01x09 - The School of Hard Knocks

[bunniefuu]

[UPBEAT ROCK MUSIC]

[SINGING]
-I want to be the very best

Like no one ever was

To catch them is my real test

To train them is my cause

I will travel across the land

Searching far and wide

Each Pokémon to understand

The power that's inside

Pokémon, gotta catch 'em all

It's you and me

[CRASH!]

I know it's my destiny

Pokémon

Oh, you're my best friend

In a world we must defend

Pokémon, gotta catch 'em all

A heart so true

Our courage will pull us through

You teach me and I'll teach you

Pokémon

Gotta catch 'em all

Gotta catch 'em all

Pokémon

Narrator:
As our story continues,

we once again find our friends
traveling together

on their Pokémon journey
in perfect harmony.

I'm not letting you
out of my sight, Ash Ketchum,

until you pay
for my broken bike.

"My bike! My bike!"

That's all I ever hear from you.

Right!

And my name may be Misty,

but I'm perfectly clear
about what you owe me,

and you're not gonna get away
without paying.

Maybe if you two
had spent less time arguing

and paid more attention
to where we're going,

we'd already be
in Vermilion City by now.

Come on, we're already late.

We've got to start the show.

Chu!

I think we all need
a little break.

Why don't I just throw
a little something together?

Ahh, there's nothing
as satisfying

as a cup
of % Cerulean coffee.

You kids are too young
for this stuff,

but it's really quite good.

How about some prune juice?

I think I'll pass.

How about some herbal tea?

You must be kidding.

Not so fast, Ash.

I brought my official
Pokémon tea set!

Now, of course, the key to good
tea and coffee is good water,

and I just happen to have
a generous supply

of sparkling, delicious
Mt. Moon pure spring water!

[WITH FRENCH ACCENT]
And for the special snack,

I have for you
some French crepes.

[GASPS]

I love French things.

They're so romantic,
aren't they?

[CRUNCHING]

Smack!

All that crunching and slurping

is ruining
my romantic daydreams!

-By the way.
-Huh?

I can't cook crepes,
and I can't boil water

if I don't have a fire!

One of you is going
to have to go into the forest

and carry back some firewood.

That's a very excellent idea,
Brock,

and I'm willing to sacrifice

the excitement
of searching for firewood

to stay here
and keep you company.

Well, I guess that means that...

Yeah, I'm going.

[SIGHS]

Here, firewood!

Here, firewood!

No firewood here, Pikachu.

Why do I have
to do all the dirty-

-Pika pi.
Pikachu.

Huh?

Hey, looks like a fire.

All right,
what's the name of this one!

Is it a Zubat?

Listen, just because
it's foggy out here

doesn't mean your brain
has to be in a fog.

It's a Pidgey.

-Nice guess.
You just got lucky.

Okay, now tell us
what its special attack is.

Pidgey's attack is Gust.

At level , Sand Attack.

At level -

-Everybody knows that.

Now can you just tell me
at which level Pidgey evolves,

and what's the name
of Pidgey's advanced stage?

Um...

You better come up
with answers quick,

or you'll have to run faster.

[PANTING]

Ahh-Oh!

[GROANING]

I'm sorry.

I forgot.

[ALL SIGH]

You forgot.

Huh.

And you call yourself
a Pokémon Tech student.

Well, we don't want to study
with the likes of you.

I'm sorry.

Hey, leave that kid alone.

What's going on here?

There's nothing going on here.

Mind your your own business.

This is a private
training session.

There's no room
in our Pokémon school

for losers who don't even know
Pidgey's evolved stage.

We have to maintain standards.

I don't know anything
about this school of yours,

but if it's turning out
students like you,

I'd have to say the standards
are pretty low.

-That's right, Ash.
You tell them!

Misty?

You better stop
bullying that kid,

or you'll have to answer
to us, right, Ash?

Misty, you stay out of this.

Leave it to me.

You're right, Ash.

There's no reason for both of us
to get into a fight.

It's very brave of you
to take on all five by yourself.

[CHUCKLES]

I'll be here on the sidelines,
cheering you on,

waiting to drag
your carcass away at the end.

