The Big Balloon Blow-Up!/(Transcript)

(Episode begins)
Narrator: Today we find Ash and his friends walking through a beautiful meadow, where they're about to encounter something strange.
Miki: Hey, guys! Look!
(Everyone stops and sees what Miki spotted)
Ash: Hey, what's that thing?
(What they find is a circle with an X in it)
Brock: Looks like a big X.
Ben: Could be an X to mark the spot where a treasure could be buried.
Sucy: Did you say - Treasure?
Misty: What's it doing way out here?
Ash: Maybe it's a no parking zone.
Liam: For aircraft, maybe.
Misty: In a place like this?
Brock: It could be one of those crop circles UFOs make.
(Pikachu spots something above, and everyone sees it coming down)
Ben: Incoming! Gain way!
Dora: Cuidado!
Sucy: Duck!
(Everyone panics, but they find that it was a small something)
Sawako: Is everybody okay?
Ash: What's this thing?!
???: Sorry!
(Everyone looks up an sees a boy in a hot air balloon made to look like a Fearow with an actual Fearow leading it to the ground)
Pikachu: Pika Pika. ("It's a balloon!")
Ash: A Fearow?
Brock: And a Fearow balloon!
Misty: Cool.
???: I'm real sorry. I didn't hurt anybody, did I?
Ash: No, but it was pretty close. My name's Ash.
Misty: Hi, my name's Misty.
Brock: And my name's Brock.
Dora: Hola, soy Dora.
Lilo: Mine name's Lilo.
Stitch: Stitch, my name Stitch.
Liam: I'm Liam Hammerfield.
Ace: I'm Ace.
Sucy: Sucy.
Jenny: And Jenny.
Sucy, Ace, Jenny: We're the Aladdin gang.
Ace: And this is Miki, my totally hot girlfriend.
Miki: Hi.
Yui: My name's Yui and this is my little sister Ui.
???: My name's Skyler.
Ash: What is this thing?
Skyler: Oh, there's no big mystery about this old thing. It's a marker I use for target practice.
Everyone: Target practice?!
Ash: You mean this X is a target?
Sucy: It wasn't treasure?! Aw! My gang would be rich from that treasure.
(Liam's Adventures of Pokémon Johto League Champions theme song plays)
Ash: (V.O.) The Big Balloon Blow-Up
(Our heroes are later at Skyler's house)
Ash: Do you do a lot of hot air balloon flying?
Skyler: Uh huh. I want to be a professional balloon pilot someday. You know, at first, I only used balloons for flying with Spearow and Fearow to help em train and evolve. But pretty soon, I got really interested in hot air ballooning as a career.
Misty: It must be fun.
(Skyler shows our heroes to a hangar)
Skyler: I'm back, papa!
???: Yes, and I see you've got some company with you.
Ash: It's nice to meet you, sir.
???: Well, it's nice to meet you, too, young man. Welcome to my studio. I'm Tenma.
Misty: Are you an architect or a sculptor?
Skyler: (chuckles) He's both.
(Everyone looks on the wall and sees pictures of various hot air balloons)
Skyler: My father designs and builds hot air balloons that look like Pokemon.
Misty: Wow! They're all beautiful!
Ash: This one looks just like a Phanpy.
Ritsu: Hey, that one looks like a Sunflora!
Miki: And that one looks like a Teddiursa.
Jenny: Like the one we saw that tricked us, and stole our food.
Sucy: I hated that Pokémon.
Miki: That was a different Teddiursa.
Skyler: I like balloons as much as Pokemon.
Ash: Yeah, sometimes I wish we had our own balloons so we could get around quicker.
Miki: I've wanted to ride in one of those when I was little.
Skyler: Hey! There's gonna be a big balloon competition tomorrow and there's still time to enter! Why don't you guys sign up?
Ash: Okay, where do we sign up?
Brock: Ash, how are we gonna compete without a balloon?
Ash: Yeah, that's right.
Pikachu: Pika. ("Bummer.")
Tenma: You're in luck. I think there's something in my store room that may interest you.
Ben: Keep in mind that on average, a hot air balloon can hold up to 6 to 8 people at a time.
(A bit later, our heroes marvel at the something Tenma was referring to, a Pikachu hot air balloon. And right next to it, several other hot air balloons, each shaped like a different Pokemon)
Ash: Wow! It's awesome!
Miki: A Pikachu balloon!
