I wasn't planning on doing this episode originally but it's too iconic to skip
Ash: Pikachu's Goodbye!
The Pokegang have decided to take a break from their adventures in a quiet forest. Misty and Brock are resting against a tree while Alex is using the river to wash Vaporeon
"There. You feel better?" He asks
Vaporeon shivers
Va Vaporeon(A little. There's still so much nature though.)
Alex sighs, "Why can't you be more like Rhyhorn?"
Vaporeon! Vaporeon!(Seriously! That lazy slob!)
Pikachu climbs up a tree to grab some fruit from the branches. He takes a bite
Chu!
Alex returns Vaporeon and lays down near Misty and Brock, "Did I tell you guys about my dream last night? It was really weird."
"No what was it about?" Misty asks curiously
"Well we were travelling along a beach when we ran into a Jynx. Then it turned out the Jynx belonged to Santa Claus and we all rode on a talking Lapras to the North Pole. Team Rocket were there too."
"That is weird." Misty comments, "Don't you think so Ash?"
She looks over and notices Ash is gone, "Where did Ash go?"
Ash suddenly swings past holding onto a vine tightly, "Kangas Kangaskhannnnn!"
"Ash watch out-"
Ash swings face first into a tree, "Oooof!"
He collapses to the ground
"-for that tree..." Misty finishes
Pikapi!
Pikachu rushes over to check on Ash who is laying on the ground dazed
"Nice Pidgey..."
Pikachu notices something watching them in the bushes. He glances over and sees another Pikachu
Pika!
The other Pikachu gets spooked and runs off
Pikachu? Pika
Ash's Pikachu chases after it. Ash recovers at around this point and sees Pikachu running off
"Pikachu? Where are you going?" Ash gets up to follow him
Pikachu comes across a colony of wild Pichu and Pikachu. They're just goofing off and having fun with each other
Pika!
Ash and the others catch up to Pikachu
"Wow look at all of those." Ash says amazed
He pulls out his Pokedex and scans Pichu
Pichu the Tiny Mouse Pokemon. An Electric type. It is not yet skilled at storing electricity. It may send out a jolt if amused or startled. Pichu can evolve into Pikachu by developing a strong bond with someone
Ash glances down at Pikachu curiously
"Look at all the cute Pichu." Misty says interrupting Ash's thought process
A bunch of Pichu are playing with each other. One tackles the other and they both let out little jolts of electricity
Pichu! Pichu!
"They are really adorable." Alex says
Pikachu dashes towards the group
Pika Pika!
The wild Pikachu and Pichu hear it and look up startled. They all freeze in place. Ash's Pikachu stares at them confused. He notices the Pikachu he saw from earlier. This one's tail ends in a heart-like shape
Pika!(Hi!)
All the wild Pikachu and Pichu suddenly dash off terrified
"What happened?" Ash asks confused
"They must be scared of your Pikachu." Brock explains, "Maybe they can tell it's not wild or maybe it's just because it's a stranger."
The Pichu/Pikachu colony have backed away to a safe distance. Ash's Pikachu looks around at them sadly
Pi..ka...chu
He hangs his head. The girl Pikachu from before notices this and decides to approach. Everyone watches on silently as she gets close to Pikachu and sniffs him
Pikachu!
She turns and offers her tail to him in a sort of hand shake. Ash's Pikachu turns and they shake tails. The other Pikachu and Pichu then rush over to greet their new friend
"Aww." Misty says
"It seems like they have accepted Pikachu into their colony." Brock says, "Now we must silently observe so we don't-"
Ash suddenly rushes out, "I want to be part of your colony too!"
His Pikachu looks over happily
Pikapi!
The other Pikachu and Pichu however immediately dash off terrified. They rush into the woods to get away. Pikachu glances back and notices all his friends are gone
Chu...
"Why did they run away?" Ash asks confused
"You spooked them Ash." Misty says annoyed
"Oh...sorry Pikachu." Ash says depressed
"Pikachu tend to usually be quite friendly so these ones must just not be used to humans." Brock explains
The group are camping alongside the river. Pikachu has been gloomy since the incident
"I'm really sorry Pikachu. I didn't mean to scare away all your friends." Ash apologizes
Pikachu pats him on the cheek
Pika Pika
"You know he puts up with your nonsense a lot more than I do." Alex comments
"What does that mean?" Ash asks
"Nothing. Hey did I tell you about my Jynx dream?" Alex asks
The girl Pikachu is spying on them from a tree branch nearby. She suddenly slips and falls
Chuuuuu!
Ash's Pikachu looks up alarmed just in time to see her fall into the river and get swept away
Pikachu!
"Oh no!" Ash yells and everyone rushes down the bank to help
"We have to save it before it goes down the waterfall!" Brock points ahead
Ash's Pikachu rushes up a tree branch sticking out of the ground and uses it to dive into the water
"Pikachu!"
Pikachu grabs onto the other Pikachu and starts swimming for the shore when a rush of water pushes him under
"No!"
Pikachu is now also being swept along by the current
The Pikachu colony suddenly emerge from the woods and quickly take charge of the situation. They form into a chain and grab onto both Pikachu before pulling them to shore. Ash sighs in relief
"That was close."
