Ep 44. Doin' What Comes Natu-rally

Ash, Misty, and Brock travel through a beautiful forest on their way to the next gym challenge when they come across a trainer named McKenzie. McKenzie has a team of Pokemon that she has trained to perform plays for audiences in the forest. McKenzie invites the group to watch her next performance and they agree. The play tells the story of a Natu and a Xatu who work together to save the forest from a dangerous storm. The performance is a hit with the audience and Ash, Misty, and Brock are impressed with the Pokemon's acting skills.

After the show, McKenzie explains that she is having a problem with one of her Natu. The Natu, named Natu-re, is not interested in performing in the plays and has been causing trouble in rehearsals. McKenzie asks Ash and his friends to help her train Natu-re so that it can participate in upcoming performances. Ash agrees and reluctantly Natu-re allows Ash to capture it in a Pokeball.

Ash, Misty, and Brock work hard to train Natu-re using a variety of methods, but nothing seems to work. Natu-re is stubborn and refuses to follow any of their commands. Meanwhile, McKenzie is getting anxious as the next performance is fast approaching and she needs all her Pokemon to be ready.

Eventually, Ash has an idea to take Natu-re out of the forest and into the nearby mountains to train. While hiking, they come across a group of wild Natu and Xatu who are also dealing with a dangerous storm. Ash and his friends help the wild Pokemon protect their nests from the storm and in doing so, Natu-re learns the importance of working together and protecting others.

Back in the forest, Natu-re is now eager to participate in the upcoming play. However, on the day of the performance, McKenzie is missing. Ash and his friends search for her and eventually find her stuck in a ravine. They help her out and rush to the performance, which has already started. Ash hands Natu-re over to McKenzie, who is thrilled to see that it has changed and is now performing flawlessly.

The play is a success and the audience is impressed with Natu-re's performance. McKenzie thanks Ash and his friends for their help and gives Natu-re to Ash as a gift. Ash releases Natu-re, realizing that it belongs in the forest with the other Natu and Xatu.

Overall, this episode showcases the importance of teamwork and the value of protecting others. It also highlights the potential for Pokemon to be trained in unique and creative ways, such as performing in plays for entertainment.