Episode 85: Do Know Harm

Ash and Pikachu are running up steps that ascend a large hill. At its top is a large dome-shaped building with a giant telescope protruding from it, an observatory. The Pokémon gym logo hangs on its front. He shouts, "I'm still fresh off my victory at the Crater Town Gym, so let's make it two in a row!"

Pikachu adds with excitement, "Pika pi pika!"

Brenda and Brock, as always, are forced to struggle to keep up. Brenda complains, "I swear, we spend more time chasing after Ash than just about anything else."

Brock reminds, "Think about how I feel, I've been traveling with him much longer than you have."

They both sigh.

Today we catch our heroes on their way up to Ash's sixth gym battle in the Tenno Region at the Opti City Gym. But what's this? Something doesn't look right!

Ash and Pikachu suddenly come to a complete stop when they notice something hanging on the door of the observatory. Ash reads, "Sorry, but due to family issues, I've had to leave on sudden notice. The Opti City Gym will reopen as soon as possible." Ash groans. "Not again! Why can't gyms ever be open when we get to them?"

Brenda takes a second to gather her breath, and then suggests, only half joking, "Because that would be too easy." She looks back down the large hill. "Great, now we have to go all the way back down, don't we?"

Ash asks, "What are we supposed to do now, anyways?"

Brock thinks of something. "Hey, I didn't mention this before, because we were in a hurry, but I noticed a poster on the way over here advertising a Pokémon Contest in Cosm City."

Brenda's eyes light up. "Cosm City!? Really!? No way! We have to go, guys! The Pokémon Contest is the perfect excuse!"

Ash is confused by Brenda's excitement. "What's so special about Cosm City?"

Brenda explains, "Cosm City isn't just your regular, run of the mill city. It's also the world's largest theme park!"

Ash questions, "The city is a theme park?"

Brenda nods. "Exactly, it's a theme park so gigantic that it's been designated its own city. People who work there and major fans of the park even live there full time. I've always wanted to go there, but it was always too far of a trip for Mom to take me. They have every amusement park ride and carnival game there you could imagine, and more."

Ash seems to have forgotten about his plight. "That sounds great! What are we waiting for!? Let's go!"

Brock smiles. "Then it's all agreed. We'll take a detour to Cosm City while waiting for the gym leader to return."

Brenda is now the one who runs down the stairs, forcing Ash and Brock to chase her.


Ash, Brock, and Brenda now head out, moving away from the city's perimeter. Brenda seems to still be gushing at the prospect of travelling to Cosm City. Their peaceful walk is interrupted when something shouts, "Healaaaaaaaaa!"

Without needing to say anything, all three run with concern towards the source of the cry. Ahead of them they spot a young man chasing a Heala. The man wears maroon pants and a brown shirt with a white coat over it. On the lapel of his coat is a silver caduceus pin. He has somewhat long blond hair styled in an elegant manner. One might call him handsome. The man lunges forward in an attempt to grab the Heala, shouting, "Got you!"

However, the Heala manages to stay just far enough ahead to avoid being captured. It keeps on running. It shouts in terror, "Healaaaaa!"

Ash's eyes widen. "Hey, that's the same Heala as before! The one that helped us heal Kappaqueous!"

Brenda asks, "But how's that possible? We're so far from where we met it before. We even crossed the ocean."

Ash responds, "I don't know, but it looks like it's in trouble." With that, he runs forward and gets between the man and Heala. He shouts accusingly, "What do you think you're doing!?"

Heala scurries off behind a tree to hide, but pokes its head out to see what's going on. It cheers with glee when it realizes that it's Ash. "Heala!"

The man looks to Ash with annoyance. "I could ask you the same thing. What are you doing, getting in the middle of my business?"

Ash asserts, "That Heala is my friend, and you're terrorizing it."

"Oh, so that's your Pokémon?"

Ash shakes his head. "No, it's wild."

"Good, then this doesn't concern you. Please step aside so that I may continue." He looks angrily at the peeking Heala, causing Heala to recoil back into its hiding spot.

Ash reasserts, "Maybe you didn't understand me the first time. That Heala is my friend, so I'm going to protect it from the likes of you. What are you even trying to do to it?"

The man groans in annoyance. "If you must know, I am a Pokémon doctor, and I need that Heala so I can study its antivenom."

At this point, Brock and Brenda have caught up. Brock says, "Hey, you're a Pokémon doctor? So am I!"