Ace: So cool!
Tenma: They're yours to use for the competition.
Pikachu: Pika! ("Alright!")
(Soon, all the balloons take off)
Tenma: Hot air balloon competitions are more than simple races. You see, the object of this competition, is to be the first team to get to the target and throw a marker as close as possible to the center of the X from a height of at least a thousand feet within the given time limit.
(Skyler then demonstrates by throwing his marker down)
Ash: That doesn't look too hard to me.
Ben: That may be, but the simpler something is to pick up, the more difficult it is to master.
Brock: He's right. Besides, we're not too high up, but try it from a thousand feet up and I bet it's not so easy.
Skyler: There's something else about this competition. You get to use your Pokemon to help you make it out to the target.
Ash: Hey! I could use my Noctowl to pull the balloon!
Brock: Crobat could pull us even faster than Noctowl!
Ben: Or Alucard!
Skyler: Yeah, but it's a lot more complicated than that. Sometimes, balloon pilots call it catching the wind.
Ash: What's catching the wind?
Skyler: The Pokémon can only help pull you into the right air currents.
Tenma: And you don't just keep your burner going all the way. You use it when you want to climb, and leave it off when you want to descend.
Skyler: You have to use your burner and your Pokemon together to make sure you're at the right place at the right time. Understand?
Ash: I think I understand you.
Skyler: Fearow, let's show Ash how we find a current and catch the wind!
(Fearow agrees and gains altitude, and in a bit, it catches a current and rides the wind)
Skyler: Yeah! Looks like Fearow found a nice current for us to ride.
Tenma: I'll turn the burner on and see if the balloon can catch it.
(The balloon soon gains altitude)
Tenma: Think we're in for a beautiful ride, son.
Skyler: Grab the line, Fearow!
(Skyler tosses said line and Fearow easily catches it)
Skyler: Alright, now let's fly!
(With Fearow pulling, the balloon flies ahead with the wind)
Ben: Just like Princess Nausicaa, that Fearow knows how to read the wind.
Ash: Okay, now we're gonna catch the wind! Come on out, Noctowl, I choose you!
(Noctowl materializes)
Ash: Here you go, Noctowl, grab the line!
(Ash tosses it out and Noctowl does catch it)
Ash: Good! Now start pulling us up as fast as you can!
(Noctowl does so, but takes the balloon up too high too fast)
Lilo: Ash! Stop this crazy thing!
Tenma: You're going too fast! You'll wear Noctowl out! Just find a current and maneuver your balloon so you can ride it!
Ash: I get it! Noctowl, you gotta slow it down!
(Noctowl does so and the balloon slightly loses altitude, and this earns Ash a sharp blow on the head from Mio for his idiotic antics)
Mio: Ash, are you insane?! What were you thinking?! I almost had a heart attack!
Ash: It's not as easy as it looks. Brock, you better handle the burner.
Brock: Leave it to me, captain!
(Brock activates the burner, allowing the balloon to gain altitude)
Misty: That's more like it. After all, it's a balloon, not a jet plane.
Sucy: Wha!?
Dora: This reminds me of when Boots and I took a balloon ride with our friend Benny the Bull, back at the rainforest.
(Meanwhile, Team Rocket watches from the ground)
James: It looks like the main three twerps are in the Pikachu balloon!
Jessie: I wonder how they managed to get themselves in some hot air balloons. And I also wonder how long it will be until Meowth disturbs us.
Meowth: Hey, I found something! Take a look at dis! (shows them a poster of the competition) Dey're having a big hot air balloon competition, and da foist prize is dis new, super duper, hi-tech balloon engine! If we had dis engine, we could make our getaways so fast, nothing could stop us, not even Pikachu's Thunderbolt!
Jessie: We certainly can't let an opportunity like this pass us by, James.
James: But to get the engine, we'd have to win the contest.
Jessie: And winning isn't our strength.
James: That's true, but if we really tried hard, I'm sure we could steal it!
Jessie: That sounds like a winning solution to me.
Mewoth: We ain't stealing it! We're gonna enter dat competition and win it, fair and square!
Jessie: Just relax and open wide.
James: (grabs Meowth) You must have a fever, because you're obviously delirious!
(Jessie puts a thermometer into Meowth's mouth)
Jessie: Let me take your temperature.
Meowth: I don't got no fever! I have to prove myself as a hot air balloon pilot, so I'm gonna enter dat competition, and win it!
