Japanese Title: The Crystal Iwark
Original Airdate: March 11th, 1999
US Airdate: February 5th, 2000
The one where... We get introduced to an Onix form that was never in the games proper.
While riding around the Orange Islands on his Lapras, Ash finds a mysterious message in a bottle, which leads the gang on a new adventure. Ash, Misty and Tracey travel to Sunburst Island, which is famous for its artists and glassblowers. They meet a struggling young shopkeeper who's seeking inspiration from a legendary crystal Onix. Having been unable to find this special Pokémon, the shopkeeper turns to our heroes. With Tracey and his observational Pokémon on board, they set out to fire up a new friend's creative drive!
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- Cuteness Proximity: Naturally, Misty gushes at Tracey's Marill.
- Dramatic Shattering: Mateo smashes one of his crystal works to show his frustration.
- Early-Bird Cameo: This episode marks the in-series debut of Marill outside of "Pikachu's Vacation".
- Message in a Bottle: Marissa sent out a bottle asking for help finding the crystal Onix.
- Riddle for the Ages: How Team Rocket escaped their traps.
- Also, what type the Crystal Onix is. It's immune to Water-type moves but vulnerable to Fire-type ones.
- Sand Bridge at Low Tide: One forms to link the main island in the episode to a smaller one where the cave with the crystal Onix is.
- Trapped the Wrong Target: Team Rocket somehow get themselves caught in their own traps.
- Working Off the Debt: Team Rocket falls afoul of "you break it, you bought it" when they break some glassware.
