Pokemon XY Episode 5 Recap

Okay guys so I have made the decision to only recap the most important XY episodes up until our current episode, then I will recap every episode week by week as it airs. So today I will be recapping both episode 5 and 6 as this is where Ash earns his first Kalos gym badge!

Pokemon XY Episode 5
A Blustery Santalune Gym Battle!

We begin with Serena and Fennekin enjoying the morning sunshine while eating breakfast at the Pokemon Centre. Serena is nearly at Santalune City and is so excited because she will finally get to see him! By him, she means Ash. But why does Serena want to see Ash so badly?

Meanwhile, our trio have finally arrived in Santalune City, Clemont trailing behind and out of breath as usual. You would think with all the running Ash and Bonnie do he would've built up some endurance by now. But nope, still not an athlete. However he is seemingly more thoughtful than Ash as he asks if Ash knows where the Santalune Gym is. Ash replies with "Nope! Not a clue!". Nice one Ash, nice one. While posing in front of a water fountain with his level 1000 Pikachu, explaining how he figures things out best when running (I don't know if I can agree with him on that one), a lovely young lady points him in the direction of the gym and our trio are off again!

Arriving at the Santalune Gym, our trio meet up with Ash's Pokemon journalist pal Alexa and her sister, the Santalune gym leader Viola. Of course, Viola was the young lady who gave them directions to the gym (and cue shocked faces all around). Wow, I never saw that coming!

Inside the gym, they discover that Viola is a photographer. She is very talented at capturing bug Pokemon you know. This is when Bonnie pulls a Brock, gets down on one knee and asks Viola to be Clemont's wife! Oh the feels. We miss you Brock. But Bonnie is pretty damn hilarious.

And now the gym battle between Ash and Viola begins! Viola sends out her first Pokemon; a Surskit. One of my favourites! Woo! Ash sends out his trusty pal, level 1000 Pikachu who has a huge advantage over Surskit who is a bug/water type. Things heat up quickly with Pikachu beginning with a quick attack. Surskit counters with protect then dodges Pikachu's irontail. An electroball from Pikachu and an icebeam from Surskit collide mid air in a huge explosion. Clemont and Bonnie look on with gaping mouths. Viola then shows her creativity by getting Surskit to use icebeam on the battlefield, turning it into ice. Of course Pikachu falls over and Ash tells Pikachu to "get up quick!". Ice is slippery you know Ash? I'd like to see you stand up there without falling over.

Surskit clearly has the advantage here and dances around Pikachu with incredible speed. Pikachu manages to land an irontail, followed by a thunderbolt which is stopped midair by Surskits icebeam. With Pikachu down on the ice, Surskit unleashes a signal beam and our level 1000 Pikachu is down and out. Poor Pikachu.

Ash's chooses to send out his newly captured Fletchling when who should appear? Why it's Serena of course! She seems totally excited to see Ash and joins our friends to watch the battle. Fletchling begins this round off with a peck only to be dodged by our super speed Surskit. Fletchling is super speedy itself and dodges Surskit's return icebeam. Fletchling continues to impress us with it's speed by dodging Surskit's sticky web with a double team. But wait, I feel like Viola is planning something sneaky with that attack. A well aimed razor wind by Fletchling makes for a direct hit and now Viola's Surskit is down.

Viola sends out her last Pokemon; our beautiful bug type Vivillon. Vivillon appears with some crazy music playing in the background that makes me think aliens are invading Earth.

Who's that Pokemon?!

It's Vivillon!

Now that we've ascertained aliens are not in fact invading Earth, Fletchling begins this round off with a peck, only to be stopped by Vivillon's psychic. Vivillon follows with a gust and Fletchling is blown into, wait for it, none other than the sticky web! I knew Viola was planning something sneaky. With Fletchling stuck in the web, Vivillon releases an almighty solar beam and our poor little fire birdy loses it's first battle. Viola is the victor.