The man scoffs at the notion. "Are you actually comparing yourself to me? Ha!" He pulls out a piece of paper and shows it to Brock. "I'll have you know, I've been awarded with a Certificate of High Medical Honors. Just a measly three more and I'll be acknowledged as the greatest doctor in the Tenno Region."

Brock grins. "Hey, I have one of those too." He pulls out his certificate he earned for healing his Blissey.

The man is shocked. He shouts in outrage, "What!? This must be some kind of fluke. There is no way someone like you could earn a Certificate of High Medical Honors."

Brock is confused by his response. "We're obviously both working to achieve the same goal. What does it matter?"

"What does it matter? We're rivals, enemies, both working to earn the certificates."

Brock is even more confused. "It's not a competition. We can both earn four of them. It's not like they only give out a certain amount. We both just want to help Pokémon."

The man shakes his head in disapproval. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. You are an ignorant one. There may not be a limit on the certificates given out, but there are only so many extreme medical cases that pop up to be cured. We are opponent's in the battle to cure these cases. Now, if you would excuse me, if I could figure out how to synthesize that Heala's antivenom, it would earn me a certificate in no time." He looks to Ash and motions his hand dismissively.

Ash emphasizes, "Heala obviously doesn't want to go with you, so why don't you just give it up?"

"And why should I care what Heala wants? I'm trying to find a miracle cure. Heala's wishes are insignificant."

Ash is about to shout something back, but Brock, in an uncharacteristic rage, cuts him off and shouts, "What is wrong with you!?"

"Excuse me?"

Brock stomps up to him. "If you really cared about healing Pokémon, then you would care what Heala wants! It is your sworn duty as a Pokémon doctor to do no harm! If you don't care about what Heala wants, then you don't care about the needs of any Pokémon! You're just doing this for the fame, aren't you!?"

"Well, that and the money, of course."

Brock can't believe what he just heard. "Why you…!" His holds clenched fists in front of him, visibly shaking from his anger as he tries to control himself.

Ash hears something behind him and turns around. Heala has been scared off by this confrontation. Ash shouts, "I'm going to go make sure Heala's alright!"

The man groans. "Great, and now you let Heala get away. Look, I don't know what your problem is with me, but, to tell the truth, I don't really care. So how about you go run off with your naïve little friend and continue with your naïve little quest to become a doctor and caring about only the good of others." The man turns around and begins to walk away.

After he's gone a few steps, Brock demands, "What's your name?"

Without turning back to Brock or stopping, the man responds, "The name's Alistair."

Brock declares firmly, "Alistair, I challenge you to a Pokémon battle."

This gets his attention. Alistair turns to face Brock. "A Pokémon battle? And for what reason would I do something like that?"

"No matter the difference in two people's perspectives, the best way for two trainers to understand one another is a Pokémon battle. Maybe it'll teach you some empathy."

Alistair chuckles at the notion. "I don't normally bother with activities as frivolous in battles, but I do admit I respect your gall to challenge me like that. Maybe you do have some backbone after all. Very well. I'll accept your challenge. Come with me, there's a battlefield in town we can use." He walks off.

Brenda advises, "Brock, you really should just ignore him."

Brock nods and sighs. "I know, but this is just too personal for me. Someone needs to put this guy in his place, and that someone is me."

Brenda mutters, "I hope you know what you're doing." They both leave to follow Alistair.


Ash is running, looking for Heala. He shouts, "Heala! Where are you!? I'm sorry you just had to go through that!" He stops and looks to Pikachu. "Where do you think it went?"

Pikachu shrugs. "Pika pik."

"I guess if last time we went looking for it has any meaning, it can only be found if it wants to." He plops down on the ground, cross-legged. Pikachu sits in his lap. Ash thinks back to what had just transpired. "Man, that guy was a major jerk. What was his problem?"

Pikachu says with distaste, "Pi pika."

Ash suddenly leaps up, forcing Pikachu off his lap, when he notices something. He shouts excitedly, "Hey, Pikachu, look!"

Up ahead of them, a Dunsparce creeps by. "Bi bi bi bi bi, bi bi."

"Yeah, this is our chance! It's time to finally catch us a Dunsparce. You ready Pikachu?"

Pikachu nods. "Pika." It readies itself for battle.

Ash commands, "Alright then, Thunderbolt, go!"

"Pikaaaa chuuuuu!"


Who's that Pokémon!?

