Ep 8. Gymbaliar!

Ash and his friends have arrived at the town of Veilstone, which is famous for its many gyms. Our heroes are excited to challenge the Veilstone Gym and earn their next badge.

However, when they arrive at the gym, they find it closed and the Gym Leader, Maylene, nowhere to be found. They learn from a local trainer that Maylene is feeling overwhelmed and stressed out by the responsibilities of being a Gym Leader.

Determined to help Maylene, Ash and friends set out to find her and offer their support. Along the way, they encounter a Gym Challenger named Paul, who is arrogant and belittles Maylene. Ash and Paul quickly get into a heated argument, with Paul insisting that the only way to train Pokémon is to be tough and strict.

Ash, as always, disagrees and continues on his mission to find Maylene. They eventually locate her in a park, where she is training with her Lucario. Ash and his friends offer their help, but Maylene refuses, saying that she needs to train on her own to prove to herself that she can do it.

As they watch from afar, Ash and friends notice that Maylene is having a hard time controlling her Pokémon and is using harsh methods to train. They become even more worried when they see Paul nearby, watching and criticizing Maylene.

The next day, the Veilstone Gym reopens, and Maylene is ready to battle. Ash steps up as the challenger, but he quickly realizes that something is off. Maylene's Pokémon are behaving strangely, and their attacks are uncoordinated.

Ash realizes that Maylene is not in control of her Pokémon, and that something must be wrong. With help from his friends, Ash investigates and discovers that an impostor has taken Maylene's place as Gym Leader and is using mind control to force her Pokémon to battle.

With this new knowledge, Ash and his friends set out to rescue Maylene and put an end to the impostor's schemes. They encounter various obstacles along the way, including false trainers and traps, but ultimately make it to the Gym Leader's room.

There, they confront the impostor and engage in a battle. Despite being outnumbered, Ash and his friends manage to win by working together and using their unique skills and strategies.

After the battle, Maylene thanks Ash and his friends for their help and vows to become a better Trainer. Ash, always looking for the next challenge, eagerly takes on the genuine Gym Leader in a rematch and earns his Badge.

With another victory under his belt, Ash and his friends say goodbye to Veilstone and set out for their next adventure, whatever it may be.