Our trio take Pikachu and Fletchling to the Pokemon Centre, running straight past Serena without a second glance. Poor Serena. She does notice that Ash has left his backpack behind and returns it after finding him at the Pokemon Centre. After introductions are made, we are about to find our how Serena knows Ash when, we are interrupted by our now fully healed Fletchling and Pikachu. Serena brings out her Fennekin and Bonnie is once amazed by the cuteness of these Kalos Pokemon.

Episode 5 ends with the appearance of Alexa who decides to help Ash do some special training in order to combat Vivillon's gust. Can he do it? Can Ash win his first Kalos gym badge in a rematch against Viola? I guess we'll find out, as the journey continues...

Casey

Quest for Lugia EX FA - Opening an Ancient Origins Salamence Promo Pack

Hi Trainers!

I was up early for a Monday morning and while I was out, I decided to buy an Ancient Origins Salamence Promo pack which looks like this:

You can also buy this pack with the Malamar Promo card as well but Salamence is my buddy so I chose him. As you can see, this pack contains the really cool Salamence Holo Promo Card, 3 Ancient Origins Booster Packs and a Fennekin coin. I'm still on the hunt for my Lugia EX Full Art so I'm really hoping to pull it from these packs. Eeeeek! I'm so excited! Can we do it?! Let's find out...

So unfortunately I didn't get my Lugia EX Full Art, but that's okay because I got a Mega Ampharos EX which is totally cool. Still wanting the Mega Ampharos EX in and the normal Ampharos EX in the full art so hopefully we come across those in our quest to find my Lugia.

That's it for today guys. Fingers crossed next week is the week I finally meet my Lugia EX Full Art. I hope you're all getting great pulls from this amazing expansion.

Casey

Pokemon XY Episode 4 Recap

A Shockingly Cheeky Friendship!

And we're back with Serena trying to decide between Fennekin, Chespin and Froakie. She receives her Pokedex from Professor Sycamore and uses it to learn a little but about each but she already knows which Pokemon she is going to choose. We actually already knew that as well but that's okay! Serena chooses her cutie pie fire fox Fennekin. I'm still totally on the Froakie bandwagon but you gotta admit that fox is damn cute.

We now join our trio who are still on their journey to Santalune City so Ash can win his first Kalos gym badge. It looks like our cheeky little Dedenne from last episode continues to follow them. What are you up to Dedenne? Oh, you're stealing everyone's Pokemon food. That's very hypocritical of you since you got upset when Fletchling took your berry last time. Bad Dedenne. Our trio chase after cheeky little Dedenne which results in Bonnie playing a game of whack-a-Dedenne in attempt to catch it. Everyone then decides to join in Bonnie's game of whack-a-Dedenne with Pikachu successfully snagging our little electric friend. A rolling fight ensues and they both end up separated from the group.

And here comes Team Rocket with a nifty little gadget that is not a Pokedex but a compter-esc device that gives them information about Pokemon.

On the way back to finding the group, Dedenne's tummy grumbles loudly and Pikachu thundershocks a berry down from a tree. Dedenne seems shocked (yes I just did that, again) by this show of affection from our little buddy Pikachu and it's eyes shine bright at the site of the berry. Oh how cute it is when it's eyes glow like that! Of course their blossoming Pokeship (Pokemon friendship, it's a new word) is interrupted by Team Rocket. Pikachu and Dedenne make a run for it with Team Rocket close on their heals and beginning to tire. Team Rocket will never be Olympic athletes either. Pikachu and Dedenne are ahead in this race so far, climbing up a rocky ledge when Dedenne is knocked down by Jessie's weird electronic net contraption. Quick thinking by Pikachu by biting (yes, biting) Dedenne's tail saves it from a nasty fall into Team Rockets evil clutches. And Dedenne once again is shocked by Pikachu's affectionate and caring nature and does the little shiny eyes!! I want a Dedenne. Now.

James proceeds to use his newly (and easily) captured Inkay to tackle Dedenne and psybeam them into the river below. James also seems to have an electronic cube that turns into a rubber rocket raft. Of course you do James. Of course you do. But this rubber rocket raft doesn't help them when they float past Pikachu, hit a rock and blast off. Can't say I didn't see that coming.

