pokemon is very important. She thanks him for the advice.
-Inside, Jessie suddenly realizes who Drake is…he’s a member of the Elite Four! Team Rocket is surprised.
-Outside, Drake compliments Ash on his battle with Torkoal, pointing out that he had good timing. Ash thanks him, and introduces himself, and his friends follow suit. Drake then invites everyone to his boat, and everyone agrees that that’s something they would like to do. Suddenly, Jessie appears, and Drake brings up the milk. Jessie is intimidated by the Elite Four member, but she is relieved when she’s complimented on the drink. I think at some point, the Team Rocket members are invited to Drake’s boat as well.
-The gang (including Team Rocket) is led to the edge of one of the docks. Drake stands at the edge and stares at the ocean, waiting for his boat to arrive. The boat emerges from the distance, but it looks more like a pirate ship than the small boat Ash and the others were imagining! Members of the ship greet their captain as the ship docks. As Wingull fly overhead, Brock marvels at the ship’s large masts. Max then asks Drake to show them his pokemon, and Ash eagerly joins in. Drake asks for a battle with Ash instead, and the young trainer agrees almost immediately. Brock yells at Ash to wait and think about his decision, but Ash is confident that he’ll win. Meanwhile, the Team Rocket members say that it’s their chance.
-And the battle starts! Drake chooses a Shellgon while Ash chooses Pikachu. Ash seems confident, thinking that Pikachu’s speed will give it the advantage. Pikachu starts off by using Thunderbolt, and it hits Shellgon directly as Drake seems calm. It uses the attack again, and Shellgon just sits there and takes it, again. Drake’s pokemon starts to glow as May and James comment on the battle.
-Shellgon now takes the offensive as it charges toward Pikachu with Double Edge, but the mouse pokemon is able to avoid it with a Quick Attack. Pikachu then uses Iron Tail, but Drake remains calm. Shellgon responds with Dragon Breath, and then follows with Dragon Claw. The two attacks prove to be too much for Pikachu, and the little pokemon faints.
---commercial break---
-Ash picks up Pikachu as Brock comments on Drake’s strength. One of the members of the crew (I think he’s the guy who’s listed as Yoshimitsu in the credits) describes how strong the captain is as the battle resumes.
-Drake brings out Altaria, and Ash responds with Grovyle. Max is worried because Grass Types are weak against Flying Types, but Ash seems to have a plan. He tells Grovyle to jump from mast to mast, allowing it to reach the flying pokemon. It then uses Bullet Seed, but Altaria is able to avoid it by ducking behind one of the masts. Grovyle then uses Leaf Blade, but Altaria seems to have disappeared! Suddenly, it appears from behind with a Peck attack! Altaria then uses Dragon Breath, knocking Grovyle to the ground! Drake’s pokemon then charges downward with a Sky Attack, but Ash’s Grass-Type is able to dodge it with Quick Attack. It then throws a Leaf Blade at the opponent, but Altaria dodges that attack as well. It answers the attack with Solar Beam, which hits Grovyle. The pokemon crashes right through two barrels before slamming against a wall, knocking it out.
-Drake picks up Ash’s pokemon and tells the young trainer that its injuries aren’t too serious, but that it should go to the Pokemon Center right after the battle. Ash recalls his pokemon as the battle comes to an end. Drake invites everyone to have dinner on his ship after Ash’s pokemon are finished with the Pokemon Center, and everyone happily accepts. On the side, May is holding the now-conscious Pikachu. As Jessie puts on a pair of rubber gloves, James offers May a drink. She takes it, putting Pikachu down in the process. Jessie quickly snatches the pokemon up, and Team Rocket jumps to their balloon, which is seen floating nearby. The trio recites their motto as they reveal who they are to the group.
-Drake wastes no time in calling out his Salamence. The dragon pokemon uses Dragon Claw on the balloon’s basket, causing the balloon to violently shake. Jessie drops Pikachu, and Salamence swoops in to save the pokemon. Salamence, now with Pikachu riding on its back, uses a Flamthrower attack on the balloon, causing Team Rocket to blast off again. As May looks up Salamence on her Pokédex, Ash comments that this must be the true power of the Elite Four.
-That night, Drake, Ash and his friends, and Drake’s crew all enjoy dinner. Drake tells Ash that he shouldn’t focus so much on losing, but that he should instead always seek stronger and stronger opponents. Now, with a much-needed lesson in overconfidence behind him, Ash is ready for his next adventure.
I really liked this episode. Ash barely touched Drake’s pokemon, and it’s good that Ash got a lesson in humility. I also really liked Drake’s character, and I hope he makes a reappearance in the future.