James: Meowth's got a temper.
Jessie: I wonder if Meowth has distemper.
(Meanwhile, Liam is seen trying to pick which Pokemon to use for the competition)
Azusa: I'm sure you have a Pokemon that can help in the competition.
Liam: I think you're right. Natu is the only flying Pokemon I have, so I'll use it.
(Liam gets out the Pokéball and Natu materializes)
Liam: Natu, we're competing in a hot air balloon competition, and we need a Pokemon to help us fly along any air currents.
Natu: Natu. Natu, Nat Natu. ("I don't know. I'm kinda small, and I can't really fly. I won't be of much help.")
Azusa: Natu is saying that it's not sure, considering that its small and can't really fly, so it won't be of much help.
Liam: Don't worry, Natu. You may be small, but you got a big heart. You know, you're as big as your feel. So just spread your wings, and soar!
(Natu, inspired, confidently nods. Suddenly, it starts glowing)
Azusa: Is Natu...?
Liam: I think it is!
(Natu suddenly gets taller, its crest splits, and its wings grow bigger before the glow fades)
Xatu: Xatuuuu! ("Let's fly!")
Azusa: It evolved into a Xatu!
Liam: Amazing! (gets out Dexter)
Dexter: Xatu, the Mystic Pokemon, and the evolved form of Natu. Xatu is a mysterious Pokemon, it has the ability to see or predict any past or future, and is said to live in the forests of South America.
Azusa: It can...see OR predict any past...or future?
Liam: Did it say South America? That's some sort of state, isn't it?
Azusa: No, it's a continent, Liam.
Liam: Well, now that Xatu's on our side, we're guaranteed to win!
(That night, in a field where all the balloons are waiting, Jessie and James sneak around inside a bush before stopping)
Jessie: Meowth HAS to win this competition.
James: So we'll make sure there's no competition.
(They sneak off and get to work. The next day, the competition is about to begin and our heroes are admiring all of the other balloons)
Ash: The Pokemon balloons are cool!
Misty: I love that Wigglytuff!
Brock: There's an Electrode!
Ash: And look! There's a Hoppip!
Liam: Being pulled by several other Hoppip!
Miki: Look! There's a Blissey balloon and a Diglett balloon, too!
Skyler: If I can just win that first prize, my dad and I can build the greats hot air Pokemon balloon ever!
(As Skyler speaks, our heroes watch as a Magmar inflates a balloon)
Ash: You're gonna win that engine! You and your Fearow and your dad seem like a great team, and teamwork's what it takes to win!
Skyler: Thanks. I hope you're right.
Jun: Like I heard someone say before, teamwork makes the dream work.
Contest official: If you haven't registered yet, you can fill out an entry form and complete your paperwork here!
(As the official speaks, Team Rocket fills out their form)
Jessie: Don't forget to put my name in, James.
James: Yes, and Meowth's, too.
Contest official #2: You don't have to put down the name of the Pokemon you're using.
Meowth: What do you mean, using? Nobody's using me, pal! I'm da balloon pilot here, these two are just along for da ride!
Jessie: Meowth, that's right.
James: Meowth's quite an expert in hot air.
Contest official #2: (sighs) Okay.
(Soon, our heroes prepare to take off in their balloons)
Ash: We'll try to remember everything you taught us yesterday, Skyler.
Skyler: I'm sure you guys are gonna do great, Ash.
Tenma: I know you'll try your best, Ash, but you should also try to enjoy the experience. If you do that, I guarantee you'll be a big winner no matter who wins the competition!
Ash: Okay.
Pikachu: Pika. ("Sure thing.")
Jenny: Good idea.
(Stitch is seen snarling at something)
Lilo: Stitch, what is it, boy?
(Misty soon spots what Stitch's snarling at)
Misty: Hey, guys, look over there.
(Everyone looks and sees Team Rocket's balloon)
Brock: A Meowth balloon?
Miki: (realizes something) A MEOWTH BALLOON?!
Ace: We've seen that balloon before!
Ben: That can only mean one thing!
Ash: Don't tell me that THEY'RE in the competition, too!
Jessie: (emerges from the basket) Prepare for trouble, we're going to win it!
James: (pops up beside her) We can hardly wait to begin it!
Jessie: To protect the world from devastation.
James: To unite all peoples within our nation.
Jessie: To denounce the evils of truth and love.
