Banishing Ritual: After Pikachu shocks Ash to drive out the king of Pokélantis, Brandon uses the incantation to seal him back into the ancient Poké Ball.
Comically Missing the Point: As Possessed Ash pushes Scott aside (and this is all with his very deep voice), Scott's only conclusion is that, Ash has a bad cold.
Don't Touch It, You Idiot!: Brandon warned Ash to not be reckless. Unfortunately, Ash finding the stone Pokeball and asking Ho-oh to appear awakened the spirit of the evil king.
Fight Off the Kryptonite: Brandon's Regirock has to endure several super effective Leaf Blade attacks from Sceptile. The onslaught almost knocked Regirock to its knees!
Human Shield: The possessed Ash orders Sceptile to use the referee as one when Brandon calls for Regirock to use a Hyper Beam. Fortunately, Brandon calls off the attack before it hits.
"I Know You're in There Somewhere" Fight: Ash gets possessed by the spirit of an evil king and Brandon decides to save him by battling him. Despite being able to break free for a brief moment before the evil king possessed him again and Brandon won the battle, Ash was able to break free when he heard Pikachu calling out to him, allowing him to get his partner to use Thunderbolt on him, freeing him from the spirit's control and allowing Brandon to seal it away.
Mood Whiplash: The serious A-plot of Ash being possessed and Brandon fighting to save him sharply contrasts with the goofy B-plot of Team Rocket trying to get their hands on Ho-oh and getting attacked by various other Pokémon.
My Master, Right or Wrong: Sceptile is visibly appalled by "Ash's" tactics, but he still obeys his trainer.
Nobody Calls Me "Chicken"!: When Brandon calls the King of Pokélantis a coward, Ash gets angry and momentarily breaks through. Unfortunately, it doesn't last.
Ordered to Cheat: Essentially what the King of Pokélantis does while he is possessing Ash and giving Sceptile orders. He uses very dirty tactics and is blatantly cheating, such as telling Sceptile to use Bullet Seed on the ceiling and bury Regirock in rubble, or using the referee as a Human Shield, all of which are tactics Ash would never use himself. Sceptile is shown to be shocked by his "trainer's" orders and is momentarily hesitant to obey them, but unfortunately does so regardless.
Raiders of the Lost Parody: Ash picking up an idol and setting off a rolling boulder trap. Fortunately, they don't have to outrun said boulder once Brandon has his Regirock smash it to pieces.
Roboteching: Thanks to a Lock-On placed by Brandon's Regirock, its Hyper Beam manages to home in on Sceptile by going up and then curving in the air.
Sealed Evil in a Can: Or in this case "Sealed Evil in a Poké Ball. The king of Pokélantis, whom Ash accidentally releases.
What the Hell, Hero?: Brandon tells Ash off for being stupid and for releasing the king of Pokélantis.