The Pikachu have gathered around Ash's who is unconscious. Ash tries to rush over to check but Brock grabs him. He shakes his head
The girl Pikachu places it's cheek next to Ash's and sends a jolt of electricity through. Pikachu wakes up
Pika Pikachu?(What happened?)
Pi Pi!
The girl Pikachu grabs an apple and offers it to Ash's
Pi Pika Pikachu(Thank you for saving me)
Pikachu takes the apple. The other Pikachu suddenly rush over and start hoisting him into the air using their tails
Pika! Pika!
"It seems they consider your Pikachu a hero." Brock says
"Why? All he did was drown?" Alex asks
"Well Pikachu seems to be enjoying it." Misty comments
Pikachu is having the time of his life
Team Rocket, as usual, are spying on them
"Look at all those Pikachu!" James exclaims
"And are those Pichu I see as well?" Jessie asks
"That's right. It's an entire colony!" Meowth exclaims
"If we nab all those Pokemon and deliver them to the boss...he'll promote us for sure!" Jessie exclaims
"Hmm how are we gonna do it though?" James asks, "I mean we can barely even handle one Pikachu?"
"True but that Pikachu is abnormal. I doubt the rest having anywhere close to his power." Meowth says
Jessie smirks, "I have a plan."
Night has fallen and the Pichu and Pikachu are now doing some kind of weird chant in the forest
Pi Pika Pikachu
Pi Pika Pikachu
They are swaying their heads back and forth in time with the chant. Ash, Misty and Alex are watching from the bushes nearby. Alex is swaying his head back and forth as well
"They sure look like they're having fun." Misty says
"They are" Ash agrees
Brock approaches them, "Dinner will be ready in just a few minutes. Oh it looks like Pikachu sure is fitting in well."
"Yeah." Ash says happily
"I think it's the best thing in the world for Pikachu to be here with his own kind." Brock says
"Huh?" Ash glances at him confused. He looks back at Pikachu and how happy he is being around other Pikachu
Pika Pika
"Hmm..."
The four of them are sitting around a fire. Alex, Misty and Brock have finished eating but Ash hasn't even touched his food yet
"Thanks Brock. That was delicious." Misty says
Brock chuckles, "What can I say? I'm a great cook."
"What would we do without you?" Alex asks
Ash stares into his bowl of stew, lost in his thoughts
"Hey Ash." He's snapped out of it and glances over at Misty confused
"Yeah?"
"I asked if you thought the vegetables grown here had an effect on the taste of the food."
"Oh yeah probably." Ash glances back down
"You haven't even eaten yet." Alex notices concerned
"Yeah and you don't look so good. Do you feel ok?" Brock asks
Ash smiles, "Never felt better! Everything's fine!" He starts shoving spoonfuls of food into his mouth
Everyone else has gone to sleep but Ash is still up, staring into the fire. He sees images of Pikachu surrounded by all his new friends, and how happy he is
"I think it's the best thing in the world for Pikachu to be here with his own kind." Brock's words echo in Ash's head
(Here with his own kind...)
He sees the image of Pikachu running when the fire is suddenly blown out by a burst of wind
"Aw..."
He just hangs his head
Chuuuu!
He jumps up startled. The others awaken as well
"What was that sound!" Brock yells
They rush towards the sound and find that all the Pichu and Pikachu have been captured in a giant net. They're all piled together
"They're trapped!" Brock yells
"Pikachu!" Ash starts searching for Pikachu
Pikapi!
He's trapped near the top of the pile
"I'll get you out Pikachu!" Ash yells
A bunch of spotlights turn on blinding the Pokegang
"Ah! Who's there!" Ash yells
Jessie(Speaker): Prepare for trouble!
James(Speaker): Make it double!
"Those voices!" Misty yells
They hear laughter
Jessie(Speaker): To protect the world from devastation!
James(Speaker): To unite all peoples within our nation!
Jessie(Speaker): To denounce the evils of truth and love!
James(Speaker): To extend our reach to the stars above!
Jessie reveals herself from behind a tree
Jessie: Jessie!
James reveals himself from behind a tree
James: James!
Jessie: Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light!
James: Surrender now or prepare to fight!
Meowth reveals himself from behind a tree
Meowth: Meowth!
Pokegang: Team Rocket!
Team Rocket: That's right!
"Oh cool I finally got a part!" Alex exclaims in realization
"Now watch as we steal all these Pichu and Pikachu!" Jessie yells
"No way! Pikachu use Thunderbolt!" Ash yells
Pikachu fires a Thunderbolt but it dissipates against the rope uselessly
Pika!
"What!" Ash yells confused. Team Rocket laugh
"Do you really think we're that stupid twerp?" James asks
"We electric-proofed the net!" Meowth yells, "No electricity's getting through there!"
"It's made from environmentally friendly material that absorbs electricity." Jessie explains
"That's very thoughtful of you." Brock replies sarcastically
"I can't use Pikachu but I can use my other Pokemon!" Ash reaches for a pokeball
James suddenly fires a net at them trapping them
"Ah!"