As its energy, this Pokémon uses the positive emotions of compassion and pleasure exuded by people and Pokémon. It stores up feelings of happiness inside its shell, then shares them with others


Brock and Alistair have each taken up positions on either side of an indoor battlefield. Brenda sits on the side. Brock proposes, "How does a two-on-two, standard rules battle sound?"

Alistair seems indifferent. "Your battle, your call."

"Fine, that's what we'll do then." Brock pulls out a Pokéball, "Let's go, Blissey!"

Blissey appears, ready for battle. "Blissey!"

Alistair laughs. He says with sarcasm, "Wow, a Blissey. Never expected a Pokémon doctor wannabe to be using one of those. You truly are a creative inspiration. Bravo."

This angers both Brock and Blissey. "If that's what you think, how about you show me who your medical partner is."

"With pleasure." He tosses a Pokéball. From it, a Slowking appears. It stands with an air of confidence and arrogance, similar to its trainer.

Brenda takes out her Pokédex. "I haven't seen that one before."

The Pokédex says, "Slowking, the Royal Pokémon and a Water and Psychic Combo-Type. Due to its unusual body chemistry, a Shelder's toxins have a unique effect on a Slowpoke bitten in the head, making it smarter. While it may be fast of mind, it is still slow of body. Evolves from Slowpoke with a King's Rock."

Alistair declares, "By all means, go ahead and take the first move."

"Alright, I will. Blissey, use Mega Punch!" Blissey leaps into the air and its fist begins to glow. It falls towards Slowking, readying itself for its strongest punch.

Alistair, completely unpressured, commands, "Swagger."

Slowking arrogantly crosses its arms and gives an intimidating look to Blissey. It begins to glow red. This seems to infuriate Blissey. Blissey's eyes glaze over.

Brock realizes what Alistair is doing and warns, "Blissey! Stop the attack!"

It's too late, Blissey has already committed. Blissey lands and takes a punch at Slowking, but completely misses, causing it to spin around and fall to the ground onto its back.

Brenda, with surprise, asks, "What just happened to Blissey?"

Without taking his eyes off Blissey, Brock explains, "That's what Swagger does. It infuriates the target so much that it becomes Confused, which might make it cause damage to itself when attacking."

Brenda gasps, "That's awful." She looks to Alistair loathingly, "And it sounds quite familiar."

Alistair then commands, "Now Slowking, use Power Gem, if you may." From the gem on its forehead, Slowking fires a red beam of light at the downed Blissey.

Brock shouts, "Blissey, get up!" Blissey is just starting to get to its feet as the attack lands, knocking it back several feet. Brock thinks, Blissey is still confused. If I have it attack, it could backfire, but if we don't do anything, then Blissey's just going to turn into a walking punching bag. Brock readies himself and shouts, "Blissey, keep your distance and use Egg Bomb!"

Blissey gets back up and creates an orange energy, which it precedes to throw. Unfortunately, in its confusion, it lands nowhere near Slowking and harmlessly explodes.

Brock grunts and Alistair chuckles in amusement. "Looks like your Blissey isn't good for that much, huh? Slowking, show him what a real Pokémon can do. Use Geyser Strike."

Slowking leaps upwards and attacks with a stream of steaming hot water.

Brock shouts, "Dodge!"

Blissey manages to dodge out of the way, but when the boiling water impacts the ground, a massive cloud of steam emerges and goes on to cloak the entire field.

Alistair taunts, "You may have been able to dodge that last attack, but how well can you dodge when you can't even see the attack? Use Geyser Strike again!"

Brock cautions, "Blissey, it will be coming from a similar direction as before! Dodge again!" Blissey attempts to dodge by jumping to the side, but apparently Slowking moved before launching its attack, and the water burst comes in from a different direction than expected. Blissey fails to dodge and is knocked away by the attack. The amount of steam around the battlefield has increased.

Near panic, Brock thinks, I can't attack, I can't dodge. What can I do?

As if reading his mind, Alistair declares, "Do you realize now that you were in over your head from the moment you challenged me?"

Brock asserts, "No, I wasn't! Blissey, wide-range Secret Power!" Blissey begins to glow pink, and then all that energy is released outwards in a pulse of energy. This pulse not only clears the steam, but is impossible to miss, finally allowing Blissey to land a hit. And, apparently, landing that one hit was what Blissey needed to snap out of its Confusion, as its eyes return to normal.

Brock cheers, "Alright, now we're talking! Get in there and use Mega Punch, Blissey! Rapid fire!"

