Pokemon a Battle of Aerial Mobility

Today finds... Serena! With a yawn her Rhyhorn wakes up outside the house, while inside she tests out various accessories to her outfits. Her mother and her giant rack come in (after knocking first!) and Serena asks for advice on what hat to wear, then promptly picks the opposite to her mother's choice. Her mum isn't too thrilled by this attitude, but is more interested in WHY her daughter is dressing up so pretty, where is she going? Why to Lumiose City of course, and the lab of Professor Sycamore, because apparently out of the blue and without discussing it with her mother she's decided to begin her Pok�mon Journey!

In Lumiose City, Bonnie rushes ahead of Ash and Clemont, giggling as Pikachu gets fired up with excitement to match hers. They're heading to the Pok�mon Center with Ash so he can register for the Kalos League. Clemont doesn't see the need to rush though, the Pok�mon Center isn't going anywhere, so he and Ash move along at a more sedate pace. Ash is grateful for the escort, and Clemont is grateful for the "lesson" that Ash "taught" him, having been so impressed by the way Ash recently dealt with that Garchomp as well as Froakie. Left momentarily by himself, Clemont looks back at Prism Tower and mutters that he'll just need to try harder. Ash asks what he just said and Clemont laughs it off as nothing, and they move on to catch up with the eager Bonnie.

Entering the Pok�mon Center, they're greeted by Nurse Joy who pleasantly tells them the same goddamn speech she must have to give to EVERY single goddamn person who comes in to make use of the facilities - they're a Pok�mon Center, they're here to help look after trainers' Pok�mon etc. Ash tells her he wants to enter the Kalos League and she has him place his Pok�dex on a screen on the welcome desk. Reading his details, the computer informs him that he is now successfully registered, and that he currently has. zero. badges. That's a nice way to up his self esteem!

Nurse Joy's assistant - Wigglytuffs in the Kalos Region - brings him a complimentary badge case since these freeloading bums don't get enough free stuff already, and she wishes him the best of luck.

At a riverside cafe, Team Rocket enjoy croissants and tea/coffee in a lovely sunlit location. Meowth is, for absolutely no reason at all, disguised as a furry little man/boy with a flat cap and curly hair, while James is a hipster and Jesse is doing a nice little understated Hepburn impersonation. Even though they're clearly in disguise and trying to keep on the down-low, they still choose this open location to bring out a little mechanical cube that projects a hologram of the boss into the air over their table. They inform him they've arrived in Kalos right on schedule, and are committed to their goal to capture rare and powerful Pok�mon for the Organization. He approves, even though it's not like they'd be doing anything else, and the communication ends. The trio make sly grins at each other, reminiscent of their more "evil" attitude from the early Unova region... but then they go full on goofy and throw all subtlety and disguise out the window. Leaping to their feet, they laugh and cheer and cry out for the startled nearby citizens to hear that their secret organization Team Rocket is going to take over Kalos! Ending their celebrations, James notices for the first time that during the report to the Boss, his croissant has gone missing. Under the table, a bizarre little floating Pok�mon happily eats the pilfered pastry.

At the Pok�mon Center, Ash is startled to see Rotom beaming at him through the video phone rather than Professor Oak. Oak shows up and Rotom moves aside with a giggle, Oak greeting his secret son and asking how things are going. Ash reports he's ready to get on the road, and shows off his Froakie to Oak, who is very pleased to see it... until Rotom gets in the way, that is. Trying to push Rotom aside, he gets blasted for his troubles, Froakie amused to see it.

Ash rejoins Clemont and Bonnie outside, ready to head out for Santalune City since he thinks the Gym Leader there must be back by now. Clemont explains (accompanied by a childish image of Ash on a map) that the best route to Santalune City is going directly down Route 4. He is happy to take that advice, but then to his surprise learns that Clemont and Bonnie are planning on traveling with him. Politely he points out they have no obligation to assist this poorly prepared foreign stranger as they have in Lumiose City, but they insist. Not because they think he needs the help (he does!) but because they've both been impressed with his relationship with Pok�mon and feel they have a lot to learn from traveling with him. Belatedly, Clemont remembers to ask Ash if HE is okay with them coming with him, and of course he is - he loves traveling companion, it's why he burns through so many! He and Clemont shake hands, upsetting Bonnie who is too short to join in, so they kneel down and she, Pikachu and Froakie join in on a vow to travel together and look out for each other. In what is becoming a familiar theme, Ash throws his hand up against the sun like he is reaching for the stars, enthusiastic to get started on his journey at last.

