Ep 26. Turning Over a Nuzleaf

Ash, May, Max, and Brock continue their journey on their way to the Hoenn League but are interrupted by a sudden downpour. Seeking shelter, they stumble across an abandoned mansion. As they explore the mansion, they meet a friendly but mysterious old man who tells them a frightening story about a band of thieves who once lived there. Suddenly, they hear a strange noise and investigate, only to find a Nuzleaf sitting atop a pile of rubble.

The Nuzleaf growls menacingly and the old man warns the group to stay away, for it is rumored to be cursed. Despite the warning, Ash approaches the Nuzleaf and offers it a piece of fruit, causing the Nuzleaf to become friendly and affectionate. The old man reveals that the Nuzleaf once belonged to the thieves and had been abandoned when the thieves left the mansion. Moved by the Nuzleaf's story, Ash offers to take it with them on their journey, and the Nuzleaf happily agrees.

As they journey with Nuzleaf, Ash and his friends begin to notice that Nuzleaf has a strange disposition. It seems to be very protective of the group and will become hostile towards anyone it perceives as a threat. This becomes a problem when they encounter a group of Trainers who challenge Ash to a battle. Nuzleaf becomes aggressive towards the Trainers, and the situation nearly escalates into a full-blown fight. However, the Trainers recognize Nuzleaf's behavior and reveal that they had encountered the Nuzleaf before when the thieves had been active in the area. They had heard stories of Nuzleaf's loyalty to the thieves and its fierce protectiveness of them, and were convinced that Nuzleaf had simply transferred its loyalty to Ash and his friends.

As the group continues on their journey, Nuzleaf's protective behavior becomes more extreme. It refuses to let anyone approach Ash or his friends, even if they are friendly or harmless. This behavior becomes a problem when they encounter an old woman who asks for their help. Nuzleaf is fiercely protective of Ash and will not let the woman come near them. However, the woman reveals that she had once been a member of the band of thieves that had inhabited the mansion, and that she had left behind an item that was important to her during her time there. She offers to give it to them if they promise to return it to her.

Ash and his friends agree but Nuzleaf remains hostile towards the woman. They eventually find the item and return it to the woman, who thanks them and gives them a hint about the location of a rare Pokémon. As they continue on their journey, Nuzleaf's behavior begins to soften. It starts to trust Ash and his friends and even helps them in battle. As they make their way to the Hoenn League, they encounter new friends and Pokémon, and Nuzleaf becomes an important member of their team.

Turning Over a Nuzleaf is an emotional episode that explores themes of loyalty, friendship, and sacrifice. As Ash and his friends journey through the Hoenn region, they encounter many challenges but find that their bond only grows stronger with each obstacle they overcome. Nuzleaf's story is a reminder that even the smallest and most misunderstood of Pokémon can be a valued member of a team, and that loyalty and trust are the foundations of any good relationship.