After Team Rocket took Ditto and ran away, Duplica was still a bit anxious, but Ash reassured her, saying, "Don't worry, everything is going according to plan. Your Ditto won't be lost, and this time we should be able to use Team Rocket's help to teach it how to transform properly."
"Huh?"
Upon hearing Ash say this, Duplica was taken aback. Lyn then approached and asked, "So you had us cooperate in the performance just to lure Team Rocket out?"
It turned out that earlier, when Ash controlled Lyn, Suzy, and Misty, it was all an act. Lyn realized Ash's intention while he had her in his grasp, so she didn't resist. Suzy and Misty also cooperated once they received a knowing glance from Ash. As for Brock, he genuinely didn't catch on and ended up getting hit.
"Ash, why did you have us pretend to be under your control?"
Although she cooperated with Ash, Misty still didn't quite understand what he was up to. Ash helplessly explained, "It's all for Ditto. Actually, making Ditto transform properly is straightforward; all it needs is a little tough love."
"Pika!" (But Duplica is clearly not a strict trainer!)
"We can act as the bad guys, Duplica; you'll definitely want to stop Meowth from doing anything."
"So let Team Rocket play the bad guys, and I've already set up the transmitter. Come out, Pidgeot and Dragonite!"
"Pidge!" (What's up, boss?)
"Grrr?" (Are we causing trouble?)
"Dragonite, can you grow a bit larger and carry us to find Team Rocket? Pidgeot, take Brock with you."
Upon hearing Ash's arrangement, Brock responded with a look of disbelief directed at Ash.
"Ash, you're being too harsh!"
"Who told you to perform so poorly? Even my girlfriend advised me to keep an eye on you, so don't follow my example!"
With that, Brock felt as if he'd been stabbed in the heart. He dropped to his knees and said, "So I'm really that useless? Have I become a negative example?"
Seeing Brock downcast, Ash tossed a Bitter Berry to Pidgeot, saying, "Thanks for your hard work, Pidgeot. Just fly him along."
"Pidge!"
Then, as Ash and the others enjoyed a comfortable flight on Dragonite, Brock was carried by Pidgeot, dangling below like he was being held up by a string.
Meanwhile, Team Rocket was attempting to get Ditto to transform into a Dratini, and their goal was simply to please Giovanni.
With the three villains staring at Ditto, it was shivering in fear. Now that Duplica was gone, it didn't know what to do. Just then, Jessie pulled out a photo and said, "Before you turn into a Dratini, could you please transform into this person as an adult?"
Meowth sneakily glanced at the photo and grinned, saying, "Oh? It's a boy, huh?"
Jessie, caught red-handed, blushed and replied, "This is my first crush! Come on, Ditto!"
"Mah mah!"
Ditto looked at the photo and nodded, then transformed into the person in the picture, only with the eyes of an Electrode!
"Hahaha! That's hilarious! Hahaha!"
Listening to the laughter of James and Meowth, Jessie rolled her eyes and said, "...Forget it. Just transform into a Dratini directly."
"Mah mah!"
Ditto looked at the picture Jessie pointed to, nodded again, then transformed into a book!
Jessie stared at Ditto's ridiculous performance and turned into a raging ghost, shouting, "You brat! Are you messing with me? I swear if you don't transform properly, you'll be sorry!"
Then, possibly out of personal vendetta, Ditto's brutal training began.