Ash and co. are now walking towards the Azalea Gym now that the GS Ball has been delivered to Kurt. Misty acts as a news reporter and asks Ash if he has a prediction of his upcoming battle. Ash tells her that he plans on winning. Misty says that Ash doesn't have Charizard with him. In all his other battles, Charizard was there to help. Ash doesn't seem to mind because he has Cyndaquil to help him.

Ash and co. arrive at the Azalea Gym. They look inside and see a grass field rather than a gym. Misty asks Brock if they are in the right place. Brock tells her that they are according to the guide book. Ash decides to have a look around. While walking, Brock feels like they are walking in the forest even though they are really inside. Misty hopes that nothing slimy or disgusting appears. Suddenly, a Caterpie appears in front of her, and Misty screams. She runs right into a nest of Metapod. Misty says that they are in a torture chamber, not a gym.

A boy at the top of a tree tells her that they are definitely in the Azalea Gym and that bug Pokémon are the best. He tells Misty that her ignorance shows. Misty gets angry at the kid for calling her ignorant. She asks for the boy's name. The boy tells them that he doesn't have to tell them who he is, but rather they should tell him who they are. Ash introduces himself to the boy. He tells him that he wants to battle the gym leader. Then the boy introduces himself as Bugsy, the Azalea Town gym leader. Bugsy accepts Ash's battle, but he asks them to get the ladder for him so that he can climb down from the tree. The ladder is brought to Bugsy, and Bugsy thanks them. Ash tells Bugsy that he should be careful next time. Bugsy says that he only knocked the ladder over because Misty screamed.

Team Rocket is watching Ash and co. from the outside. They realize that the gym leader uses bug Pokémon. Jessie states that they will grab Pikachu when Ash is all caught up in his battle. James suggests that they disguise themselves in the forest. Jessie disguises herself as a flower, James as a tree, and Meowth as weeds. Victreebel joins them, too. The bug Pokémon in the gym notice that Team Rocket is strange-looking, so they use their String Shot attack on them.

Bugsy leads Ash and co. to the battlefield. Brock realizes that Bugsy built his gym in a green field because bug Pokémon like it there. The referee explains that each trainer may use three Pokémon. When both trainers are ready, the battle begins.

Bugsy's first Pokémon is Spinarak. Ash chooses Cyndaquil. Brock says that Ash made a good choice for type. However, Cyndaquil's flame isn't lit up because it is still sleepy. Ash realizes that Cyndaquil has to get warmed up. Spinarak starts off with String Shot. Cyndaquil dodges the attack. Spinarak uses String Shot a few more times, and Cyndaquil keeps dodging them. Then Bugsy commands Spinarak to cover the whole field with String Shot. A whole bunch of String Shot is shot in the air, and it lands on Cyndaquil. Cyndaquil tries to free itself with Flamethrower, but nothing comes out of its mouth. Ash realizes that it must take awhile for Cyndaquil's flame to work. Spinarak then uses Poison Sting. The attack hits Cyndaquil. Spinarak is about to finish the battle off with another Poison Sting attack when Ash returns Cyndaquil back into its Pokéball.

Ash's next Pokémon is Chikorita. Bugsy is surprised that Ash would choose a grass type over a bug type. Ash tells Chikorita to forget about type because he has faith in Chikorita. The battle begins. Spinarak uses String Shot, but Chikorita manages to dodge them. Then Chikorita attacks with Vine Whip, but Spinarak attaches itself to a tree by using String Shot, and it swings from tree to tree. Chikorita tries to hit Spinarak again with Vine Whip, but Spinarak dodges all of Chikorita's attacks. Brock notices that Bugsy has done a great job with training Spinarak. Spinarak uses Poison Sting, but Chikorita counters with Razor Leaf. Then Chikorita uses its Sweet Scent attack to stop Spinarak. Now that Spinarak has slowed down, Chikorita tackles Spinarak, knocking it out.

Team Rocket is outside again. They notice that Ash is all caught up in his battle just like they predicted. Meowth asks about the plan they will use. Jessie explains that they will dig a tunnel underground right under the gym. Then they will come up, grab Pikachu, and escape through the tunnel. Meanwhile, Bugsy sends out Metapod, his second Pokémon. Misty and Brock tell Ash to be careful. Ash sticks with Chikorita, and the battle begins.

Chikorita uses Vine Whip on Metapod. Metapod uses Harden, and the Vine Whip has very little effect on Metapod. Chikorita then tries Razor Leaf, but Metapod uses Harden again. Then Metapod jumps into the air and tackles Chikorita. Chikorita flies into Ash's arms and faints. Bugsy wins the round. Brock states that Ash has two Pokémon left. He predicts that Ash will choose Pikachu.

Ash's third Pokémon is Pikachu. The battle begins. Bugsy uses his same strategy again for beating Chikorita. Metapod jumps into the air and heads straight down for Pikachu. Pikachu dodges Metapod's attack. Metapod lands straight on the ground, causing a smoke cloud. Pikachu can't see where Metapod is while the smoke is in effect. Metapod sneaks up from behind and tackles again. It barely hits Pikachu. When the smoke clears, Metapod disappears. Bugsy explains that it's all about speed, which is one of the reasons why bug Pokémon are great. Pikachu senses Metapod coming, and it dodges Metapod's attack. Metapod tries to tackle Pikachu again, but Pikachu uses its Agility to dodge all of Metapod's attacks. Then Pikachu lands on Metapod and uses Thunderbolt. Metapod faints, and Ash wins the round.

