Ep 43. Great Bowls of Fire

Ash and his friends have arrived at the prestigious Rikishii Town, which is famous for its annual Chrysanthemum Festival. The festival features a variety of activities, including a Pokemon battle tournament. Ash, excited about the prospect of testing his skills against other trainers, decides to enter the tournament with his trusty Pikachu.

While exploring the town, Ash and his friends come across a local legend about a powerful Pokemon known as the "King of the Forbidden Forest." The legend states that the King of the Forbidden Forest is a giant Charizard who resides in a nearby forest and is said to be unbeatable in battle. Ash, naturally intrigued by the legend, decides to investigate the forest and see if the legend is true.

When Ash and his friends arrive at the forest, they are surprised to find that it is on fire. A group of trainers who were trying to capture the King of the Forbidden Forest accidentally started the fire during their battle. Ash and his friends spring into action and work together to put out the flames before they spread and cause more damage.

After the fire is extinguished, Ash and his friends come across the King of the Forbidden Forest, who turns out to be a giant, powerful Charizard. Ash challenges Charizard to a battle, hoping to prove himself as a skilled trainer. Charizard initially refuses to battle, claiming that battling is not what it wants to do. However, Ash is persistent and eventually convinces Charizard to engage in battle.

The battle between Ash's Pikachu and Charizard is intense, with both Pokemon putting up a good fight. Eventually, Pikachu emerges as the winner, but Charizard seems relieved and happy to have been able to battle against such a worthy opponent. Ash and his friends bid farewell to Charizard and continue on their journey, reflecting on the lessons they learned about the importance of respecting Pokemon and their wishes.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket has also arrived in Rikishii Town and have their sights set on stealing the Chrysanthemum Festival's famous stew. They disguise themselves as chefs and enter a cooking competition in order to get close to the stew. However, their plan backfires when their spicy dish causes chaos and destruction, leading to their eventual capture by Officer Jenny.

The episode ends with Ash and his friends enjoying the Chrysanthemum Festival, where they sample various dishes, participate in traditional ceremonies, and enjoy the company of the local Pokemon. Ash learns that being a skilled trainer isn't just about winning battles, but also about understanding and respecting the Pokemon you are battling with.