"Not again!" Alex yells
"Let us out of this stupid thing!" Misty yells
"Time to make our exit." Jessie smirks and they dash off into the woods. Their balloon rises into the air and shoots down a rope grabbing onto the net with all the Pichu and Pikachu inside. It lifts them into the air
"Wait!" Ash yells
The Pokemon wiggle and try to break free
"We're gonna get away!" Jessie yells
"I told you if we just thought our plans through better that everything would work out." James says
Pikachu decides to start biting onto the net. The other Pikachu see this and start chewing through it as well. Team Rocket don't notice as they're too busy celebrating
"We're free!" Ash manages to get out of the net. He looks up and sees the Pichu and Pikachu eating through the net, "Guys spread the net out!"
They each take a corner and spread it out creating a trampoline for the Pichu and Pikachu. The electric Pokemon start jumping from the net and landing safely. This goes on until the only one left is Ash's Pikachu
"Alright Pikachu." Ash says
Pikachu jumps from the net and lands in Ash's arms. Team Rocket meanwhile float away
"We're floating off to success!" They cheer
"How long until they realize?" Misty asks
"I'll give them a few hours." Alex replies
"You did it Pikachu!" Ash hugs his Pokemon
Pikapi!
Pikachu glances over at all the wild Pichu and Pikachu. He hops out of Ash's arms
"Pikachu?"
Pikachu rushes over to the colony and they start cheering
Pika Chu! Pika Chu!
Ash watches them intently.
Pika Chu! Pika Chu!
He looks at his Pikachu who is right in the middle. He smiles sadly
"I'm glad they're all safe." Misty says
"Yeah. Ash you really trained Pikachu well." Brock says
Ash turns and starts walking away
"Ash where are you going?" Misty asks confused
They chase after him
Ash has packed his bags and is preparing to leave
"Ash think this through." Alex begs
"I have. This is for the best." Ash replies
"Ash stop. This is crazy." Misty tells him
"My mind's made up." Ash replies
Pikachu heads over to them
Pikapi! Pikachu?
Ash bends down and strokes Pikachu's head
"Pikachu. You stay here. I'm leaving."
Pi?
"I know you'll be much happier here in the forest with the others."
Ash stands up. He takes a deep breath, "Goodbye Pikachu."
He starts walking away. Pikachu runs after him
Pikapi!
"Please don't." Ash refuses to look at him, "All these Pikachu need you. So just...goodbye!"
Ash takes off running
"Ash wait!" Alex chases after him
Pikapi...
Ash stops running. He pants heavily
(This is for the best...I guess)
Alex, Misty and Brock catch up to him
"Ash..." Alex places his hand on Ash's shoulder, "Don't do this."
Ash shrugs it off, "Pikachu will be much happier here with his own kind."
"You don't know that." Brock says
"I do."
Pikapi!
They look towards the sound and see Pikachu has followed them
"Pikachu?"
The Pikachu and Pichu colony appear behind him. The girl Pikachu runs up to Ash's Pikachu
Pi Pikachu
They do their tail handshake thing and the other Pikachu start cheering
Pika Chu! Pika Chu!
"What do you think they're doing?" Misty asks
"I think they might be cheering...for Ash and for Pikachu." Brock explains
Pikachu rushes towards Ash who starts tearing up
"Pikachu!" He runs towards Pikachu who leaps into his arms
Pikapi!
The two of them hug
TBC
There's another reason I did this episode besides how iconic it was.
Pokemon:
Ash Ketchum:
Pikachu(Male)(Electric)
Pidgeotto(Male)(Normal/Flying)
Bulbasaur(Male)(Grass/Poison)
Charmander(Male)(Fire)
Squirtle(Male)(Water)
Haunter(Male)(Ghost/Poison)
Primeape(Male)(Fighting)
Egg
At Oak's Lab:
Krabby(Male)(Water)
Muk(Male)(Poison)
Sandslash(Male)(Ground)
Tauros(Male)(Normal)(x30)
Alex Martin:
Charmeleon(Male)(Fire)
Vaporeon(Female)(Water)
Parasect(Female)(Bug/Grass)
Gyarados(Male)(Water/Flying)
Machop(Male)(Fighting)
Porygon(Normal)
Hypno(Male)(Psychic)
Rhyhorn(Male)(Ground/Rock)
At Oak's Lab:
Beedrill(Female)(Bug/Poison)
Magnemite(Electric/Steel)
Misty Waterflower:
Goldeen(Female)(Water)
Staryu(Water)
Starmie(Water/Psychic)
Oddish(Male)(Grass/Poison)
Tentacool(Male)(Water/Poison)
Horsea(Male)(Water)
Psyduck(Male)(Water)
Brock Harrison:
Onix(Male)(Rock/Ground)
Geodude(Male)(Rock/Ground)
Zubat(Male)(Poison/Flying)
Dugtrio(Jenny, Joy and Suzie)(Female)(Ground)
Vulpix(Female)(Fire)
Tauros(Male)(Normal)
Team Rocket:
Meowth(Male)(Normal)
Arbok(Male)(Poison)
Weezing(Male)(Poison)
Seaking(Female)(Water)
Weepinbell(Female)(Grass/Poison)