Before Alistair can react to the results of the last attack, Blissey runs at Slowking and unleashes and rapid flurry of punches at Slowking, not holding back in the slightest. The final punch is the strongest, and sends Slowking flying back until it slams into a wall.

Alistair is not amused in the slightest. "Hmph. So you managed to lie a hit, and powerful one at that. I'm sorry I'm going to have to reverse all that damage you dealt. Oh wait, I'm not in the slightest. Slowking, heal yourself with Slack Off."

Slowking yawns, and then glows a brilliant green. Moments later, it has healed most of its injuries.

Brock glares at Alistair. "It figures you would use a move like that as your only healing move."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"It reflects your personality perfectly. My Blissey knows Soft-Boiled, and it can use it to both heal itself and share its strength with other Pokémon to heal them, but all Slack Off can do is heal your Slowking. It's of no help to anyone but yourself. It sums you up perfectly as a doctor. You're interested in helping no body but yourself."

Alistair, not really caring what Brock is saying, responds, "I've found the more time you spend worrying about others, the less time you have to make sure that you're the best. Let's show him you're the best, Slowking! Use Power Gem!"

Brock quickly counters, "Blissey, you use Egg Bomb!"

Both Pokémon launch their attacks at once. The Egg Bomb arcs upwards over the Power Gem, and both attacks land on their targets. Moments later, both Pokémon fall to the ground. The match is a tie.


It's Togepi!


Pikachu and the Dunsparce Ash wants to catch are in the middle of a battle. Pikachu is attacking with an Electro Ball. "Chu, pika chu!" The Electro Ball is flung at Dunsparce.

Dunsparce begins to rotate along its horizontal axis and rams itself towards Pikachu in a Drill Run attack.

Ash quickly orders, "Block it with Iron Tail!" Pikachu swings its tail around and deflects the Dunsparce away. "Great, now use Thunderbolt!"

"Pikaaaaaa chuuuuuuuu!"

Atop a nearby tree, Heala, hearing the battle, steps out onto a tree limb. As soon as it sees Ash is in a battle, it becomes immeadiatly enthralled. "Heala!"

Dunsparce quickly recovers from the jolt it just received and digs underground.

Ash quickly surveys the surrounding area. "Alright Pikachu, that was Dig! Stay alert for any kind of motion."

Pikachu nods. "Pi." It glances around in each direction, looking for any indication of Dunsparce's whereabouts. Then the ground beneath its feet begins to push up, and Dunsparce bursts out of the ground, delivering a solid hit to Pikachu and forcing it up into the air.

Heala shouts in surprise, "Heala!"

Ash is ready to turn even this situation around. "Okay Pikachu, fall into it with Iron Tail!"

Pikachu twists its body around in mid-air and begins to fall back down onto Dunsparce. "Chu, pika!" The Iron Tail slams into Dunsparce. Pikachu hops backwards once it hits the ground.

Heala cheers with joy as it jumps up and down. "Heala, heala!" In its excitement, it accidently loses its footing and slips off the tree branch. It shouts, "Heala!" and lands on the ground with a thud.

This gets both Ash and Pikachu's attention. Ash asks, "What was that!?"

Dunsparce realizes they're distracted, and lifts off into the air and flies away.

Ash notices only when it's too late. "Not again! We almost had it too." As he watches it fly off, he questions, "How does that thing even fly, anyways?"

Pikachu shrugs. "Chu pika."

Ash then walks over to where he heard the noise earlier and finds Heala on the ground, more stunned than hurt or injured. "Heala! No way! What are you doing here?!"

Heala gets back to its feet and scratches it head, unsure how to answer. It then points to Ash and Pikachu, and then off in the direction of the fleeing Dunsparce. "Heala, heal heala."

Ash questions, "You were watching us battle?"

Heala nods excitedly, leaps up and down a couple times, and then does a few shadow boxing moves. "Heala!"

Ash suddenly realizes, "Wait, have you been following me around so you could watch us battle?"

Heala nods, somewhat embarrassed.

"So you saw the battle the Crater Town Gym? The fight with Team Planetary? The Sol Tournament?"

Heala nods yes on all accounts. It apologizes, "Heala la."

Ash shakes his head. "You don't need to be sorry. I remember how much you love battling, you just have trouble participating in them yourself. I'll bet you really enjoy watching them."

Heala nods excitedly. "Heala!"

Ash thinks for a moment, and then says, "You know what would be better than just watching battles?"

"Heala?"

"Actually being in a battle. I bet you'd do really well."