Bugsy is impressed with Ash's battle skills. However, he still has one Pokémon left. Bugsy sends out Scyther. Scyther could mean some trouble for Ash. Pikachu begins to use its Agility, but it notices that Scyther isn't moving. Team Rocket is underground digging. Meowth points notices that Pikachu stopped moving. Jessie and James dream about the recognition they deserve once they bring Pikachu to the boss. Meowth wants a bonus and a buffet. Then Team Rocket says their motto. Then James digs upwards. He pokes his head out of the hole. James is actually behind Scyther. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt, but Scyther uses Double Team to dodge the attack. Some of the electric bolts go into the hole, shocking Team Rocket. Scyther then prepares for its Slash attack. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt, but it only hits the copies. Scyther sneaks up from behind and hits Pikachu rapidly with its Fury Cutter attack. This knocks out Pikachu, meaning Bugsy wins the round.

Ash only has one Pokémon left. He sends out Cyndaquil, who's flame still isn't lit up yet. Scyther starts slashing at Cyndaquil with its Fury Cutter attack, but Cyndaquil is able to dodge all of the attacks. During its movement, Cyndaquil flame begins to light up. When Cyndaquil's flame is fully charged, it uses Flamethrower. Scyther evades with Double Team. Cyndaquil, however, finds the real one and fires a Flamethrower at it. Scyther uses Swords Dance. Scyther spins super fast and avoids the Flamethrower. Bugsy tells Ash that it's hopeless for him because he built a strategy to avoid fire attacks. Brock realizes that when Scyther is using Swords Dance, it spins like a fan to repel any fire attacks. Misty states that Ash will lose if all of Cyndaquil's fire attacks don't work.

Ash tries to think of a strategy. He suddenly gets an idea. He tells Cyndaquil to prepare a Flamethrower attack. Scyther begins using its Swords Dance. Then Cyndaquil jumps up right above Scyther and points its body down. Up from above, Cyndaquil uses Flamethrower. Since Scyther can't blow away the Flamethrower from above, its body is burnt from the flames. Finally, Cyndaquil tackles Scyther, and Scyther faints. Ash wins the battle. Bugsy congratulates Ash for winning and developing a good strategy to take out Scyther. He presents Ash with the Hive Badge. Bugsy tells Ash to visit him again someday so that they can have a rematch.

Ash and co. are just about to leave Azalea Town. They realize that they are forgetting something. They just remember that they have to pick up the apricorn Pokéballs from Kurt. Mazie runs up to Ash and co. She presents Ash, Misty, and Brock with two Lure Balls and a Heavy Ball. Ash and Misty takes the Lure Balls, while Brock takes the Heavy Ball. Then they wave goodbye to Mazie and continue their journey towards the Pokémon League. Meanwhile, at night Team Rocket finally has made it out of the hole. They are glad to be safe. Suddenly, a bunch of bug Pokémon come out and corner Team Rocket. Team Rocket screams.

English Official Summary

When Ash reaches the Hive Gym, he has just the Pokémon to challenge the Gym Leader's Bug Pokémon. But what's this? The Fire-type Pokémon Cyndaquil can't get its burners going!

Italian Official Summary

Finalmente raggiunta la Palestra di Azalina, Cyndaquil non si dimostra abbastanza focoso da dare del filo da torcere al Capopalestra. Nel punto focale della lotta Ash dovrà dare il meglio di sé contro i potenti Pokémon di tipo Coleottero avversari!

Portuguese Official Summary

Ash finalmente chegou no Ginásio de Azalea, mas Cyndaquil ainda não está pronto para enfrentar o Líder de Ginásio. Enquanto a batalha esquenta, Ash precisa dar tudo de si para enfrentar o poderoso Pokémon tipo-inseto!

Spanish Latin America Official Summary

Ash por fin llega al Gimnasio Azalea, pero Cyndaquil no tiene la energía para derrotar al Líder de Gimnasio. Conforme la batalla se enciende, Ash debe esforzarse al máximo para derrotar al poderoso Pokémon tipo Insecto.

Spanish Official Summary

Cuando Ash alcanza el Gimnasio Colmena, tiene al Pokémon perfecto para retar a los Pokémon Bicho del Líder de Gimnasio.

English Great Britian Official Summary

When Ash reaches the Hive Gym, he has just the Pokémon to challenge the Gym Leader's Bug Pokémon. But what's this? The Fire-type Pokémon Cyndaquil can't get its burners going!

Dutch Official Summary

Ash heeft eindelijk de Azalea Gym bereikt, maar Cyndaquil is nog niet in staat om het op te nemen tegen de Gym Leader. Als het gevecht intens wordt, moet Ash alles inzetten tegen de sterke Insectsoort Pokémon!

French Official Summary

Lorsque Sacha arrive à l'Arène d'Écorcia, il a juste le Pokémon qu'il faut pour défier les Pokémon Insecte du Champion.

German Official Summary

Als Ash die Arena erreicht, hat er die richtigen Pokémon, um die Käfer-Pokémon des Arenaleiters herauszufordern.