The Fourth Round Rumble

Plot
Ash, Pikachu, Misty, and Brock watch Gary's fourth round match on the Rock Field, and are shocked when Gary is abruptly defeated. This leaves Ash worried about his own chances during the fourth round, though Brock and Misty cheer him on. He later learns from Professor Oak that all of Pallet Town is cheering him on, which only makes him more nervous. Meanwhile, Team Rocket opens up a souvenir stand with the intent of luring in and stealing Pokémon from Trainers.

At the Grass Field, Ash starts his next match with Jeanette Fisher. He sends out Bulbasaur, and Jeanette uses Beedrill. The Bug-type Pokémon is about to hit Bulbasaur with Poison Sting, but Bulbasaur dodges it. Bulbasaur uses Razor Leaf, but Beedrill counters with Twineedle. Bulbasaur dodges the attack again. Ash then has Bulbasaur use Leech Seed, which instantly drains Beedrill's energy, before having Bulbasaur finish it off with Tackle. Jeanette then sends out her next Pokémon, Scyther. Bulbasaur launches a Razor Leaf at it, but Scyther uses Double Team to evade. Scyther gets in a few hits before Ash gets the idea to use Vine Whip on all the duplicates, so Bulbasaur will eventually hit the real one. The plan works, and Scyther is knocked out.

Unwavering, Jeanette calls on her last Pokémon, a Bellsprout. Ash laughs and calls it weak as the Flower Pokémon wiggles its body in an odd manner. Bulbasaur uses Tackle, but Bellsprout evades the attack with ease. It then picks up Bulbasaur, repeatedly slams him into the ground, and knocks Bulbasaur out, shocking Ash. Brock realizes that Jeanette's Bellsprout must be exceptionally trained, or else it would not be used in a League battle. Ash sends out Pikachu, and he uses Thunder Shock, but Bellsprout dodges the attack and uses Razor Leaf. Pikachu dodges it and tries to use Thunderbolt, but Bellsprout's roots keep him ingrained and immune to Electric attacks. Pikachu tries to punch and box-kick Bellsprout, but it slams him again and defeats him.

Down to his last Pokémon, Ash pauses for a second and then sends out his Muk, surprising his friends. Muk is able to absorb Bellsprout's Slam and Razor Leaf attacks with ease, then uses a Body Slam. Its powerful stench and weight smothers Bellsprout, and it soon faints. Ash wins the battle, and has now cleared all four preliminary fields to advance through to the next round of competition.

Major Events

 * Gary is revealed to have made it to the fourth round of the Indigo Plateau Conference.
 * Gary loses his fourth round battle against Melissa, placing him in the Top 32.
 * Gary heads back to Pallet Town.
 * Ash uses his Muk in battle for the first time.
 * Ash's Muk is revealed to know Body Slam.
 * Ash wins his fourth and final preliminary round match against Jeanette Fisher and advances to the fifth round, securing him a place in the Indigo Stadium.