Pikachu and Dedenne make it safely ashore and are spotted above by our new pal Fletchling, reuniting our beloved Pikachu with his beloved 10 yea old. But wait, Dedenne is injured.

Who's that Pokemon?!

It's Dedenne!

Ash and Bonnie want to take Dedenne to a Pokemon Centre, but Clemont thinks they should treat Dedenne there, with electricity. Clemont them goes all "the future is now thanks to science, Clemontic gear on" and presents his electricity generator, while Bonnie speaks for everyone when she says "Another boring name". Touche Bonnie. Clemont's electricity generator actually works and Dedenne is restored to full health! But, being the amazing inventor Clemont is, didn't create an off button. The generator proceeds to explode and leave them all with funky afros once again.

Dedenne is now in love with Clemont and Bonnie. Clemont is about to catch Dedenne when Team Rocket reappear. Wait, how can they just reappear if they've blasted off already? That's not how this is mean to work. Dedenne proceeds to battle Team Rocket with Clemont. Pikachu doesn't want to be left of this party so he joins in with a thunderbolt and Team Rocket blast off for the second time this episode.

According to Pikachu (because, you know, electric Poke communication), Dedenne really wants to travel with Clemont and Bonnie. Clemont throws a Pokeball, 3 shakes and BAM! Dedenne is caught! Bonnie proceeds to clean Dedenne after getting all dirty in it's battle against Team Rocket. Dedenne falls asleep and Bonnie places it in her little yellow bag which will now become Dedenne's new home. I really do like Bonnie's character. She's bringing so much humour to this season!

So our trio continue to head towards Santalune city while Serena and Fennekin fight off a Vespiquen and race to the next Pokemon Centre. I wonder if Serena will catch up to Ash next episode. I guess we will find out, as the journey continues...

Casey

Pokemon XY Episode 3 Recap

A Battle of Aerial Mobility!

Episode 3 begins with Serena trying to make one of the most difficult decisions a girl can make; which hat does she wear?! Definitely the pink one Serena. Always choose the pink one. Serena seems super duper excited today because guess what? She's going to Lumiose City to see Professor Sycamore for her very first Pokemon! And to be honest, I am super duper excited to see who she chooses.

We then find our newly formed trio making their way to the Pokemon Centre so Ash can register for the Kalos league. We meet the Kalos version of Nurse Joy for the first time; her hairs a little rounder and she's has a new outfit. I actually quite like this redesign of our favourite Pokemon Nurse. In order to register for the Kalos league, Ash needs to place his Pokedex on some fancy computer screen in the desk and ta-da! Ash is now registered. Is it just me or does the Pokemon world seem have some awesome high tech gadgets going around? Nurse Joy then informs Ash that he gets a free badge case, bought out by, wait, is it a Chansey? Is it a Audino? No it's a Wigglytuff!! Awesome to see a first generation Pokemon as Nurse Joy's loyal Pokemon healing sidekick.

Ah, Team Rocket. Still thinking that they are awesome villains who have the ability to successfully steal everyone's Pokemon. At least they make you laugh ey? They are skyping Giovanni (skype totally exists in the Pokemon world right?) and jumping for joy because they are the first Team Rocket members to set up base in Kalos. Good for you Team Rocket. Good for you.

Ash, Clemont and Bonnie all make the decision to travel together to Santalune City so Ash can earn his first gym badge. A few minutes into their journey, our trio come across a new Pokemon! Woh! Who is this new Pokemon? Well it's a Dedenne of course! Nawww, just look at those little whiskers. I'm with Bonnie on this one, it's SO CUTE!! Bonnie wants Clemont to catch Dedenne for her so she can look after it until she's old enough to become a trainer herself. Fair enough Bonnie. However this plan comes to a halt when a Fletchling decides to steal Dedenne's berry (how could you Fletchling, how could you?!) and impresses Ash with it's speed. So what does Ash decide to do? Try and catch it of course!

Who's that Pokemon?!

It's Fletchling!

