Ep 21. The Grass Route

Ash, Misty, and Brock finally arrive in Ecruteak City and are amazed by its beautiful architecture and traditional culture. Things take an unexpected turn when the group is approached by a young girl named Tsukushi who is lost and looking for her way back home. Ash, being the helpful hero that he is, offers to escort her back to her village which is nestled deep in a nearby forest.

As they make their way through the forest, Ash and his friends are amazed by the lush vegetation and the numerous Pokemon that they encounter. They soon realize that they have taken a wrong turn and are lost themselves. In their search for the correct path, they run into an imposing man named Marcus who claims to be a Pokemon trainer of great skill.

Marcus agrees to help the group find their way to Tsukushi's village but also offers to battle Ash in a match. Ash, ever eager to get stronger, accepts the challenge and the two trainers engage in an intense Pokemon battle. Marcus proves to be a formidable opponent, even managing to defeat Ash's Pikachu in a stunning upset.

The group eventually makes it to Tsukushi's village where they are greeted by her friends and family. They are amazed by the simple, yet fulfilling way of life that the villagers lead. They also learn that the village has been plagued by a mysterious type of grass that has been ruining their crops and endangering their Pokemon.

Ash and his friends offer to help the villagers and they set off to learn more about the grass and how to stop it. They discover that the grass is actually a type of parasitic plant that feeds on the nutrients of the soil. They also learn that a group of wild Pokemon have been eating the plant which has caused it to spread even more.

Ash and his friends come up with a plan to use their own Pokemon to eat the parasitic plant and stop it from spreading. They also manage to capture and tame some of the wild Pokemon that have been causing the problem. With their combined efforts, they are able to eliminate the plant and save the village's crops.

Marcus, who had been watching from afar, is impressed by Ash's skills and his dedication to helping others. He admits that he had been looking for a real challenge and that he had found it in Ash. He offers to help Ash and his friends on their journey and to train together.

The episode ends with Ash and his friends bidding farewell to Tsukushi and her village and setting off on their next adventure with Marcus in tow. They are eager to see what challenges lie ahead and to grow even stronger as Pokemon trainers.