Ep 57. A Claim To Flame!

Ash is on his way to the Johto League Silver Conference, and he's eager to earn his eighth and final badge. He and his friends come across a strange-looking city, and they decide to investigate. They soon discover that the city is home to a group of trainers who are obsessed with Fire-type Pokémon, and they're all vying for ownership of a rare and powerful Charmander.

The group meets a trainer named Liza who owns a Charmander, and they quickly become friends. Liza talks about her dream of becoming a Fire-type Pokémon Master, but she laments that she's never been able to beat the reigning champion, a trainer named Egan. The group decides to help Liza improve her skills, and they set out to train her Charmander.

As they train, they discover that Egan is not only a brutal fighter, but he's also been cheating in his battles. When they confront him, Egan challenges Ash to a battle to see who really is the strongest trainer. Ash and Egan face off, with Ash using his tried-and-true Pokémon tactics and Egan using his cheating methods. In the end, Ash prevails, and Egan is exposed as a fraud.

Meanwhile, the group learns that the city is in danger, as a volcano that looms over the city is about to erupt. They attempt to evacuate the city, but many of the trainers are too stubborn to leave their beloved Fire-type Pokémon behind. Ash and his friends come up with a plan to save the trainers and their Pokémon, using their own Pokémon's unique abilities to help them get to safety.

The group finally makes it to safety just in time, as the volcano erupts and spews lava all over the city. The trainers finally realize that their love of Fire-type Pokémon doesn't have to come at the expense of their own safety, and they thank Ash and his friends for showing them the error of their ways.

The episode ends with Ash and his friends continuing on their way to the Johto League Silver Conference, with a new sense of pride in their abilities and a newfound appreciation for the power of teamwork.