Heala looks a little embarrassed again. "Heal…"

"Don't say that about yourself Heala, you're a great battler. Remember how you beat back Team Rocket and saved Pikachu? You were super powerful!"

"Heala?"

"Yes, you were. And you know what? I think if you just got more used to battling, maybe you could overcome your sudden mid-battle panic. Then you'd be a really great battler."

Heala is uncertain of how it would accomplish this. "Heala la heal?"

"I'll tell you what, Heala. Since you're following me around anyways, how about you make it official and join Pikachu and me? Then, not only could you watch all of our battles, but we could also work together and get you battling too. What do you say?"

Heala needs no time to consider. It immeadiatly agrees with much excitement, "Heala la!"

Ash runs several steps backwards, and declares, "Alright then Heala, you're in!" He pulls out a Pokéball and throws it at Heala. Heala happily leaps up and meets the Pokéball halfway, and is pulled into it. The ball wiggles three times, and then there's a click. Heala has been captured.

Ash runs over and picks up the ball. He holds it up and triumphantly declares, "Alright, I just got a Heala!"

Pikachu springs in and adds, "Pik pika pi!"


Alistair recalls his Pokémon. He mutters, "What a fluke." He pulls out another Pokéball. "I promise this second one won't go down nearly as easy! Go, Vespidron!"

The bee Pokémon holding a honeycomb shield and stinger-like lance appears. "Veeespi!"

Brock declares, "Don't think my second Pokémon will be a pushover either! Go, Meteorfight!"

"Meteor!"

Brenda cheers, "Alright Brock and Meteorfight! You've got the type advantage! Show this jerk what you've got!"

Brock wastes no time. "Meteorfight, use Meteor Slam!"

Meteorfight pulls its limbs into its body and hurls itself at Vespidron. "Meteoooor!"

Alistair chuckles at Brock's attempt to attack. He simply commands, "Dodge."

With incredible speed, Vespidron moves from one spot to another, almost instantaneously. Meteorfight's failed attack causes it to slam into the nearest wall.

Brock says with disbelief, "What speed!"

Alistair grins faintly. "Now Vespidron, use Smart Strike!" Vespidron raises its lance into the air, and then points it straight at the still-dazed Meteorfight. It charges forward and rams the lance into Meteorfight.

It shouts in pain, "Meteoooooor!"

Brock shouts, "Quickly Meteorfight, while it's still right there, use Comet Punch!" He thinks, Even with all that speed, there's no way it can dodge the speed of a close-range Comet Punch!

Alistair commands, "Protect!" Just as Meteorfight's punch is about to hit, Vespidron raises its shield and generates a protective barrier from it, completely negating Meteorfight's attack. "Now, Smart Strike again!"

Brock shouts, "Get away, Meteorfight!" Meteorfight literally rolls its body in an attempt to dodge, but Vespidron deftly turns its body and jabs at Meteorfight again, knocking it away. Meteorfight has now sustained some pretty nasty damage.

Brock recalls, Right, a Pokémon with enough skill to use a Smart Strike attack will never miss. Dodging won't work, and by the looks of it, Meteorfight can't take too many more hits like that. We need to land a hit, and fast. He shouts aloud, "Meteorfight, use Meteor Mash!"

Meteorfight's fist glows silver as it leaps up into the air, ready to slam its fist down onto Vespidron.

Alistair counters, "Slash!" Vespidron raises its lance and slashes it at the incoming Pokémon, knocking it back to the ground before it can hit. Alistair looks to Brock, "You know, you could save your Pokémon a lot of suffering if you just gave up now. Isn't that what you're all about? Stopping Pokémon from suffering?"

Brock accuses, "As if you would know what it means to be a Pokémon doctor!" He looks to Meteorfight, and sees that it's struggling to get up. He clenches his fists. "Meteorfight, we have to fight on!"

Meteorfight forces itself to stand, and agrees. 'Meteor…"

Alistair shakes his head in disappointment. "Fine, I'll continue if I must. Smart Strike." Vespidron lunges once more at Meteorfight, and once more lands its attack with no interference.

Still, Meteorfight stands back up. "Mete…or…" It stumbles for a moment, but catches itself.

Brenda shouts, "Brock, you have to call off the battle! Meteorfight's taken too much damage!"

Brock shouts intensely, "No! We can't do that! We refuse to give up! Not now!"

"But Brock…"

"No! I won't let Alistair have the satisfaction. Meteorfight, I believe in you! We have to win this!"