So the battle to catch Fletchling ensues! Of course Ash wants to use Pikachu as it has the advantage over Fletchling, however Froakie has other plans. Not obeying orders, Froakie seems to begin a battle all on it's own, ultimately leading to a direct hit from Fletchling. Froakie doesn't seemed phased by this and jumps straight back up to continue the battle. Ash seems to see something that we don't, has a light bulb moment and apparently understands why Froakie had run away from it's previous trainers. Can you clue us in here Ash?

Apparently we're not important enough to know this information yet as we are back yet again, with Team Rocket. They have somehow managed to find their Meowth balloon. How that thing is still going strong after 17 seasons is beyond me. Our little croissant stealing Inkay appears and gives them all a face full of squid ink, much to their surprise. 

And we're back to the battle between Froakie and Fletchling where Ash and Froakie take a hit from little Fletchling. Ash tells Froakie he understands that it wanted to get even with Fletchling for making Bonnie sad (that was the big light bulb moment Ash?! We could all see that from a mile away). Ash then decides he needs to find a way to lure Fletchling in, and this where Clemont gets all "the future is now thanks to science, Clemontic gear on!" and presents his flying type Pokemon attractor machine and Ash is all like "Science is so amazing!". Bonnie takes the words right out of my mouth again! "The name could use a little work". Amen Bonnie. Amen. 

Clemont begins to use his flying type Pokemon attractor machine but wait. It's not attracting Fletchling, it's attracting Beedrill! Our newly formed trio make a run for it while Clemont doesn't listen to his intelligent younger sister when she says to turn it off. It ends up exploding and giving them all funky little afros. 

Back in team Rockets balloon, James proceeds to catch Inkay after giving it sandwiches as bait. That has got to be the easiest capture I have seen in my life. James seems stoked by his new capture. Jessie and Meowth not so much.

And we're back to the battle between Froakie and Fletchling. Froakie has decided that he is now going to listen to Ash. Ash uses a new rocky battlefield to their advantage by having Froakie use the ledges to jump above Fletchling. A decoy Froakie made out of frubbles (ha! Ash and Froakie get the award for most creative battle move ever!) allows Fletchling to take a direct hit from bubble and Ash throws his Pokeball. One shake, and Fletchling breaks free! Aww! It appeared to be caught! But that's okay because a direct hit from a water pulse leaves Fletchling down and out. Ash throws another Pokeball! 3 shakes, yes, BOOM! Fletchling is caught!

With a newly caught Fletchling on the team, episode 3 concludes with our trio continuing their journey to Santalune City while Serena is in the midst of choosing her first Pokemon. So who's it going to be? I'm sure we'll find out, as the journey continues...

Casey

Pokemon XY Episode 2 Recap

Lumiose City Pursuit!

We open the episode with Serena trying to, you guessed it, ride a Rhyhorn! She is clearly not doing very well and her mother seems very concerned that she might bite her tongue off if she doesn't stop screaming and close her mouth. After being thrown off her Rhyhorn (I somehow knew that was going to end badly), she tells her mother that she hates it! Oh I'm sorry Serena. Even though you were screaming and apparently nearly bit your tongue off, I still thought you seemed to be having the time of your life. Clearly I was mistaken.

We then find ourselves following Ash, Clemont and Bonnie as they race towards Professor Sycamores lab with our random little Froakie who was badly injured by Team Rocket. Clemont clearly will never become an Olympic athlete as he struggles breathlessly behind Ash and Bonnie. We're not even 2 minutes into this episode when, cue shocking music, Team Rocket appear and are already planning to steal Pokemon from Professor Sycamores lab! After 17 seasons they still haven't learnt...

Ash and Bonnie arrive at the lab and we meet none other than Professor Sycamore himself! His assistant Sophie takes Froakie as we learn that Froakie's trainer has given him up. Poor Froakie! How could anyone want to give you up after that awesome display of Frubbles! Team Froakie all the way! Ah yes, then Clemont arrives and collapses on the floor, totally exhausted from the trip to the lab. Definitely not an athlete, much to the dismay of his little sister Bonnie.

