GS128: Enlighten Up!

Enlighten Up! (Japanese: ヤドンのさとり！サトシのさとり！, Hepburn: Slowpoke's Enlightenment! Ash's Enlightenment!) is the 35th episode of Pokémon: Master Quest.

Synopsis

Still on the road to Blackthorn City, Ash and co. encounter Team Rocket again. Just as they were about to battle a Slowpoke with a yellow flag comes in and sits on a rock. Then a young nun comes in and tells both sides that they're trespassing on Slowpoke's favorite spot. But she forgives them saying there was no harm done and she introduces herself as Madeleine. She is a student who studies a Slowpoke-based religion on seeking enlightenment and always the one to try something new, Ash and co. decide to try it. Will they be able to find inner peace, and why is Delibird here?

Episode Plot

The heroes came to a beautiful lake. Brock reads its name is Lake Slowpoke, known also as Lake Enlightment. Ash does not know what that word means, so Brock explains it is like solving a riddle that reveals the truth. The heroes are a bit confused about that. Suddenly, Team Rocket appears out of the ground (since they buried themselves). The heroes are surpsied to see them this early, so Team Rocket announces they will dig themselves in and when Pikachu is around, they will come out. Brock thinks they should dig a hole and stay in it. So, Team Rocket and Ash are about to battle. However, a Slowpoke appears, with a flag. It comes to a spot, puts its tail in the water and does not move.

A woman appears, telling they are trespassing, since this is Slowpoke's favorite spot, despite being nothing unusual about it. The woman is Madeline from the Slowpoke Temple, where attendants ponder the meaning of existance, just like the Slowpoke does. The heroes think it is just a Slowpoke, but Madeline responds it is thinking why it is a Slowpoke. Madeleine asks Ash who is he really and what is his essence. Ash responds with his name, but is uncertain of his existance. Madeline explains that Slowpoke's name was given by humans, but who is it really. Ash and Misty know their names and Team Rocket knows their names, while Brock tries to flirt with Madeline.

Madeline tells them she is seeking enlightment for 10 years, shocking the heroes. Madeline knows that is not easily granted, so invites them all to the temple, at least for lunch, tempting Team Rocket for that. Madeline takes them to the temple and explains that a priest meditated here, and in his honor, the temple was built. She presents a huge golden Slowpoke, shocking Team Rocket. The heroes and Team Rocket have lunch, then notice kids studying here. Madeline remembers there was a person named Gary Oak, who came here to study. Ash is angered and takes the challenge training Gary took. Team Rocket thinks they should get the statue to get in the boss' good graces, so decide to accept these challenges. Misty doubts them they want to learn, but Team Rocket is saddened they cannot learn the truth. Madeline responds being of whatever alignment must not affect the will to learn.

Madeline takes them to a meditation room. One man is bothered and gets hit by a plank, but does not show any reaction. Madeline tells the goal is to master the thoughts. The heroes and Team Rocket try to think of nothing. Ash already dreams of winning the League, but gets restrained. Misty thinks of catching a Legendary Water Pokémon, while Brock of meeting girls, but both get restrained. So does Team Rocket, though they argue with the man. Ash sees that was difficult, so Madeline moves to next step. She tells they need to scrub and wax the whole hallway. Misty, Brock, Jessie and James are baffled, as the hallway is too large. However, Ash already starts, so the others start as well. They even have a race, with Ash managing to outmanuver Team Rocket and win it. Team Rocket is annoyed, but Madeline admits it was entertaining. However, she points out that they left out too many spots and need to do it again.

Later, everything is clean, so James reminds Jessie and Meowth they need to take the golden statue. The heroes see the next phase is fishing. Team Rocket responds they are too tired to do any more training. However, Misty considers herself youthful, enragring Jessie. The heroes go to fishing, leaving Jessie and James with a smirk. Jessie already knows how to carry the golden Slowpoke away. The heroes and Meowth see Slowpoke has not moved and catches a Goldeen with its tail. They see it also got a Lanturn and a Magikarp. Madeline reminds them the goal is to fish, so Misty goes to get a Water Pokémon. They fish, but do not catch anything. Suddenly, Slowpoke catches a Gyarados, making Misty very sad, as this is her speciality and did not catch even a cold.

Misty tosses Meowth into the lake, ordering it to learn why they can't catch Pokémon. Meowth thinks she is a bigger nut than Jessie is. Later, Meowth learned that the Pokémon are aware they will be caught by the hooks. He continues that Slowpoke does not want to catch Water Pokémon, simply wanting to learn. The heroes see this is about the idle mind. Suddenly, Slowpoke catches a Shellder. Madeline points out Shellder represents the hope they have not tried about. By mastering one's mind, Slowpoke was able to catch it. Suddenly, Jessie and James use a bike to move the statue out of the temple. They encounter the twpers, who move away. Madline and Slowpoke stay, the latter evolving into a Slowbro. It uses Confusion, forcing Jessie and James away from the bike, then placing the statue back where it was.

The heroes are pleased, but Brock wonders what if Slowpoke evolved a moment later. Madeline tells that it mastered the thoughts and she believed in Slowpoke's evolution. She knows the heroes turst their Pokémon, even if they are not enlightened. She tells them true enlightment is knowing you can be better today than yesterday. With more frinds, one can move forward. She has the same opportunity with Slowpoke and advises the heroes to do the same, which they accept. The heroes are still furious on Team Rocket, soM adeline thinks training will serve them. The heroes wave goodbye to Madeline. Meanwhile, Team Rocket are int he temple to hide away from Delibird. However, Madeline and the temple staff hit them with planks, to remind them to have idle minds.

Debuts

Character

Madeleine

Trivia

• Buddhism was the inspiration for Slowpoke religion.
  • Even though there are no nuns in Buddhism, Madeleine was still a nun as a religious symbol.
• The "Who's that Pokémon?" is Noctowl.

Mistakes

Brock said Flint City was his hometown, though it was Pewter City.

Gallery

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