Back at Professor Oak's lab in Pallet Town, tensions are rising between the Grass-type and Water-type Pokémon. The professor asks for Bulbasaur to be transferred to the lab as an ambassador between the feuding parties.
Tropes:
- A Day in the Limelight: Most of his final episode follows Bulbasaur trying to make the feuding Pokémon reach an understanding. His failure to quell it completely by the end results in him being Put on a Bus.
- The Bus Came Back: Tracey (plus his Pokémon), Delia, Mimey, and Heracross all return in this episode after a prolonged absence. Delia and Mimey were last seen (chronologically) in Pokémon 3 and Tracey since Pokémon 4Ever. It's even longer in the English version since all of Tracey's appearances in that film (bar the end credits) were cut and replaced with new animation.
- Call-Back: Tracey mentions that Bulbasaur used to look after lost Pokémon before Ash caught him, referring to the Grass-type's first ever appearance back in Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village.
- Lampshade Hanging: Tracy points out that Bulbasaur learning Dig is impossible.
- Locked in a Freezer: Team Rocket suffers this after sneaking onto Carter's blimp.
- Put on a Bus: This is Bulbasaur's final appearance as a member of Ash's core party. He stays behind at the laboratory to ensure that the Pokémon don't break out into another fight. With his departure, the last member of Ash's Kanto-caught Pokémon (aside of Pikachu, of course) is gone.
- Really Dead Montage: This happens after Bulbasaur seemingly gets crushed rescuing an Oddish from getting crushed by a large rock, complete with flashbacks to when Ash first caught him and all that they went through together. Subverted, as he manages to learn Dig just in time and is uninjured.
- Wham Episode: Bulbasaur finally rotates out of Ash's team, to remain at Professor Oak's laboratory for an extended period and act as a peacekeeper for the Pokemon.