After learning that Froakie has had many Pokemon trainers, all of which have returned it for not listening in battle, our newly formed trio meet Professor Sycamores Garchomp. This leads into a conversation about Professor Sycamore's research on evolution and the possibility of, drum roll please, Mega Evolution!! Eeeek! Fan girl moment! Does this mean that Ash might end up Mega Evolving one of his Pokemon?! Mega Sceptile all the way! Woo!

Of course Team Rocket over hear this conversation and enter the lab in one of their poorly designed disguises. Like really guys? At least change the hair. Our random little Froakie, being the amazing Pokemon he is, recognises that they're not Mega Evolution researchers but Team Rocket! Team Rocket seem to have made a cube, that turns into a collar, that attaches to a Pokemon, that essentially controls them. Where do they keep getting all the funding for these random gadgets? After they reveal themselves to the rest of the crew, Bonnie takes the words right out of my mouth; "You are such annoying bad people!" Bonnie, you've dealt with them twice, I've been dealing with them for 17 seasons. Team Rocket's plan clearly backfires (surprise surprise) as Garchomp blasts them off through the roof. However their collar has clearly caused Garchomp to lose control and is now out in Lumiose City like, bashing up cars and stuff.

Who's that Pokemon?! It's Froakie!

Garchomp proceeds to fly to Prsim Tower and unleash random hyperbeams! Serena and her mother are watching the Godzillaresk scenes unfold on TV. Ash, being the hero that he is, wants to get close to Garchomp and get that collar off, so Clemont takes him to a secret stairwell that leads up Prism Tower. Clemont is all like "The future is now thanks to science. Aipom arm go!" to unlock the secret staircase, and Ash is all like "Wow! Science is so amazing!". You say that now Ash, you say that now. At the top of Prism Tower, Ash attempts to talk Garchomp out of it's collar induced rage, but Garchomp nearly falls off of the building! A quick thinking Froakie uses his Frubbles to stick Garchomp's feet to the ground. Have I told you how much I love Froakie?

Pikachu's irontail successfully destroys the collar and Garchomp is back to normal. Hooray! Until the ledge of Prism Tower breaks underneath our beloved Pikachu and he begins falling to he ground. But wait! Ash's quick thinking of "I'm gunna jump off the ledge and grab Pikachu even though I haven't thought this through and have nowhere to land" luckily ends well as they are both saved by Mega Blaziken! But who does this Mega Blaziken belong to? A mystery yet to be solved.

We leave this episode with Serena possibly knowing Ash, Ash receiving a Kalos Pokedex from Professor Sycamore and Froakie joining our beloved 10 year old for his Kalos journey!

What adventures lay ahead for our trio? Well, I'm sure we'll find out in episode 3, as the journey continues....

Casey

Pokemon TCG - XY Breakthrough

Hi Trainers!

I have some exciting news that may or may not be new to some of you, but there is a new Pokemon TCG expansion coming in November! This expansion will be called XY - Breakthrough based off the Japanese sets Blue Shock and Red Flash. There's not much information out there about this expansion yet however it will apparently contain Mewtwo as an EX. The English release date is currently set as November 4th this year and Toywiz already has the booster box up for preorder.

So let me know what you guys think. Are you excited for this new expansion? What other Pokemon do you think will feature in this set? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Casey

Pokemon XY Episode 1 Recap

Hi Trainers,

So today I felt like doing something a bit different and wanted to start doing some reviews and recaps of the Pokemon XY anime series, beginning of course, with episode 1!

Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!

So this is the first episode of the XY series! So exciting to see the characters from the X and Y games translated into TV characters. The episode opens up with none other than a Fletchling perched on a windowsill. Apparently it's Fletchings job to wake up Serena, which her mother has already tried  to do once (she obviously doesn't realise that it takes at least 3 tries to get a 10 year old out of bed), but of course Serena is still snoozing away. Fletchling is much more successful than her mother and Serena is woken with what I assume to be, a peck on the head. Success! Serena is finally up and ready for training much to the delight of her mother. What sort of training you may ask? Well it has got be Rhyhorn Race training, which Serena does not seem too pleased about. However with a look outside and a hello to Rhyhorn, the prospect of jumping on a Rhyhorn and trying to stay on while it's speeding along (I don't know how fast Rhyhorn's run but I'm assuming they're super speedy if you ride them in races), no longer seems to phase her.

