Ep 1. Fear Factor Phony!

Ash and his friends arrive in a forest where they see a Yanma being chased by a Fearow. They rush to its aid and the Fearow soon flies away. Yanma, grateful, attaches itself to Ash's cap. They proceed further and reach a clearing in the forest where they notice a giant tree.

As they try to enter the clearing, they are informed by a security guard that they cannot enter as the place is reserved for a contest that is about to take place. Soon, a man named Forsyth and his two assistants, Pike Queen Lucy, and Team Rocket, arrive and are given permission to enter. Forsyth announces that it is an annual event where trainers compete by passing through obstacles and completing challenges.

Ash and his friends are told that if they want to participate, they must go through a preliminary qualifying round. Each participant is given a puzzle to solve and they must collect puzzle pieces from the given area. Ash and his friends solve the puzzle and qualify for the contest.

The challenges start and Ash and his friends are doing well until they encounter a Fear Factor Room, where they are told that they must encounter their worst fears and conquer them. Everyone except May and Ash is eliminated. The two of them continue and they are both asked to face their worst fears.

May is hesitant but Ash is determined and heads into the challenge. Meanwhile, May, Brock, and Max watch the TV monitor as Ash completes the challenge. Soon they notice that a Fearow has attacked Ash and Yanma. They try to rescue them but are stopped by the security guard.

Ash and Yanma have to fight the Fearow, which is an intimidating opponent. They fight bravely and manage to defeat the Fearow. The battle is intense and Ash and Yanma are heavily injured. Ash, despite being injured, manages to get back on his feet with Yanma and finish the contest. He is then declared the winner.

The prize for winning the contest is a badge and a trip to the next location where the contest will take place. They continue their journey, happy with the victory, and looking forward to the next contest.