Recap: The Apple Corp

Hello again. By the time you read this; I will be on Christmas vacation. Given how past holiday seasons have turned out rather well; I thought I would do some recaps that are equal parts presents to myself and to you all. It also happens that I managed to find a silly little Johto filler for my Chinese Zodiac theme; this time with rats! While Pichu may be once again fudging the rules a bit; I thought it would be nice to share something that my 10-year-old self found quite amusing. So, let’s open up the “The Apple Corp,” regardless of whether it’s being run by someone played by Michael Fassbender, Leonardo DiCaprio, or even Ashton Kutcher! 

We open on Ash, Misty, and Brock continuing on their journey across the Johto region when Pikachu smells something delicious.

Ash concurs, and they come across a large apple orchard. While everyone thinks it looks delicious; they decide against having a taste for the obvious reason it doesn’t belong to them. Now those berries that grow outside each city: those are usually up for grabs even if the citizens have yet to master the concept of a deadbolt.

One by one, the apples start disappearing; and Pikachu is fingered as the culprit! Brock then tries to come onto the farm girl. 

Ash then examines the teeth marks on the apple; and determines that Pikachu couldn’t have made them, since his teeth are wider than the bite marks!

The farm girl, Charlene; invites everyone into her home, and points out that it’s time for the harvest; which means it won’t be easy on her own to gather the apples in the orchard!

Which means, say it with me now: She needs help. They’re the only ones who can do it, they don’t have the time in their schedule; but they’re going to anyway! See, I knew you could do it.

With baskets on their backs; Charlene points out the noisemakers she rigged to trip up any thieves after her crops.

Of course, Meowth uses this claw to bypass the noisemakers; and gather more of the apples as well!

Then, Meowth has the apple he ripped off get ripped off!

The noisemakers all start going off at once, just as some little yellow thieves are leaping across the trees! 

COULD YOU TRY NOT TO HIT EVERY SINGLE ONE?!

Pikachu catches up to the Pichu; and promptly chastises him and his comrades for their actions.

Pikachu! (Translation: Explain yourselves, or I'll bury you deeper than Super Mystery Dungeon buried Yo-Kai Watch!)

However, it turns out there’s a whole bunch of Pichu around; and they’re in danger of a Fearow!

Ash scans the Pichu with his Pokédex, confirming that they’re Pikachu’s pre-evolution; and can’t attack without shocking themselves! It’s true, and I’m glad they finally removed that mechanic in games from X and Y onward.

Even so, it still remains when they try to hold off the Fearow; only having the ability to stun it before getting tuckered out!

Pikachu saves them; and the Pichu return the apples out of gratitude. However, Charlene agrees to let them have some of the apples due to wild fruit being scarcer than usual. This also presents a conundrum: if they partake, will they be willing to leave?

More on that later, as Team Rocket starts formulating a plot to take the apples for themselves!

Back at the orchard; Ash starts leading the Pichu with his Pikachu to protect the fruit from a bunch of Pidgey. 

Pikachu then shows the Pichu how to gather the fruit for everyone! That way, they all get something to eat; and everyone gets their share!

Charlene is quite pleased with the help from the Pichu; and rewards them with fresh apple slices!

Just then, Team Rocket comes in with a plan to seize the apples and the Pichu with a giant vacuum; or as they call it, their Super Sucker! 

Commence operation Vacu-Suck!

They nip Pikachu, and start sucking the electricity from him; which powers all their gadgets! Also, am I the only one that finds it weird that James is somehow watching a Pokémon anime on his TV in THIS Pokémon anime? It’d be like Mario playing a Mario game in his timeline! … We’ll talk in a little while.

In moments, Pikachu is totally drained, and they enact the next phase of their plan.

They start gathering the apples with their device!

Everyone calls them on their behavior, saying this will not stand! This aggression will not stand, man!

The Pichu try to help, but they’re not strong enough!

Then, they switch their machine from suck to blow; but the Pichu are undeterred! 

One by one, they form a chain and power up Pikachu with the last of their strength!

With his energy recharged, Pikachu gleefully smiles in satisfaction!

Their combined strength is enough to send Team Rocket blasting off! How unprofessional. You should always get a good surge protector for your devices.

While everyone is a little cooked, they’re OK. With all this said and done, everyone continues along their way!

“The Apple Corp” is one of the more delightfully silly Johto fillers that I enjoyed in my youth. While one Pichu is always pretty fun for me; a whole gaggle of them is much more so. I can see why I breed so many of them; and plan on Wonder Trading them as gifts for any new trainers this Christmas.

With oxen being next in the cycle after rats; check back soon for my look at “Baffling the Bouffalant!” See you, space cowboy!