Japanese Title: The Burned Tower! Matsuba Appears!!
Original Airdate: January 18th, 2001
US Airdate: Novermber 10th, 2001
Arriving in Ecruteak, Ash immediately heads to the Gym to challenge it's leader for his next Johto League badge. Our heroes soon realize this isn't a normal gym... it bursts into flames as soon as they enter! Trying to douse the flames with their water Pokémon, they find out the blaze is bogus. It's actually the Gastly, Haunter and Gengar instigating the illusion. Find out how these Ghost-Types end up helping our heroes when Togepi and Pikachu get lost among the ruins. Plus, don't miss the Gastly lesson they teach Team Rocket!
Tropes
- Call-Back: Ho-Oh had used the original Tin Tower as a site to visit humans, but was driven away. Ash saw it the first episode.
- Cassandra Truth: Ash remembers seeing Ho-oh on his first day as a trainer but Morty thinks this is impossible since Ho-oh vanished.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: Morty subjects Team Rocket to this to save Pikachu and Togepi. From a meta perspective, it could also serve to show that Ash is in for a tough time for his fourth Gym Badge.
- Dowsing Device: Infernando tries to sell one to Ash but fails. James falls for it, however.
- The Reveal: Ho-Oh was the mysterious Pokémon Ash saw on his first day as a trainer.