Meteorfight attempts to prepare itself for an attack, but quickly falls to the ground, only to force itself back up once more. It sense the importance of this battle to Brock, and won't give up either.

Alistair states, "Tsk, tsk, tsk. What happened to all that talk about the good of Pokémon? Is that all it was? Talk? If you want your Pokémon beaten so badly, I won't stand in your way. Smart Strike, again!" Vespidron readies its attack.

Brock looks from Vespidron to Meteorfight and suddenly realizes his mistake. There's no way Meteorfight can withstand this attack! It's all over! As Vespidron lunges at Meteorfight, Brock shouts in despair, "Meteorfight!"

Meteorfight gathers all of its willpower and determination, and then unleashes it as an attack. Chunks of rock all around its body begin to glow silver, then, one-by-one, they are launched like bullets at Vespidron. The first stuns the incoming attacker, the second forces it to stop its attack, the third pelts it causing direct damage, and the fourth and fifth do even more.

Brock realizes with excitement, "That was Rock Blast! You learned how to use Rock Blast, Meteorfight!"

"Meteor!"

Alistair, getting annoyed, shouts, "You should have just given up!"

"Never! Meteorfight, use Rock Blast again!"

"Dodge!"

Vespidron attempts to dodge, and it manages to for the first rock, but the next several then hit it at its new location. It begins to rack up damage from the successive hits.

Brock cheers, "Alright, we can turn this around!"

But then there's a scream from outside, one of both human and Pokémon.

Brenda shouts, "What was that!? It came from outside!"

Brock immeadiatly forgets the battle and declares, "We have to help!" He, Brenda, and Meteorfight move to leave.

Alistair proclaims, "Step out of this room, and you forfeit the battle!"

Brock is outrage. "What are you talking about!? Someone is in trouble out there! We're both doctors, so let's help them!"

"Whatever's going on out there is not my problem. Leave this room, and you lost."

"Fine then! I lost the battle! It doesn't matter!" With that, he leaves without another word.

Outside, Brock and Brenda find Team Rocket mid-motto. They're in their balloon, with a Togetic held hostage. A little boy is crying. Jessie is declaring her name, "Jessie!"

James also, "James!"

"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"

"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"

"Meowth, that's right!"

"Wobbuffet!"

"Mime, mime!"

Brock demands, "What's going on!?"

The boy sobs, "Those meanies stole my Togetic and won't give it back!"

James shouts, "Hey, what's the Big Twerp and Twerpette doing here? I thought this was a twerp-free zone!"

Brenda demands, "What are you doing stealing Pokémon from this boy!? I thought your focus was us!"

Jessie scoffs, "What!? Do you think you have a monopoly on us Twerpette!? Team Rocket can steal from whoever they please! Don't be so egotistical!"

Meowth adds, "And don't you ever call Team Rocket biased! We're equal opportunity thieves! We steal from everyone!"

Brock has had enough of this. "Meteorfight, use Rock Blast!"

Meteorfight happily obliges, "Meteoooor fight, fight, fight, fight!" It blast four rocks at Team Rocket's balloon, tearing it to shreds, causing it to blast up into the air. Togetic is dropped in the mayhem.

Team Rocket shouts, "We're blasting off again!" as they disappear from sight.

The boy happily reunites with his Togetic. He looks to Brock. "Wow, thanks, mister!"

Brock grins. "As a Pokémon doctor, it's my job to help people and Pokémon, however I can."

As it just so happens, at this time, Alistair passes by on his way out. He arrogantly turns his nose from Brock and leaves without a word.

The boy and his Pokémon run off happily.

Brock sighs. Brenda approaches him and says, "You made the right choice, Brock."

"Huh?"

"Calling the battle off."

Brock nods. "Yeah, I know that. I just can't believe I gave that jerk the satisfaction. Oh well. It can't be helped, I guess. Not everyone in the world does things for the right reason." He clenches his fist. "But if I ever come across that guy again, I have a few lessons I'd like to teach him."

Meteorfight agrees, "Meteor."

Brenda points. "Hey look, it's Ash!"

Ash is running towards them, waving his arms, a Pokéball in one of his hands. He shouts, "Hey guys, you'll never guess what Pokémon I just caught!"

While Brock encompasses everything that is good about a Pokémon doctor, Alistair certainly is his opposite. A new rivalry was born on this day, one that is sure to provide much excitement in the future. Stay tuned.

To Be Continued…