The one where... Ash overcomes his greatest rival.
- Aw, Look! They Really Do Love Each Other:
- Paul's reserve Pokémon react sadly upon hearing their trainer had lost the Sinnoh League, proving that despite his tough methods, they do indeed care about him. They also happily cheer as Reggie tells them they'll be battling again soon.
- Similarly, Paul thanks his Electivire for its efforts, and even before their defeat, when Paul lost a Pokémon in the battle, he seemed attentive to their Pokeball upon recalling it. He might’ve not showed it until the end of the battle, but Paul did start to properly appreciate his Pokémon.
- Book Ends:
- Infernape beats half of Paul's team (Aggron, Ninjask, Electivire) while Buizel, Pikachu and Gliscor beat Gastrodon, Froslass and Drapion just like how Paul's Ursaring beat Buizel, Staraptor and Pikachu while Honchkrow, Torterra and Electabuzz beat Grotle, Gliscor and Monferno in the Lake Acuity battle. Likewise, Drapion and Electivire are the only ones to win against Ash's team just like how only Staraptor and Chimchar were able to beat Weavile and Ursaring.
- Much like their very first encounter, the episode ends with Paul silently walking away while Ash calls out for them to battle again. However, while the first instance was angry and bitter in nature, this one is positive and symbolizes that they've earned each other's complete respect.
- Brawler Lock: And an Elemental Powers-infused one at that. Ash and Paul finish the battle with Flare Blitz and Thunder Punch, respectively, and the two moves collide in a gargantuan explosion of fire and electricity. Though they're evenly matched for a moment, Infernape eventually wins.
- Breaking Old Trends: This marks the first time a battle has spanned across three consecutive episodes, a feat that wouldn't be topped until Ash's battle with Kukui nearly a decade later. On a lesser note, it marks the first time Ash has made it to the top 4 of a Pokémon League.
- Bring It:
- Ash and Paul exchange a mutual one as Ash is down to just Infernape.Ash: Hey, Paul! Truth is, your strategy made all the difference, even though my numbers looked better. But... (brings out Poké Ball) I'm still gonna win this!
Paul: Then give it your best shot!
Ash: Infernape, I choose you! - When Infernape collapses, Electivire taunts it to get back up and keep battling. Infernape complies.
- Ash and Paul exchange a mutual one as Ash is down to just Infernape.
- Call-Back:
- Electivire's defeat of Pikachu note recalls the same situation that happened in Ash and Paul's first battle.
- Infernape is Ash's second fully evolved Fire-type Pokemon to help Ash secure a win against his longtime rival, after Charizard defeated Gary's Blastoise.
- Defeat Means Friendship: Downplayed. After Ash defeats Paul, the latter finally admits Infernape is strong, and the two settle their differences and see each other off on civil terms. Though they're not truly "friends" in the traditional sense (Paul remains a stoic loner and leaves the stadium to pursue his own goals), they've formed an undeniably deep connection regardless.
- Deliberate Injury Gambit: Knowing Blaze was his only remaining hope to overpower Electivire, Ash intentionally has Infernape take a point-blank hit from Thunder to activate the ability. Thanks to their powerful bond and Infernape's sheer willpower, it works.
- Foreshadowing: Reggie lampshades the fact that Ash seemingly keeps falling for the same trick from Paul over and over, repeatedly letting his Pokémon get trapped in Electivire's tails, but suspects Ash may be up to something. As it turns out, the whole time Ash was luring Paul into a false sense of security with his own strategy, eventually using it against him to activate Infernape's Blaze.
- Graceful Loser: After Paul loses to Ash, Paul thanks his Electivire for its efforts, and even smiles and congratulates Ash upon losing. A huge contrast to how Paul used to handle being defeated.
- Heroic Second Wind: Infernape seems to have been defeated, and Paul takes the time to rub it in, mocking his old Pokémon for coming up short yet again. Soon afterwards, Infernape gets up and summons all his energy to win the match once and for all. Somewhat Justified in that Infernape activated Blaze, which powered up his moves significantly.
- It Only Works Once:
- Gliscor uses another Giga Impact against Electivire, but this time Paul is ready for it and has Electivire block the attack so it can't retreat into the air.
- Ash somewhat invokes this with Electivire's improvised "Underground Thunder" technique, commanding Pikachu to leap across the falling rocks with Quick Attack and get a hit off on his opponent. Unfortunately, Electivire is able to recover quickly and trap Pikachu with its tails just like the others.