Serena heads out of the house and says a happy goodbye to her Rhyhorn, ready to get going just like that. Her mother asks if she has decided which Starter Pok�mon she will choose, and she has... but it's a secret! With an airy breeziness suitable for somebody her age, she casually waves goodbye and rushes on out of the house - just like that she's left home as if on a whim, with barely even a backwards look at her mother as she goes. Her mother calls after her to keep up with her Rhyhorn Riding practise and she promises she will, but once she's gone her mother mumbles to herself that this is perhaps not all that likely to happen.

In the forest, a squat, fat little mouse/guinea pig looking Pok�mon with a VERY familiar colour scheme moves through the trees. It's a Dedenne, coloured like a Raichu but far, far smaller. With some effort it tugs a berry free from a tree, but drops it, the berry landing on Pikachu's head as he passes underneath. Bonnie and Pikachu approach the mysterious berry, but a sudden zap of electricity knocks it into Bonnie's head and sends her onto her ass. The twerps are confused, what is going on? Out of the tall grass the Dedenne zips out onto the road making a beeline for Bonnie, but is cut off by Pikachu who hears it coming. Ash is delighted to see a new Pok�mon, while Dedenne itself and Pikachu glare at each other suspiciously. Dedenne is concerned because it spotted the berry in Bonnie's hand and thinks she is stealing it. Pikachu is concerned because Dedenne appeared to be moving aggressively towards his new friend... and also because it's another in a long series of potential threats to Pikachu's mascot merchandising power for Nintendo, though happily not as soulless and disgusting as the likes of Plusle and Minun. Ash checks Dedenne out with his Pok�dex, learning it can communicate with antenna like waves from the whiskers on its cheeks. In fact it and Pikachu appear to be trying to communicate that way now, as electricity zaps between their electric sacs (ewwww). Bonnie is thrilled at how cute Dedenne is, and begs Clemont to "keep it" for her - meaning he captures it and when she's old enough she gets to have it as a Pok�mon. Ash encourages him to do so, and since Clemont is young enough not to understand you don't give a little kid everything they want, he agrees!

She offers it the berry, Dedenne haven't apparently though that Pikachu was trying to "steal" it. But as it approaches, a Fletchling appears from nowhere and grabs it from Bonnie's hand, flying up into the branches. The twerps yell at it, Bonnie complaining it belongs to Dedenne, and in reply.... the little jerk taunts them by gobbling up the berry and beaming smugly at them!

They're horrified, but Pikachu and Froakie notice that one of their group is taking things far more personally - Dedenne! Tears in the little rodent�s eyes, it bounds off in misery back into the tall grass. Infuriated, Froakie takes to the air and blasts some of the white foam/bubbles from its own body at Fletchling... which dodges easily! The twerps are impressed at the tiny little bird's speed and agility, and Ash makes a decision - he'll catch it!

Bet you didn't see that coming, did ya!
Clemont points out that Pikachu has an advantage as Fletchling is a Flying Type, and Ash prepares to do battle... but then Froakie gets in the way. Spotting Bonnie is near tears at being denied a cute new plaything, Froakie wants to step up to the plate and get revenge on her behalf. It leaps into the air and blasts more of that.... frubbles, they're called?.... more of those frubbles at Fletchling, but it dodges easily.

Irritated, Ash tells it to back down as they haven't even worked out a strategy yet, and tries again to send in Pikachu. But once more Froakie gets in the way, trying to blast the bird with water, but it is able to evade the attack with Double Team, then pecks Froakie right in the stomach and sends the little frog falling through the air and smashing into a tree trunk. It falls limply from the trunk and is caught by Ash, who checks it is okay and asks it to calm down and leave this to Pikachu. But it spots Bonnie's concerned face again and struggles free from Ash's grasp, going right after Fletchling again. Clemont recalls that Sycamore told them Froakie had a tendency to ignore its trainers, but this doesn't seem to daunt Ash at all. After all, he's been through all that before, and he says he thinks he understands what Froakie is doing. He takes off after it, followed by the others.

