Ash and co. must make their way through the Valley of Steel, a rocky landscape that is home to some very territorial Steel-type Pokémon. During their trek through the valley they meet a Torkoal that got lost there and is constantly being attacked by the Steel-types. Ultimately, Ash decides to help Torkoal fight back when he sees it challenging Steelix, the leader of the Steel-types in the valley. Under Ash's guidance, Torkoal defeats Steelix and earns its respect, and Torkoal decides to join Ash.
Tropes
- Ash Face: Torkoal repeatedly exhales hot smoke at the gang, leaving them with blackened, sooty faces.
- Call-Back: Ash remembers Flannery telling her own Torkoal to use the super-powerful Fire-type move Overheat and has Torkoal use it to defeat Steelix.
- Damsel in Distress: May ends up hanging from a branch growing out of the crack in the side of a cliff. Luckily, Ash is able to rescue her with the help of Torkoal, Brock, and Max.
- Death or Glory Attack: Overheat gets weaker every time it's used, so Ash makes sure that Torkoal uses it at exactly the right moment when Steelix pops up out of the ground.
- Ocular Gushers: Torkoal reacts this way whenever it is very happy or expresses gratitude, accompanied by it blowing smoke out of its nostrils and the opening on the top of its shell. This becomes its defining personality trait.
- Running Gag: Torkoal repeatedly blows smoke from its nostrils when excited, leaving anyone in the vicinity with an Ash Face.
