#78 "A Friend In Deed"

    Ash-tachi ('tachi' now includes Oak and Ash's mother ^_^.) meet a nice boy named Richie when they get stuck in a lift together, and Richie fixes the wiring, sending it working again. (Smart for a kid, I'm amazed he didn't electrocute himself.) Turns out this guy is in the Pokémon League too. Out on the streets afterwards, a car drives along with two people announcing to all trainers that they need to send in their Pokeballs for inspection if they are to continue competition in the League. Ash goes, and meets Richie there. The two hand in their Pokeballs but after the people forcibly take Pikachu also, they realise that these two are Team Rocket!

    The Rockets drive off in their van, and furious, Ash and Richie run after them. The two run for hours, helping each other, and finally rest for the night, staring up at the stars. They have become friends. They continue on in the morning, finding Team Rocket and creeping into the van while the villains sleep. But, they wake up, and lock Ash/Richie into the back with all the Pokeballs, before driving off. Ash paws through various Pokeballs before finding his own, while Richie has his. He sends out Zippo (Charmander) and Sparky (Pikachu). The two use their Pokémon to break through the front of the van, beating the bad guys and saving themselves with their flying Pokémon - Richie's Happy (Butterfree) and Ash's Pidgeotto.

    At the end of the episode, Ash randomly draws his next competitor in the Pokémon League... and it is Richie.