- When Paul tries his Counter Shield strategy with Electivire, Ash has Infernape dig under the Counter Shield and strike Electivire from below.
- Kill It with Fire:
- Paul's Drapion is finally defeated after Gliscor burns it with Fire Fang.
- Electivire is likewise knocked out by Infernape's Flare Blitz.
- Laser-Guided Karma: Ash finally defeats Paul by using Infernape, the Pokémon Paul released for supposedly being weak.
- Lip Lock: In the Japanese version, when Paul walks up to Infernape after the battle, he starts to say "You've gotten stronger" before he's cut off by Infernape's Post-Victory Collapse. In the dub, he just says "Well..." before trailing off, likely because this moment couldn't be captured by only one word in English.
- No-Sell: Electivire's Thunder completely fails at blocking Infernape's Blaze-powered Flamethrower.
- Pet the Dog: Paul thanks Electivire for putting in a good effort after it loses to Infernape. He also finally praises Infernape’s strength after losing to Ash.
- Post-Victory Collapse: Infernape is so exhausted after defeating Paul that he nearly passes out right as Paul is about to compliment his strength. Not wanting to ruin the moment, Paul stops himself and simply leaves with a smile.
- Power Copying:
- Inspired by Infernape's Underground Flare Blitz, Paul has Electivire attack the battlefield with Thunder, which sends rock fragments hurtling downward to pelt the opponent for heavy damage. Brock notes this to be Paul's way of getting back at Ash for using the battlefield to his advantage.
- Paul continues to use Ash's Counter Shield strategy against him, this time with Electivire's Thunder. It doesn't work, as Ash simply has Infernape dig under it.
- Riding into the Sunset: Ash and Paul's farewell takes place as the sun is setting, with Paul walking into the distance as they promise to battle again.
- Rule of Three: A Blaze-powered Infernape takes down Electivire with a Flamethrower, Mach Punch and Flare Blitz-Thunder Punch collision.
- Scissors Cuts Rock: Despite Gliscor being immune to Electric-type moves, Paul gets around this by attacking the battlefield itself with Thunder, effectively turning the attack into a makeshift Stone Edge.
- Smile of Approval: As Paul turns to leave after saying farewell to Ash, Ash calls out excitedly for them to battle again soon. Paul simply responds with a smile and a wave, symbolizing that their fierce rivalry has finally come to an end.
- Status Effects:
- Drapion is burned by Gliscor's Fire Fang and this on top of all the damage Drapion took from its battles with Buizel, Staraptor and Torterra and Gliscor's Giga Impact in the previous episode knocks the Ogre Scorp Pokémon out.
- Infernape suffers from some poison from Toxic Spikes.
- Tempting Fate: Paul criticizes Infernape one last time when he believes it can’t continue, just before Infernape activates Blaze.
- Theme Music Power-Up: In the Japanese version, "Type: Wild" plays as Infernape’s Blaze gives him a second wind. In the English dub, it is replaced by “This is the Moment” (which previously played in the dub during Dawn’s final match with Zoey).
- Took a Level in Badass: Gliscor defeats Paul's Drapion, finally shedding its reputation as The Load once and for all and showing what wonders training with McCann did for it.
- Took a Level in Kindness: Ash defeating him seems to change Paul for the better; he behaves much more respectfully after their battle, and even smiles at a few points.
- Victory by Endurance: Paul nearly pulls this off, as despite being technically down 3-1, Ash's remaining Pokémon are so injured from their previous battles that he still has the disadvantage. Realizing this, Ash only manages to win through a Deliberate Injury Gambit to activate Infernape's Blaze.
- Worf Had the Flu: Drapion took so much damage from Buizel, Staraptor, Torterra and Gliscor's Giga Impact that even though it's able to strike Gliscor with Pin Missile, Gliscor recovers and weaves around Cross Poison before chomping Drapion on the arm with Fire Fang. The burn on top of the damage proves to be too much for Drapion and after a few seconds of wriggling in pain, it collapses, unable to battle.
- Worthy Opponent:
- Paul seems to finally recognize Ash (and by extension Infernape) as this after they defeat him. The same applies to Electivire, who goes as far as to stop the ref from declaring Infernape out, knowing this wasn't the limit to their strength.
- Cynthia happily sees how much both Ash and Paul have grown over the course of their journeys, and eagerly looks forward to the day they can enter the Champion League to face her.
