Duplica was the owner of the house where Ash and his friends sought shelter from the rain. She and her Ditto performed a mimicry show to provide some laughs and relaxation for travelers. However, despite Duplica's impressive mimicry skills, Ditto had a major flaw—it always transformed with its small eyes visible.
"What everyone wants to see is Ditto's perfect transformation, but there's always something wrong with its eyes. It turned into a Voltorb but ended up looking like the opposite of an Electrode. And in the end, it used Self-Destruct…"
"Excuse me, but isn't Self-Destruct a move for both Voltorb and Electrode?"
"That's not what I meant!"
"Check out my Headbutt!"
Just as Lyn was about to use her Headbutt to knock Ash out, he suddenly did something unexpected. He grabbed Lyn and held her in his arms, then turned to Duplica and asked, "What do you mean?"
"It means I want it to be able to perfectly imitate Pokémon! You saw how Ditto transformed but kept those little eyes in Pikachu's form."
Thinking back on the earlier transformation with the little eyes, Ash and the others nodded. It indeed didn't look good.
Holding Lyn as he looked at Ditto, Ash proposed, "How about I give it a try?"
"Hmm? How are you going to try?"
"What else? Of course, by using intimidation! Your Ditto is obviously spoiled. All it needs is a good beating, and it'll immediately learn perfect transformation. Don't worry; I'm very careful! Pikachu, Meowth, come on!"
"Pika?" (Is this really okay?)
Although Pikachu asked this, it already began gathering energy with its tail, while Meowth extended its claws and pointed at Ditto, saying, "This method may hurt, but it's definitely effective!"
"Mah mah!"
Seeing Pikachu and Meowth ready to attack, Ditto immediately ran behind Duplica, who instinctively protected her Pokémon.
"Don't use such violent methods!"
"No, this is the most effective method! Trust me; it'll be fine!"
"Why would I trust you?"
While Duplica was protecting her Ditto, Suzy approached to try and persuade Ash.
Before Suzy could finish her words, Ash caught her in his arms along with Lyn. Misty, seeing this, could only rush over to help.
"Ash, what are you doing?"
With Misty's self-entrapping move, the three of them were now completely under Ash's control.
"Alright, you all just sit tight and watch! Pikachu, Meowth, let's help Ditto learn the real transformation!"
"I'll stop you!"
Bam!
"Cough! Why do I have to deal with this..."
With Chansey's efforts and a well-timed move, Brock lay on the ground, his face turning green.
(Come on, Ash. It's clear he has his own agenda—don't bother him.)
"Okay, now that the nuisances are out of the way, let's go! Meowth, Chansey!"
"Wait a minute!"
Just as Pikachu and Meowth were about to deliver their lesson to Ditto, a heroic voice interrupted. Ash, looking a bit baffled, asked, "Who is it now?"
Jessie: "Since you've so sincerely given up…"
James: "I will generously let you know…"
Jessie: "To prevent the world from destruction!"
James: "To protect the peace of the world!"
Jessie: "To spread love and truth, the evil of…"
James: "Cute and enchanting villainy!"
Jessie: "Jessie!"
James: "James!"
Jessie: "We are Team Rocket, soaring through the galaxy!"
James: "A bright tomorrow awaits us!"
Meowth: "That's right!"
Seeing Team Rocket, Ash said somewhat speechlessly, "What are you three doing here?"
James and Jessie looked at Ash, noticing his odd position of hugging three people, and asked, "Compared to us, why are you holding them like that?"
"Oh, this? It just stopped raining, and it's a bit chilly—what's wrong with that?"
"…"
Hearing Ash's shameless words left everyone speechless, while Ash continued as if nothing was wrong. "So, what brings you three here? If you want to fight, I'm ready anytime."
Pikachu and Meowth exchanged glances with Ash, while Jessie and James took a step back. But then, James said, "Oh, we're not here for Pikachu this time."
"Exactly! Our target is that Ditto!"
As Meowth dashed forward and grabbed Duplica's Ditto, quickly retreating.
"My Ditto!"
Duplica hadn't expected that these three were after her Ditto. Just as she was about to chase after them, James threw out his Pokéball.
"Go, Weezing! Use Smokescreen!"
With Weezing unleashing its choking smoke, Ash glanced at Meowth. Meowth quickly responded by pulling out a fan and blowing the smoke away. However, when the smoke cleared, Team Rocket had already disappeared without a trace.
Seeing this, Ash smiled and said, "The plan was a success!"