James: To extend our reach to the stars above.
Jessie: Jessie.
James: James.
Jessie: Team Rocket, blasting off in a hot air balloon.
James: Surrender now, twerps, or prepare to lose to us soon!
Meowth: Meowth! Dat's right, and I'm da one whose gonna beat ya!
Sucy: Not you creeps again!
Ash: Why haven't you three learned your lesson yet?! You're Team Loser, so get lost!
Ben: And besides, you're wanted criminals, so I could easily turn you three in right now!
Meowth: No way! Hot air ballooning happens to be something I'm good at, and today I'm gonna prove it to everybody! No tricks today! Today we're playing strictly on da up and up!
Brock: Meowth either has a burning desire, or a bad eye inflammation!
Ash: There's no way we're gonna lose to you three losers!
Ben: Especially since we sent you flying over a hundred times!
Liam: Speaking of flying, it's time for us to do so! Let's do it, Xatu.
(Xatu materializes, to everyone's surprise)
Ace: (surprised) Wait, but if Liam has a Xatu, then that means--
Miki: (surprised) His Natu must've evolved. (To Liam) Hey, Liam. Since when did your Natu evolve?
Liam: Yesterday, Natu realized his wings were too small, and because of me and Azusa for giving it support, Natu kept trying and refused to give up, inspired by our words caused Natu to evolve into a Xatu, and allowed him to fly and enter the competition.
Ritsu: You go, Xatu!
Xatu: Xatu! ("Okay!")
Meowth: New Pokemon or not, I'm gonna win dis ting!
(Soon, the competition is about to be underway)
Announcer: Balloonists, get ready! Begin!
(The start gun goes off, signaling the start of the competition)
Dora: Vamanos!
(All but two of the balloons take off, when suddenly, the Electrode balloon rips and collapses, as does another balloon, while one balloon detaches from the basket before it even takes off. One trainer tries to use his Azumarill to steer the balloon in the right direction, but that balloon breaks, too. Another hot air balloon falls apart as some Heracross pull it along. Over at the Hoppip balloon, the Hoppip break loose and fly off)
???: NO! Come back!
Ben: WHAT IN THE NAME OF MIKE IS GOING ON HERE?!
(One after another, the balloons drop out of the sky, and our heroes suspect foul play)
Ash: Something funny's going on around here.
Ben: (via radio) And not the ha-ha kind of funny.
Brock: Wow, a lot of balloons dropped our already!
Misty: Yeah, I never thought that hot air ballooning could be so dangerous.
(Soon, Ash gets a call on the walkie)
Ash: Go.
Skyler: Ash, did you see what happened to all them other balloons? It can't just be a coincidence!
Ash: Yeah, I know.
(Meanwhile, Skyler, Tenma and Fearow pull ahead of the Blissey balloon)
Skyler: Maybe you'd better talk to Ash.
Tenma: (takes the radio) Ash, it's very important that you and your friends check your equipment immediately! Is anything wrong with your burner?
Brock: (tests it) The burner works okay.
Ben: (via radio) Ours works fine. And thankfully, no gas leak.
Misty: And as far as I can see, the basket and the ropes and the balloon all seem fine.
Liam: (via radio) I had a bit of trouble with our burner, so Quilava is helping out with a low power flame.
Quilava: (via radio) Quil Quil lava. ("Everything's under control.")
Azusa: (translates via radio) He's saying everything is under control.
Ash: Our balloon checks out okay, but we'll be careful.
Jessie: Coming through!
(Everyone looks and sees Team Rocket flying in)
Ash: Cheaters! It was you who sabotaged those balloons!
Azusa: You must've snuck in last night and did the dirty work!
Snowbelle: Meow Meow Meowstic! ("You can't do that!")
Meowth: (translates) What? Yer sayin' that we can't do that! (retorts back) Dat's a lie! We're doing everything strictly by da book here! Right, Jessie?! Right, James?!
(Jessie and James start acting sheepish)
Jenny: We can see through your lies!
Ben: Their expressions paint the picture, Meowth! You didn't do the sabotaging, but your cohorts did!
Meowth: Dey wouldn't dare!
Misty: I don't believe it!
Meowth: I done a lot of lying and cheating in my day, but today, I'm on de up and up!
(Team Rocket soon gains altitude)
Meowth: Some of dem other teams gotta rely on Pokemon to move dere balloons around.