We then pan out to have a little look at this new Kalos region, with Mr Pokemon voice over guy telling us that Pokemon and humans reflect each others thoughts and feelings and that a certain young man is about to arrive. Ooooo so exciting! I wonder who this young man might be?! Could it be Gary Oak? No. Could it be our beloved Brock? No. It's none other than our still 10 year old Ash Ketchum and his level 1000 Pikachu! 

Ash, Pikachu and his journalist pal Alexa arrive in Kalos by plane. Ash is so exicted to be in Kalos, that he stands on the top of the steps of the plane and shouts "Hellllloooooo!!" He can't wait to get down the steps because he'll finally be here! In Kalos. Wait what? Ash I think you are in Kalos already. You landed. In a plane. In Kalos.

We then find that Team Rocket appear, as always, with the plan to catch Ash's Pikachu, which they have never succeeded in doing, yet they keep attempting. Okay now back to Ash.

On the way to the lobby to meet Alexa (who is calling her sister to organise a gym battle for Ash), Ash and Pikachu see a strange shadow of a Pokemon on the roof. This shadow is of course a Mega Blaziken! We don't get to see much as it runs off straight away but Ash and Pikachu are really excited! Inside the lobby, Ash finds out that Alexa's sister isn;t at her gym right now and won't he won't be able to have a battle. But that's okay! Ash is so pumped up he's going to go challenge the Lumiose City gym instead!

Ash arrives at Prism Tower in an attempt to challenge the Lumiose City Gym. Walking through the gym, it looks like an electric type, due to all the, you know, electricity and stuff. However Ash is shocked to find out (see what I did there?) that you need to have accumulated at least 4 Kalos region gym badges to challenge this gym. He and Pikachu are shafted out of the gym but are saved from landing on cold hard ground by Clemont and Bonnie. Bonnie is shocked to find out that Pikachu didn't want a hug (ha! I'm on a roll!), introductions are made and it looks like Ash has found new travel buddies.

Who's that Pokemon?! It's Spritzee!

Now, because Ash can't have a gym battle, he wants to battle Clemont. I'm excited to see how this first battle of Kalos pans out. Here we go!

Clemont sends out Bunnelby and Ash sends out, none other than his level 1000 Pikachu! Pikachu begins with a thunderbolt which Bunnelby blocks by using it's ears to stir up the sand. 10 points to Clemont for turning sand into a defense mechanism! Ash and Pikachu are surprised by Clemont's sand wall thunderbolt blocking skills. Woh.... Bunnelby then proceeds to use dig, with Ash and Pikachu attempting to use speed to confuse them. Clemont and Bunnelby seem to be prepared for this and Bunnelby's dig is a direct hit. Pikachu comes back with a quick attack and Bunnelby hits back with a double slap. Pikachu then proceeds to use irontail but of course Bunnelby catches it with it's ears. 10 more points to Clemont for innovation! Ash then one up's Clemont by stating that now Bunnelby can't use it's ears, it can't move. Pikachu unleashes a mighty electroball! 20 points to Ash for thinking on his feet! Of course this battle is then interrupted by the one and only Team Rocket! Ba Ba Ba!

"Prepare for trouble..." Okay, okay. You all probably know those words of by heart.

Team Rocket attempt to catch Ash's Pikachu once again, but Pikachu is saved by a random little Froakie and it's Frubbles. I'm totally jumping on the team Froakie bandwagon. 

With Team Rocket blasting off and Froakie badly hurt, the episode leaves us with the new trio making their way to Professor Sycamore's Lab. Will Froakie be okay? We will find out next episode, when, you know the words, "the journey continues..."

Casey