Show them you're a man, Ash!

We don't fight.

Fighting is for cavemen.

This isn't
the Stone Age, you know.

And if we wasted our time

having a fight
with a little insect like you,

it'd just make Pokémon Tech
look really bad.

We'll see you
back at the Tech, Joe.

Okay.

Hey, maybe you cowards
are just afraid

to fight someone like me.

The only thing we're afraid of

is how badly we'd beat
a little punk like you.

[LAUGHS]

Who do those guys
think they are?

So those are
the infamous Tech students.

Tech students?

Pokémon Tech.

I think it's short
for Pokémon Technical,

a school for Pokémon trainers.

I know I had
a flyer here somewhere.

Yeah, here it is.

A Pokémon school
in the middle of nowhere?

Hmm, let's see what
it says here about the place.

"Pokémon Technical institute-

a boarding school for serious
Pokémon trainer preparation.

All students guaranteed

to enter Pokémon League
upon graduation.

Pokémon Technical
is the educational facility

for exceptional students

who want to become Pokémon
trainers in a very short time

without having to travel

"on difficult
badge-collecting journeys."

[WHIMPERING]

Oh, so that's the story.

Getting into the Pokémon
League without badges

is too easy.

Wait, there's more.

"Students entrance fees
and tuition

are in keeping
with the highest standards

set by Pokémon Technical."

You know what that means,
don't you?

It's one of those snobby
private schools

only millionaires' kids
can go to.

Oh, that really makes me mad.

Where is this place, anyway?

-It's right over there.
-Huh?

Today's special class,
fog battle techniques,

is now ended.

Tomorrow's lesson will be
snow competition secrets.

-[SIGHS]
Oh, well.

I guess tomorrow

they'll make me
into a snowman again.

Do they treat you like that
all the time?

My friends are just
trying to help me.

You call them friends?

With friends like that,
who needs enemies?

But they helped me learn

that Pidgey evolves
to Pidgeotto at level ,

it learns Whirlwind at level ,

Wing Attack at level ,

and that as its level rises,
it learns various tricks.

After evolving to Pidgeot,

it can fly at , meters
and speeds of up to Mach .

I don't get it.

If you know
everything about Pidgey,

why didn't you just
answer them before?

Sometimes I make believe that
I don't know all the answers,

because if I do, they make
the questions that much harder.

But I have to stay here
at Pokémon Tech.

My mother and father
worked hard and saved money

so they could pay
to send me to school here.

You see that guy over there?

He's an upperclassman.

The classes are so hard here,

some students are held back
for many years.

Everybody's too ashamed to go
home without getting a diploma.

That guy, he's in
the beginners' class with me.

You're a beginner?

Beginners have
the same qualifications

as someone with two badges,

the intermediate class
has the qualifications of four,

and advanced students
have the same as six.

If you graduate, you can
enter the Pokémon League

without traveling around
to collect the badges.

That guy's a beginner,
but he's so much older

than everybody in the class,

the kids don't bother
to help him like they help me.

What do the teachers say
about that kind of help?

They don't even know about it,

or if they do,
they pretend not to.

Well, I for one think

this is a violation
of students' rights

that must stop immediately,
if not sooner.

I want to meet the student
in charge of this system,

and I'll see that it stops!

Mm, here's a picture.

-Huh?
It's a girl?

Oh, yeah,
you're right about that.

She can violate my rights if-

-Hey!

If she's making
your life so miserable,

how come you're carrying
her picture around?

I hate the way she treats us,
but I like the way she looks.

Yeah, not like some other girls

who treat you bad
and look even worse.

While you two are slobbering
over that dopey picture,

I'm gonna find this little witch
and straighten her out.

Miss top student.
What's so great about her?

Hey, Misty, wait.

That place
brings back memories, James.

It certainly does, Jessie,
and all of them are awful.

Tell me your tale
of failure again.

We studied for the big test...

So sure we would beat
all the rest.

And here's the part
I like the best.

We frolicked that night,
for our future seemed bright.

But things weren't right.

BOTH: We got the lowest scores
in the history of the school.

You should look
on the bright side.