High in the air above the forest in a slightly different looking (and somewhat cuter) Happy Buddha Face Meowth balloon, Team Rocket are on the lookout for opportunity. Well Meowth and Jesse are anyway, while James is being the beautiful drama queen we know and love, hunched over and moaning about his racking hunger pains due to his lack of croissant. Wobbuffet stands patiently in the background, just waiting for an opportunity to agree with somebody about something, anything!

By a happy coincidence of framing, James ends up on his knees with Wobbuffet places suspiciously behind him and a phallic whisker of Meowth's in the foreground apparently well positioned to fill him up in an entirely different way! Meowth comments that it is a little early for lunch but they can bend the rules, and lifts up a picnic basket for them to grab a bite. James is delighted at being offered something by Meowth to put in his mouth, but a sudden blast of wind sees Meowth lose his balance, and the basket tips over. A sandwich falls out and James lunges desperately for it as it goes over the side... and to his great surprise sees a thin tentacle arm reach out of nowhere and disappear it. Confused, he asks if the others saw that too, and Wobbuffet is delighted to agree, and just as delighted when the mysterious Pok�mon appears again and blasts them all in the face with ink - he's just happy to be involved!

Froakie continues to take a beating from the faster Fletchling, but keeps on coming after it. Bigger and far more powerful, Froakie isn't thinking clearly and Fletchling is basically flying rings around it. The twerps catch up and Ash grabs it, telling it to calm down and listen before it hurts itself. He knows what it is trying to do and he wants to help, but it needs to listen to him. Fletchling attacks and he leaps aside, crashing against a tree but shielding Froakie from harm, then making sure that Pikachu, Bonnie and Clemont are okay. He tells Froakie that he understands it was trying to get even with Fletchling for making Bonnie sad, and it admits this is true. Bonnie is thrilled to hear this, and squeeze-hugs the now blushing Froakie as hard as she can.

Ash explains to Froakie that they need to negate the height advantage that Fletchling can get over them, by shifting to a terrain where Froakie can get up high too. Clemont gladly offers to help in that regard, declaring that the future is now thanks to science, and whips something surprisingly big out of bag.... a Flying Type Pok�mon Attractor machine.... also known as a fucking gramophone!

Ash swoons over the invention, taking it completely at face value. Clemont begins cranking and soundwaves wash over Fletchling, which cocks its head and listens carefully... then yawns, disinterested! Clemont doesn't understand what is wrong and cranks things up further, seemingly having no effect on Fletchling... but drawing the attention of other things. Darker things. Things deep in the forest.... motherfucking Beedrills! It's ALWAYS Beedrills!
They swarm out of the trees, surrounding them. Bonnie screams at Clemont to turn off the machine as they cheese it, followed by the furious Beedrill. But he keeps on cranking, wrapped up in the scientific ramifications of his discovery - he must be operating at too low a frequency! So he begins speeding up the crank, just irritating the Beedrill even more! He continues cranking as the others scream at him to stop, and the machine finally saves them by committing suicide!

Smoke blasts out through the trees and the Beedrill disperse, the maddening sound gone and the insects probably believing that the twerps were destroyed in the explosion too. Luckily all that happened was that their hair got puffed up, Ash's to an utterly ridiculous extent, and they're now safe from (further) harm (for now).

As they recover, the Fletchling returns to flutter over them and... yes, actually laugh at them! It's greatly amused by their antics and near-death, but Ash just grins, it seems they've ended up in the kind of terrain he was looking for after all.

Meanwhile up in Team Rocket's balloon, James checks out the odd new Pok�mon with the Team Rocket version of a Pok�dex - an advanced looking device without any of the friendly bells and whistles of the normal type used by the likes of Ash. The Pok�mon is an Inkay, which looks like a jellyfish wearing a roman helmet slightly too large for it, with flappy ears/tentacles that look like it is trying to protect its ears from betting sunburned.