James: (whispers) Correct me if I'm wrong, but Meowth is a Pokemon, right?
Jessie: (whispers) And Meowth is moving our balloon.
James: (whispers) Doesn't that mean that we're relying on a Pokemon to move our balloon, too?
Meowth: Hey, what's all da whispering about? Don't worry, I'm gonna win dat prize using skill and skill alone.
(Meanwhile, our heroes keep gaining altitude)
Ash: I don't care if we lose, but we can't let Team Rocket win.
Sucy: We'll pulverize those cheatin' scumbags! Once! And for all!
All heroes: Who's that Pokémon? It's Remoraid!
(Back to the show)
Meowth: Da key to hot air ballooning is caring for your balloon properly, and if dose other team dat dropped out woulda kept dere balloons in shape, one of dem might be in the lead now.
Jessie: Well, our plan is working perfectly, James.
James: And we're finally out of sight of the competition command center. Shall we move on to stage two of our plan?
Meowth: What plan are you talking about dere, guys?
Jessie: Our secret plan to get our hands on that engine.
James: (gets out a Pokéball) The secret's out. Come out, Weezing, I choose you! Go!
(Weezing materializes)
James: Use your Smog attack!
Meowth: What's going on?!
(Regardless, the attack launches, blinding the rest of the competitors)
Ash: You see? I knew they'd show their true colors!
Ben: (via radio) I figured it was only a matter of time.
Brock: Yeah! They must've been the ones who sabotaged the other balloons!
Misty: They never change!
Sucy: That's right!
(Soon, three more balloons fall out while our heroes quickly gain altitude)
Tenma: How could you do such a thing?! This isn't a battle, it's a competition!
Meowth: Hey, what are you trying to do?! Dat's against da rules! We're gonna get disqualified!
Jessie: Say, what's gotten into you, Meowth?
James: Yes, what's the big deal, Meowth? Breaking the rules is standard operating procedure for Team Rocket.
Jessie: (gets out a Pokéball) This is the easy way to get rid of the competition.
Meowth: NO!
Jessie: Alright, Arbok, use your Poison Sting attack to shoot those balloons down! Go!
(Arbok materializes and fires the attack)
Ash: Look out for those stingers!
Skyler: Fearow, pull us out of the way!
(Skyler, Liam and Ash's balloons manage to evade the oncoming attack, but some of our heroes weren't so lucky and end up falling out)
Jessie: Yay! (x2)
James: Cheating makes competing fun!
Meowth: Dat's enough!
(Meowth proceeds to Scratch his teammates)
Jessie: You have some nerve, Meowth! What are you attacking us for?! We're trying to help you win!
James: Make up your mind, Meowth! Do you want to be a winner or a loser?!
Meowth: I may be a loser, but I still go my pride! I want to prove to myself that I can win something without cheating!
Jessie: If we don't cheat, do you think Meowth has a chance to win?
James: About one chance in a billion.
Jessie: We want to win just as much as you do.
(Jessie and James then start attacking Meowth while he protests)
Jessie: Sorry, Meowth. You'll have to find self-esteem elsewhere.
(It's revealed that they tied him up)
Meowth: Untie me, now! (looks up and spots storm clouds above) Does are storm clouds! If we we get blown off course, we'll never finish and we'll lose the whole competition! Untie dese ropes, I gotta take command!
Jessie: What do you think, James? Maybe we are in trouble.
James: No need, Jessie. I planned ahead. (pulls out a remote and activates something) We'll fly through the clouds with Team Rocket power!
(As James talks, some rockets come out under the basket and wings come out the sides)
Meowth: Dat's against da rules! Just untie me!
Jessie: Rules are for fools, Meowth. You want to win that engine, don't you?
James: The judges won't even know we cheated.
Jessie: First prize, here we come!
James: Get ready to rocket.
(With the press of a button, the rockets start up and send Team Rocket soaring)
Jessie: Prepare for victory!
Meowth: NO!
Jessie and James: Team Rocket's blasting off again!
(Meanwhile, our heroes are riding out the storm)
Tenma: (via radio) Just stay calm and you'll get through it.
Ben: (via radio) This weather's too much for us, I don't think the balloon can take it! We have no choice but to land!
Tenma: (via radio) Alright, Ben. Just you and Mugi be careful. Now, for the rest of you who are still up, just hold to your positions and steady the basket.
Ash: Our flame's getting real low!