Both:
What's the bright side?

At least you guys
were the top of the bottom.

You're the tops, Meowth.

Such a kind little Pokémon.

These two are worse off
than I thought.

I liked it better
when they were nasty.

ALL: Who's that Pokémon?

It's Cubone!

Cubone, bone, bone.

Giselle always
practices here by herself.

Even if you beat her in a fight,
it won't matter to her.

At the tech, it's your skill
as a Pokémon trainer

that counts more than winning
in any one battle.

That's what I'm hoping,
because I've got two badges.

But Giselle is the top
beginner here at the Tech.

That's better than even
having three badges.

Even though I'm
at the bottom of my class,

I'm still more powerful
than someone with two badges.

Hold on a second here.

I learned
how to be a Pokémon trainer

at the Cerulean City gym.

Are you saying you can beat me?

Oh, Cerulean City.

Water Pokémon.

How'd you know?

I always beat them
on the simulator.

See?

What is this?

A simulation's one thing,
but this is real life.

Let's battle.

You'll be sorry.

[BOTH GRUNTING]

What do you two
have to battle for?

Butt out, Ash.

I have the Cerulean City gym's
reputation to defend,

and I'm gonna defend it.

Misty calls

Starmie!

Too bad your water Pokémon
won't be able to beat my plant.

All right, Weepinbell,

Let's go!

Bell.

I'll teach him about Pokémon.

Starmie, go!

Ooh.

Huh?

Oh, but Weepinbell is strong
against water Pokémon.

True, but there's one thing
you didn't know.

Your opponent's
from the Cerulean City gym.

Her Pokémon has much more
experience battling.

You should've known that.

You're an embarrassment
to the whole school.

But, Giselle-

-She's really pretty, isn't she?

Yeah, just like a movie star.

They like stars, do they?

I'll be glad
to show them some stars.

I'm the top student
in the beginning class

of the most exclusive
prep school in the world,

Pokémon Tech.

It's sad that others
aren't blessed

with my beauty, my talent,
my humble attitude.

People call me a star,

but I'm just Giselle.

I think she's
even more conceited than we are.

Yes, but she's awfully cute,
isn't she?

Not as cute as Meowth.

Oh, you're in the way.

Stop bothering us!

Meowth!

I want to continue
to help my classmates

be the very best they can be-

To teach each other,
respect each other,

and insure
the Pokémon of tomorrow-

But you're a weakling.

Uh.

You'd better get stronger fast,

or before you know it,

your fellow students
will turn their backs on you

for good.

Hmm.

Not so fast.

A true friend wouldn't walk away

from someone
who needs their help.

You may look beautiful, but you
remind me of an old saying

about how beauty's
only skin deep.

Jealousy's not
very pretty either, is it?

I better do something.

Wise Pokémon trainers never
get involved in a cat fight.

Huh?

Against your water Pokémon,
I'll choose...

Graveler.

Go!

Graveler?

But rock Pokémon
are weak against water Pokémon.

But my Pokémon
are at such an advanced level,

they can beat water Pokémon.

[GRUNTS]

[GRUNTS]

[GEM SHATTERS]

I can't believe it.

Now we're by the pool,
your Pokémon's specialty.

You can use a different
water Pokémon if you want.

Oh, and I'm sure
you'll choose another Pokémon

that's weak against water.

Pokémon are only as strong
as the trainer who raises them.

A Pokémon that's weaker but
better-trained can still win.

It depends on the trainer.

I hope you're learning something
from this, Joe.

A Pokémon's level of training
is just as important a factor

as a Pokémon's type
in deciding a match.

A first-class Pokémon trainer
can calculate that.

Wait a minute.

There's more to Pokémon training
than calculating levels.

Who are you?

I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet,

and I've already got two badges.

[LAUGHS]

In other words,
you're a beginner.

And how long
have you been trying

to become a Pokémon trainer?

Um,

about two months, I guess.

[GASPS]

Two whole months, and you let
your Pikachu walk free?

You haven't even
been able to tame it yet?

Maybe your Pokémon
are training you.

Chu!

I don't want to train Pikachu!

