Ep 39. One Trick Phony

Ash, Misty, and Brock are still at the Whirl Cup competition in the latest episode of Pokemon the Series season 5, titled "One Trick Phony." The trio is excited to watch the performances of the remaining competitors, hoping to see some fantastic battles in the process.

However, things take an interesting turn when they meet Trixie, an aspiring magician, who claims to be a water-type Pokemon trainer. Her main act during performances involves making a duck-shaped Pokemon, Kappo, disappear and reappear, leading many spectators to believe that she's a skilled Pokemon trainer. But as it turns out, Trixie is nothing more than a one-trick phony.

Soon after, Ash and his buddies encounter Trixie again, and this time, she openly admits that she doesn't really know much about Pokemon training. Instead, she's utilizing her skills as a magician to trick people into believing otherwise. When Trixie asks the group for help in finding a water Pokemon to add to her arsenal to keep up her illusion tail, Ash and friends jump on the opportunity to show her the right way of training Pokemon.

In the meantime, Team Rocket is also participating in the Whirl Cup tournament and has specifically been keeping an eye on the performances of Trixie. They're convinced that she has a powerful water Pokemon that they can steal, especially after witnessing her act with Kappo. After several attempts to steal her Pokemon, they finally succeed, but to their surprise, it's just a regular Magikarp.

Trixie, horrified and embarrassed, realizes the error of her ways and promises to stop the charade. Ash and his friends encourage her to learn more about Pokemon training and to practice hard, so she can become a proper trainer. In a stroke of luck, they also come across a kindhearted do-gooder who offers to help Trixie train a real water Pokemon.

As the episode draws to a close, Ash, Misty, and Brock watch Trixie's final performance at the Whirl Cup, this time with a newly trained Lapras. While her routine is far from perfect, it's evident that Trixie has learned a lot and is working hard to improve. Ash and friends cheer her on, hoping that one day she'll become a great Pokemon trainer.

Overall, "One Trick Phony" is an engaging episode that showcases the importance of hard work, honesty, and dedication in Pokemon training. It also highlights the role of deception in the world of Pokemon battles and how even the most talented performers can fall short without proper training. The episode is an essential watch for both kids and adults who love the franchise and are looking for valuable life lessons wrapped up in an exciting and fun-filled adventure.