It's... weird.
It's weird and it has a strange name and it has no issues with theft... so Team Rocket figure they best catch it! Jesse sends in Wobbuffet to "fight", but Inkay blasts him right in the face with another ink attack, leaving Wobbuffet slightly confused and unsettled. James has another idea though, surprising Meowth by sacrificing the remaining sandwiches in their picnic basket. Inkay eagerly grabs the food, extending its arm-ears (not an ass-arm at least) to grab them, and James takes advantage of the distraction to throw a Pok�ball at it. To his great delight and the shock of the others, the capture sticks - James just successfully caught a Pok�mon and he didn't even have to fight it!

The twerps and Fletchling are not in a narrow canyon with natural ledges of rock all around them. Fletchling lands high above them feeling safe, but Ash is ready to settle the score, telling Froakie they'll do it together - that's what being a trainer is all about. He explains his strategy to Froakie and exactly what he wants it to do, and talks up the strengths it has as a reason this will succeed. It's actually an excellent example of a skilled trainer creating the best situation for his battle, communicating well with his Pok�mon, and negating the advantage of the opponent. Bonnie comments that she has no idea what Ash just said, and that makes sense too - she's NOT a trainer herself and is a few years away from reaching the minimum age to be one, and lacks the experience to understand more than the most basic concept of what Pok�mon battles are. They're not just mashing attacks of one Pok�mon against another, they're about understanding the strengths and weaknesses of all the participants, using the battlefield and all the other elements to create the best possible circumstances. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come with Ash in Kalos, and we won't see a return to him being woefully naive in terms of battling like he was at various early points in Unova.

Froakie is able to get above or stay level with the flying Fletchling, using its frubbles to keep Fletchling on the move, using the cracks and crevices to keep hidden from sight and set up a decoy of itself in the shadows that completely fools Fletchling. Finally scoring a direct shot on the little jerk-ass bird, Froakie leaps back as Ash sends in his Pok�ball, but it fails to trap Fletchling, which breaks out and goes right back on the offensive. Froakie once more uses the narrow canyon to get up above Fletchling, and blasts the little bird again with a Water Pulse. Ash adjusts his cap, throws another Pok�ball... and this time succeeds, he just caught a Fletchling, and Froakie got to avenge little Bonnie's upset!

As Ash celebrates, Froakie collapses, and Ash rushes to its side to check it out. Making sure it is okay, he tells it that they couldn't have done it without it, and it gives Pikachu a tired little high five. Clemont is once again impressed with Ash's showing, talking up his display of teamwork. Ash brings out Fletchling so everybody can get to know each other properly, and Bonnie gets to speak to the tiny (and very cute!) little bird. She asks it to tell her the next time it is hungry because it is wrong to steal food, and it looks suitably chastened.... after all, it "belongs" to Ash now, it isn't free to do as it wants anymore, now it is a slave to the moral dictates of the human race!

Yay?
Bonnie quickly forgives it though, and Clemont hands out oran berries to Fletchling, Froakie and Pikachu. Everybody are all friends, and happily they all continue on their way to Santalune City.... watched from the shadows of the rocks by the now forgotten Dedenne, which apparently isn't quite done with THEM yet.

In Lumiose City, Serena arrives at Sycamore's lab, calling out to see if anybody is home, since apparently the door was unlocked and she just walked her ass on inside without even knocking. Sycamore walks out to the head of the stairs and greets her, correctly guessing that she is here to begin her Pok�mon Journey. She is, but she's also interested in learning more about that trainer she was on television with the Garchomp. He guesses she means Ash (well who fucking else would it be, Sycamore?) and hearing that name lights her up, as she thinks to herself that she knew it was him. The mystery deepens, it seems that little boy she had the flashback to in the last episode didn't just look like Ash, but WAS Ash. So how does she know him? Does he know her? What is going on?

Before we can find out though, or any questions can be asked about exactly the sexy Sycamore was doing with in his big house with his sexy assistants that meant nobody was at the door to greet Serena, he asks if she knows which Pok�mon she intends to pick. She does, and so he has one of his assistants bring them in. Fennekin, Chespin and Froakie all beam up at her as we wait to see what choice she will make.... next episode!