Misty: You're out of your mind! There is no way in Hell you can defeat Merlin!
Ash: How would you know?
Brock: IT'S A FACT!!!
Ash: So what? This isn't the first time I've been here. I know how tough he is. (goes up to the main office and asks for Merlin Durai)
Secretary: Actually, Merlin wanted to have a word with you. Something about...
Ash: A word with me? (jumps up) YES!!! I'll be there!
Secretary: Don't you want to know...?
Ash: (runs down the hall and plows into Merlin on his way out of the gym).
Ow! (looks up) Ho boy. (gets down on knees) Please forgive me.
Merlin: (pulls Ash to his feet) Geez, Ash, don't grovel. I'm just a man, you know. Did the secretary tell you to see me?
Ash: (rubs back of his neck) Well, she did but...
Merlin: (sighs) But you're here for another match?
Ash: (blushes) Yeah. Kind of...
Merlin: (pulls Ash into the gym) Ash, it's clear that you're determined to get a Phoenix Badge, but I cannot recommend you get it now. The league hates me, remember? Once you get your badge, you won't be competing in the league.
Ash: I know. But if I can get my badge I won't need to compete.
Merlin: (wipes his face). I'll tell you what. Why don't we make a bet.
Remember your pokemon charizard that won't obey you?
Ash: (Reminiscing) Oh yeah. Those were the painful times.
Merlin: Well, how about this. You go out into the gym, call out charizard, and try with all your strength to get him to obey you. If he obeys you before an hour passes, I'll give you a Phoenix Badge. However, if he doesn't I'll do the taming for you. Agreed?
Ash: (shakes Merlin's hand) You're on! Runs out onto the stage.
Misty: (walking up) Ash taming charizard on his own. This ought to be rich.
Ash: CHARIZARD! GO!
Charizard: Char! (curls up his wings and goes to sleep)
Ash: (groans) That didn't take long! Charizard. Oh, for Christ's sake! At least open your eyes!
Charizard: (yawns and covers his eyes with his wings)
Ash: Oh, you son of a [profanity]! What the [profanity] is wrong with you?!!
Brock: (blushes) I didn't know Ash even knew those words.
Ash: (screaming) GET UP!!! GET UP AND DO SOMETHING!!!
Charizard: Chaaaaar.... (gets up and eyes Ash). Char....
Ash: Thank you. (to Merlin) You see. He obeyed me...
Charizard: CHAAAARRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!! (the flames clear and a burnt outline of Ash remains.)
Ash: (stuttering) Oh.... That.... Hurt..... (faints)
(ONE HOUR LATER) Ash: [profanity] you Charizard! [profanity] you for life!
Merlin: Stop swearing Ash. Your time is up.
Ash: (sighs) Alright. (takes out the pokeball) Charizard...
Charizard: CHAAARRRRRRR!!!!! (both Ash and Merlin are caught in the flame. Ash faints and Merlin clenches his fists.)
Merlin: Charizard. Get your [profanity] over here right now.
Charizard: (walks over cockily) Char char charizard!
Merlin: (grabs Charizard's tail) Don't ever. Do that. (throws Charizard
over his shoulder) AGAIN! Do you hear! (slams Charizard into the floor
left and right by his tail) Never! Ever! Do that! AGAIN!!! Do I make
myself CLEAR! Never! Do that! AGAIN! (the final slam creats a crater in
the floor)
Secretary: (from below) Merlin, we're running low on funds as it is!
Ash/Misty/Brock: (groaning) Oh man. That had to hurt.
Charizard: (stumbles to his feet) Ch-ch-char...izard. (limps towards Ash) Char.... Char.... Choyrzrd..... (walks up beside Ash and puts one of his wings around his shoulder)
Ash: Huh?
Charizard: Char chari char charizard.... {Translates to: Oh! Please forgive me!} (faints)
And so, from that day forward, Charizard never disobeyed Ash Kechum ever again. Thanks be to the Magi.