Ep 2. Short and to the Punch!

Ash, Dawn, and Brock continue their journey to the Sinnoh League and arrive in Sonton City, where they learn that the city's gym leader, Rampard, is known for his intense training sessions. Excited to challenge Rampard, Ash and the group head to the gym, but find it strangely empty. Suddenly, Rampard's assistant, Mick, appears and challenges Ash to a battle instead.

Ash accepts the challenge and sends out his Pikachu, while Mick sends out a Machoke. The two Pokemon seem evenly matched, but Pikachu manages to land some hits before Machoke knocks him out with a powerful punch. Ash then sends out Gible, his newest addition to the team, and the two Pokemon engage in a fierce battle. Gible struggles at first, but manages to deliver a devastating attack and defeat Machoke.

Impressed by Gible's strength, Rampard finally appears and introduces himself to the group. He explains that he was out training and leaving his gym in Mick's capable hands. Rampard then challenges Ash to a battle, and the two trainers face off in a three-on-three match.

The first round sees Rampard's powerful Champ against Ash's Turtwig. The two Pokemon exchange blows, but Champ ultimately comes out on top. Ash then sends out Staravia, who manages to take out Champ with a well-timed aerial ace. The final round features Rampard's Machamp against Ash's newly evolved Grotle. The two Pokemon go back and forth, but in the end, Grotle prevails with a powerful energy blast.

After the battle, Rampard congratulates Ash and gives him the Forest Badge, one step closer to the Sinnoh League. Mick then reveals that he has been working on a special training regimen for Rampard's Pokemon, which involves a fighting style that focuses on short, powerful punches. Impressed by this technique, Ash decides to incorporate it into his own training regimen for his Pokemon.

As they leave Sonton City, Ash and the group encounter a mysterious woman named Lila, who seems to have a connection to Team Rocket. The team introduces themselves and continues on their journey, anxious to see what else the Sinnoh region has in store for them.

Overall, "Short and to the Punch!" is a fun-filled episode with plenty of exciting battles and new techniques for Ash and his Pokemon to learn. With the introduction of Rampard and Mick, as well as the mysterious Lila, it sets the stage for even more adventures in the Sinnoh region.