Tenma: Whatever you do, don't let the burner go out! If you lose too much altitude, you'll hit the mountains!
(Meanwhile, Ace and Miki are seen struggling to ride the storm)
Ace: This is starting to remind me of a movie I once saw about a giant tornado!
Miki: Me, too. And I don't think Francis can take much more of these high winds!
(Indeed, Francis, a Ledyba, started panting as if it was running out of energy)
Miki: Francis, what's the matter?
Ace: Looks like Francis getting tired and running out of energy to fly.
Miki: Francis. You can do this,
Francis: Redi... ("I'm not finished yet...")
Miki: Francis!!!
(Francis' eyes became serious and determined as if refusing to give up, until its body started glowing)
Ace: No way!
(Liam, Azusa and Xatu saw the light from white glow)
Liam: (in amazement) Azusa, that glowing white light, can that mean....?
Azusa: (in amazement) Look like Miki's Ledyba is starting to evolve!!
(Francis' body becomes slimmer before the glow fades)
Francis: Reddiaa! ("I'm a Ledian now!!")
Ace: Amazing!
Miki: Could that be a-
(Miki pulls her Pokédex)
Dextette: Ledian, the Five Star Pokemon, and the evolved form of Ledyba. When it sees stars flickering, this nocturnal Pokemon can scatter glowing powder as it flutters around the night sky.
(Nearby, after seeing its friend evolve, Xatu regained altitude and starts gaining speed)
Liam: Excellent! Now that Xatu's fired up, maybe both us, Miki and Ace have a chance at actually finishing!
Azusa: I hope so!
(Meanwhile, Skyler's Fearow keeps trying its hardest to ride the storm)
Skyler: Hang in there, Fearow!
(All the balloons struggle to stay together. Back in Ash's balloon, the burner starts sparking electrical bolts)
Misty: Guys! Look, something's going wrong with the burner!
(Finally, the burner cuts off)
Brock: It's no use! The burner's completely gone
Ash: One of Arbok's stingers must've damaged it somehow!
(The balloon starts losing altitude)
Tenma: (via radio) What's the matter, Ash? You're falling!
Ash: Our burner's broken! The flame went out!
Tenma: You gotta do something fast, Ash! If one of you has a fire Pokemon, use it to replace the burner and heat the air like the Magmar in that other balloon did and like Liam's Quilava is doing!
Brock: It's not as strong as Magmar or Quilava, but our only hope now is Cyndaquil!
Ash: That's it! Cyndaquil, I choose you!
(Cyndaquil materializes on top of the broken burner before losing its balance)
Dora: Cuidado, Cyndaquil!
Ash: Quick, Cyndaquil, use your Flamethrower to heat up the balloon!
(Cyndaquil agrees and does so, but the balloon keeps losing altitude)
Misty: Hang in there!
Pikachu: Pika! ("Come on!")
(The balloon keeps dropping, getting closer to a mountain)
Brock: You can do it!
(The balloon nears the mountain)
Ash: Cyndaquil, maximum power!
(With all the power Cyndaquil can muster, the balloon gains altitude once more)
Ash: We made it! You saved us, Cyndaquil!
Pikachu: Pika! ("Nice work!")
(Soon, the storm clouds pass, and Team Rocket emerges)
James: The storm's behind us and we're ahead.
Jessie: We'll have to be very humble and overwhelmed when we accept the prize.
(Soon, our heroes burst through the clouds)
Jessie: Look, some of the heroes and that kid in the Fearow balloon are still on our tail.
James: And it looks like one of the heroes' balloons has a brand new burner!
Meowth: Dat's Cyndaquil! Dey're flying on Poke-power.
Jessie: What's gotten into you, Meowth?! Who's side are you on?! There's or ours?!
James: (gets out remote) I'll fix them!
(With the press of a button, the rockets turn around and reveal what appear to be Gatling guns)
James: Hero target practice time.
Meowth: No, wait!
James: Oh, look, my thumb slipped.
(From the rockets, missiles launch)
Sucy: Missiles!
Misty: Guys, look out!
Liam: Incoming missiles!
(The missile explode all around our heroes, two of which knocks Cyndaquil away from the burner)
Ash: I'll save you, Cyndaquil!
(Ash manages to catch Cyndaquil in time)
Ash: Nice catch, huh, Cyndaquil?
(Another missile explosions knocks them both into the basket)
Brock and Misty: Oh no!
