Ep 38. A Young Royal Flame Ignites!

Ash and his friends arrive at the Alola Royal Observatory, where they meet Nanu and Sophocles' cousin, the princess of the observatory. The princess is a young trainer who dreams of becoming the Alola Champion, but her overbearing mother prevents her from pursuing her dream. However, when the princess's Charmander goes missing, she sneaks out of the observatory to find it.

Meanwhile, a group of Team Skull grunts approach the observatory and begin wreaking havoc. Ash and the others try to stop them, but are overwhelmed. Just as things seem dire, the princess returns, riding on the back of a Charizard that she borrowed from the observatory's Charizard breeding program. The Charizard easily dispatches the Team Skull grunts, impressing everyone.

The princess reveals that Charmander had run off to a nearby volcano, and she and Charizard set off to retrieve it. Ash and the others decide to help, and they all head to the volcano. Along the way, they encounter a young girl who is searching for her missing Fletchinder. She joins forces with them, and together they explore the lava-filled caverns of the volcano.

As they navigate the perilous terrain, the princess and Charizard suddenly disappear. Ash and the others split up to search for them, and Ash encounters a strange man who seems to know something about the princess's past. He reveals that the princess has great potential as a trainer, but her mother has kept her hidden away from the world.

Ash is determined to help the princess fulfill her dream, and he and the others eventually find her and Charizard. They also find Charmander, who has evolved into a powerful Charizard after being exposed to the volcano's intense heat. The group battles against the strange man and his Pokémon, but are finally able to defeat him.

In the end, the princess's mother arrives and reveals that she has been keeping her daughter hidden away to protect her from danger. However, she sees how much the princess has grown as a trainer and allows her to continue pursuing her dream. With newfound determination and a powerful new Pokémon, the princess sets out to become the Alola Champion.