Ep 30. Tricks of the Trade

Ash and his friends travel to the city of Saffron for Ash's next Gym battle. As they explore the city, they come across a group of traders selling rare and valuable Pokemon merchandise. The group is led by a man named Giovanni, who takes a particular interest in Ash's Pikachu.

As Ash prepares for his Gym battle, he agrees to let Giovanni and his team borrow Pikachu for a show they are putting on to promote their merchandise. However, things take a turn when Team Rocket shows up and attempts to steal Pikachu. With Giovanni's help, Ash and his friends are able to stop Team Rocket and save Pikachu.

However, as the group continues to interact with Giovanni and his team, they begin to realize that things may not be what they seem. They start to suspect that the traders may be involved in illegal Pokemon trading and decide to investigate.

As they dig deeper, they uncover a sinister plot to capture and sell rare and valuable Pokemon, including Legendary Pokemon. With the help of Giovanni and a group of undercover police officers, Ash and his friends are able to stop the traders and bring them to justice.

Throughout the episode, Ash learns about the importance of protecting and respecting Pokemon and their habitats, and the dangers of illegal trading. The episode also explores the theme of trust and who to trust in a world where not everyone has good intentions.

Overall, "Tricks of the Trade" is a thrilling episode that showcases the importance of protecting Pokemon and the power of teamwork in the face of danger. It also provides important messages about trust and the consequences of illegal Pokemon trading.