Pokemon Season 11 - Episode 518 – Throwing the Track Switch!

Ash and Dawn trade Aipom and Buizel to each other after Zoey tells them that Aipom was more interested in Dawn's contest training, just as Buizel is to Ash's gym training. Meanwhile, James struggles with giving his Cacnea to Gardenia for special training.

Pokemon Season 11 - Episode 517 – Once There Were Greenfields

Gardenia reappears in a town, organizing a special exhibition battle for the town's children. She teams herself with James of Team Rocket in a match against Ash and Dawn. She proposes that James should leave his Cacnea with her to train when he is unable to use it to its full potential. He eventually decides to accept the offer.

Pokemon Season 11 - Episode 516 – Tears for Fears

After a practice battle between Ash's Chimchar and Dawn's Piplup, Chimchar begins to cry because Ash was nice to it even though it lost, and Paul wasn't. Things get worse when a trio of Zangoose attack and Chimchar has to face its fear and eventually defeats them and overcomes its fear of Zangoose.

Pokemon Season 10 - Episode 515 – Smells Like Team Spirit!

Chimchar accepts Ash's invitation to join the team. Ash battles alongside Paul in the tournament semifinals against Brock and Holly. They quickly make it to the finals where they are matched against Dawn and Conway. Paul's Elekid evolves into Electabuzz. Ash and Paul win the tournament and both receive a Soothe Bell as a prize. Paul then gives his to Ash, claiming that he has no need for it.

Pokemon Season 10 - Episode 514 – Glory Blaze

The Hearthome City Pokémon Tag-Team battle tournament continues, as Paul forces Chimchar to fight well past its limit. Ash and Paul manage to make it to the semifinals of the tournament, thanks to Ash taking control of Chimchar when Paul refuses to give it commands; at sunset of the day before the semifinals, Paul released his Chimchar. So then, Ash invited Chimchar to join his team.