Pikachu: Pika Pi! ("Ash!")
Ash: I'm alright. Cyndaquil, get up and use your Flamethrower!
(Cyndaquil agrees and does so, but Ash's left shoulder is revealed to be slightly injured)
Ben: My boy! Mugi, go and get my first aid kit from my bag! Fast!
Pikachu: Pika. ("That's it.")
(Pikachu gets up on the basket and starts sparking)
Jessie: Well, it looks like our friend, Pikachu, is about to hit us with one of its electric attacks again.
(James presses a button to turn the rockets around and make them speed up the balloon)
James: Pikachu can't shock us from this far away.
Jessie: Catch us if you can!
Ash: Alright, Noctowl, let Pikachu on your back and chase em!
(Noctowl agrees and lets go of the line)
Ash: It's all up to you, now, Pikachu.
(Pikachu hops on)
Ash: Okay, Noctowl, go get those losers!
(Noctowl proceeds to follow Team Rocket and closes in on them)
Jessie: Oh, no! They ARE coming to catch us!
James: No problem, Jess. We'll get them before they get us.
(James reactivates the mini missiles, causing Noctowl to take evasive actions)
Tenma: Skyler, maybe Fearow can help them get through!
Skyler: Right! Fearow, release the line!
(Fearow does so and joins the chase)
Skyler: Fearow, use your Drill Peck attack to destroy that rocket launcher!
(Fearow closes in and destroys it)
Jessie: (deadpan) Our missiles seem to be missing something.
James: (deadpan) In a moment, I have a feeling we'll be missing.
Meowth: (deadpan) We'll also be missing the award ceremony.
Wobbuffet: WOBUFFET! ("We deserve it!")
(Noctowl soon gets close enough)
Pkachu: Pika. ("Steady.")
Ash: Okay, Pikachu, use your Thunderbolt!
(The attack launches, lands and destroys the balloon, sending Team Rocket flying)
Team Rocket: We're blasting off again!
Wobbuffet: WOBBU! ("Help me!")
Ace: So long, goodbye and good riddance!
Ash: Nice work, Pikachu!
Misty: You, too, Noctowl!
Liam: If only Meowth could've had the guts to land the balloon and fess up.
(Soon, our heroes are at the target zone)
Skyler: Get ready to throw your markers, guys! We're gonna have to hurry! We're almost at the time limit! We can't wait! We'll have to throw them from here! Over!
Ash: Okay! I copy!
(Down on the ground, the spectators and the heroes who didn't make it the rest of the way are watching and waiting)
Ash: Here goes! Hit that target, marker!
(Both Ash and Skyler throw their markers)
Liam: Bombs away!
Ritsu: Banzai!
Ace: Look out below!
(Liam, Ace and Ritsu throw their markers, as do the other heroes who managed to make it that far as Ash and Skyler's markers come close together)
Ash and Skyler: Alright!
(Soon, both markers land dead center and later, the crowd erupts as the winners are announced)
Announcer: First, I'm happy to report that none of our grounded balloonists were hurt. I'm also happy to report that two victors have emerged. Both of them landed their markers in the middle of the target at the same moment, so, we have a tie! But we've never had a tie for first place before, and, unfortunately, we only have one first place prize.
Ash: I know we're tied, but I want you to have that engine.
Skyler: What about you?
Brock: We don't need an engine. And, besides, we had a great time learning about ballooning and competing.
Ash: That's prize enough for me.
Liam: And me.
Miki: I agree with the both of you.
Ace: Same here.
Jenny: That's a good-sport.
Ben: Now that's a true symbol of sportsmanship, boys.
Liam: If it weren't for Miki and Ace supporting Francis here, he would never have evolved into Ledian or they would've been out of the race.
Francis: (nods in agreement) Reedii. ("You're right, Liam.")
Azusa: Looks like Francis agrees with you, Liam.
Misty: And if it hadn't been for you, Skyler, we wouldn't have even been in the competition.
Skyler: (turns to his father, who nods with approval) Thanks, guys.
Dora: De nada.
Sucy: No big.
Tenma: Because of you, we'll be soaring higher than ever.
(The audience applauds the gesture of sportsmanship from our heroes, and later, they're on their way again)
Narrator: Our heroes have come back down to earth and their journey continues, but they've gained some valuable experience, and their hopes are still flying high.
(Our heroes look back at the balloons still aloft as the episode ends)