Ep 45. Better Eight Than Never

Ash and his friends have arrived in Saffron City and are eager to challenge Sabrina, the psychic gym leader. On their way to the gym, they meet a gentleman named Mr. Psychic, who offers them his help in defeating Sabrina. Together, they enter the gym, only to find out that Sabrina has already defeated all of the trainers who have challenged her, leaving them in a catatonic state.

Sabrina appears and Ash challenges her to a battle. Using Pikachu and his other Pokémon, Ash puts up a valiant effort but ultimately wins the battle, earning his Marsh Badge. However, during the battle, Sabrina's psychic powers cause Ash and Pikachu to switch bodies, leaving them both bewildered.

As Ash struggles to control Pikachu's body and Pikachu tries to adjust to his new human form, they are approached by Sabrina's father, a powerful psychic himself. He explains that Sabrina has been struggling to control her own psychic powers, causing her to isolate herself from others and become ruthless in battle. He asks Ash and Pikachu to help Sabrina learn to trust and connect with her Pokémon.

Ash and Pikachu agree to help, and they spend the day with Sabrina and her Pokémon, showing her the importance of friendship and trust. Sabrina slowly starts to open up and even shows a sense of humor, which surprises everyone.

As their time together comes to an end, Ash and Pikachu find themselves back in their own bodies, and Sabrina thanks them for their help. She gives Ash the Marsh Badge and tells him that she now understands the true meaning of battle.

Team Rocket, who had been pursuing Ash and his friends, finally catch up to them in Saffron City. They hatch a plan to steal Pikachu, but Sabrina, now reformed, steps in and uses her powers to blast them away.

As Ash and his friends leave Saffron City, they reflect on the lessons they learned about friendship and trust, and look forward to their next adventure.

Overall, "Better Eight Than Never" is a heartwarming episode that explores the importance of trust and friendship in Pokémon battles. It also provides a deeper look into Sabrina's character, who had previously been portrayed as cold and distant. Fans of the series will enjoy this episode for its character development and exciting battle scenes.