<P> Throughout the series, Ash's primary enemies are a Pokémon crime organization called Team Rocket, specifically the two comical and bumbling members, Jessie and James, and their talking Meowth, who is essentially the third member of the group . Ever since being defeated by Ash's Pikachu in the second episode, "Pokémon Emergency!", the three of them have obsessively never stopped chasing after them to steal Ash's Pikachu, maintaining the delusion that Pikachu is abnormally powerful and presenting it to their criminal boss would make them very rich . As the enduring comical villains of the series, the Team Rocket trio occasionally show signs of goodness, such as care and friendship with their Pokémon and each other, and despite their constant antagonism, they occasionally put their differences aside and work together with Ash against a common threat, such as in Pokémon: The Movie 2000, where they aid Ash in retrieving the three treasures in order to save the world . </P> <P> During his travels, Ash still had a lot to learn as a trainer . He caught his Pokémon by merely befriending them, knew absolutely nothing about battling, and many of his gym badges were earned rather controversially . In fact, the only legitimate victories were over Lt. Surge, Koga, and Blaine, while the others were earned on technical convenience or given to him out of gratitude . Ash also shows a deep love for Pokémon in the series, protecting wild Pokémon or his own from getting injured or trying to help them, despite getting significantly hurt himself . He honed his skill as a Pokémon trainer and was able to get all 8 badges, enabling him to compete in the Indigo League . Ash was able to go to the 5th round, and achieve the Top 16--one round further than his competitive rival Gary, who finished in the Top 32 . However, due to his inexperience in handling his more powerful Pokémon, Ash was eliminated from his first Pokémon League competition in a very unflattering manner, which greatly disappointed him . </P> <P> Ash traveled to the Orange Islands with Misty and Tracey Sketchit, a Pokémon watcher, obtained all 4 badges, and competed in the Orange League to battle Drake, the Orange League Champion . Ash was able to win his battle against Drake, giving him his first League Championship as a Pokémon trainer . This particular Pokémon League exists only in the anime series, and not adapted from the video game series . </P> <P> He then traveled on to the Johto region with Brock and Misty, hoping to meet with Gary and finally defeat him in the Johto League . He won 8 badges and competed in the Johto Conference . Ash beat Gary again, in the 1st round of the conference, and was able to make it to the quarter - finals, and achieve Top 8 . However he lost against his new rival Harrison, in the 2nd round . Ash then moved on and traveled through the Hoenn region, along with Brock and two new characters, May, an aspiring Pokémon coordinator, and her younger brother Max, and together they ended up bringing down the rival teams, Team Magma and Team Aqua . He was able to get all 8 badges, and then competed in the Hoenn Conference . Ash was able to defeat his 1st new rival Morrison, in the 2nd round, also entering in the quarter - finals, and achieving Top 8 again . However he lost in the 3rd round against his 2nd new rival Tyson . </P>

Where does the last name ash come from