Ep 38. Going Apricorn

Ash, Misty, and Brock journey to Azalea Town in search of the famous Apricorns that are used to make Poke Balls. Along the way, they meet Casey, a trainer who is determined to become a baseball-style Pokemon trainer. She joins Ash and the gang as they venture into the Azalea Gym to challenge the Gym Leader, Bugsy.

However, it turns out that the Gym is closed due to some mysterious activity in the nearby Ilex Forest. Our heroes decide to investigate and find a group of Team Rocket members stealing Apricorns from a local farmer. In the ensuing confrontation, Ash and his friends manage to foil Team Rocket's plans, but one of them sneaks away with an Apricorn.

Bugsy, the Gym Leader, arrives on the scene and reveals that he has been keeping a close eye on Team Rocket's activities. He also explains that the Apricorns are a valuable resource to the town and its economy, and that he himself is an Apricorn enthusiast.

Bugsy offers to take Ash and company on a tour of the town's Apricorn trees and teach them about the unique qualities of each type. The group learns about the different types of Poke Balls that can be made from the Apricorns, such as the Fast Ball or the Heavy Ball, each with its own unique properties.

As they continue their tour, they come across a group of locals who have come to ask Bugsy for help with a recurring problem: a group of strong Pokemon have been attacking their Apricorn trees and stealing the valuable fruit. Bugsy agrees to investigate and takes Ash and his friends with him.

They soon discover that the Pokemon are being controlled by a mysterious young woman named Kurt. She claims that she is trying to protect the trees from being over-harvested by humans, but Bugsy is skeptical. In a tense confrontation, Kurt challenges Ash to a battle with her powerful Scyther.

Despite the odds, Ash and his trusty Pikachu manage to come out on top and defeat Scyther. In the aftermath, Kurt sees that Ash and his team truly care about the Pokemon and the environment, and she decides to stop her attacks and work with the locals to find a more sustainable solution.

With the situation resolved, Ash and his friends say goodbye to Casey and Bugsy and continue on their journey. But they leave Azalea Town with a newfound respect for the delicate balance between humans and nature in the Pokemon world, and a deeper appreciation for the humble Apricorns that make it all possible.