Pikachu's my friend,

and so are Butterfree
and Pidgeotto.

-Is that all you have?
-Huh?

That's funny, because
even new Pokémon trainers

usually have
at least six Pokémon,

and you got two badges
with only three.

He sure was lucky, wasn't he?

Every one of mine
has the power of two!

I wonder-with two months
of Pokémon experience,

your Pikachu should
be at least at level ,

but it's probably
not there yet, is it?

I suppose you didn't know
very much about Pokémon

if you picked a Pikachu
as your first one.

Pikachu tend
to be hard to handle.

It says so in any
beginning Pokémon manual.

[GASPS]

You really didn't know?

And you still got two badges?

How funny!

A Pikachu evolves into an
electric Pokémon called Raichu.

"It gets to be about ' " tall.

Pikachu can shock you,
but otherwise,

it's pretty cute,
don't you think?

So if you don't let them evolve,

they make great pets,
especially for little girls,

but I'm sure you knew that,
didn't you?

Really?
You didn't?

And you have two badges?

[LAUGHS]

Knock it off!

-Pikachu.
-Let's battle.

For your Pikachu, this
should be more than a match.

Cubone, go!

Cubone, bone, bone, bone.

Cubone.
Cubone.

This Pikachu is my friend,

and it's different
from any other Pikachu.

Shock Attack!

Pow!

Cubone, bone, bone,
bone, bone, bone, bone.

Cubone.

-What?
-Pika?

Pikachu can't shock it.

Cubone, start things off
with your Leer Attack.

Cu-bone!

-Pika.
Chu?

[WARBLES]

Pikachu, stare it down.

Like this!

Cu?

Cubone.

[WARBLES]

Cubone, cubone.

Cubone, Bone Club now!

Bone!

Hey, that's not fair.

I'm not playing around.

This isn't a staring contest.

This is a contest of power
and skill between two Pokémon.

Cubone, it's time
for the Bonemerang now!

-Cubone!
Cu bone!

Pika chu!

[GASPS]

Pikachu!

Throwing that bone
is a cheap way to win.

Well, that's Cubone's
special attack.

It's authorized
by the Pokémon League,

and it's perfectly legal.

It's still a cheap trick.

Pikachu?

-Cubone!
Cu bone!

Oh, Pikachu!

Cubone.

Calling it a cheap trick

simply proves
your own ignorance.

[GRUNTS]

Hang in there, Pikachu.

If your opponent's attack
is authorized,

then fighting back is too.

Give it your best shot.

Come on, Pikachu.

Bonemerang, now!

Cu bone!

Chu!

[GASPS]

-Go on, Pikachu.
Give it everything you've got.

Pika!

Cubone!

-Pika!
Pika!

Pika!
Pika!

-Bone, bone, bone, bone.
Cubone.

-Pika!
-Ahh!

[GROANS]

Cubone!

-We did it!
-Pika!

I lost.

Cubone, good try.

Come on back.
Don't cry.

Cubone.

You'll be okay now.

None of the textbooks
ever mention a Pikachu winning

by anything
other than electricity.

That was
a once-in-a-lifetime battle.

And don't try to copy it.

It was just kind of a fluke.

It was a cool fluke, wasn't it?

There's another way to win

that's not in the textbooks too,
isn't there, James?

Let's show them.

I can't believe I lost a match.

Huh?
-Oh no, it's not-

BOTH: Allow us
to reintroduce ourselves.

To protect the world
from devastation.

To unite all peoples
within our nation.

To denounce the evils
of truth and love.

To extend our reach
to the stars above.

-Jessie.
-James.

Team Rocket, blast off
at the speed of light.

Surrender now
or prepare to fight.

Meowth!

I love a splashy entrance.

I've heard of Team Rocket.

You're the ones who got
the worst grades ever

on the entrance exam.

How about your team
versus our team?

-Yeah.
-Yeah.

The two of us
against all of them?

But the rules say one on one!

Bad guys
don't play by the rules.

Get 'em!

[GRUNTING AND YELLING]

Too many Pokéballs!

From now on,
we play by the rules!

At least for a little while.

BOTH: Looks like Team Rocket's
blasting off again.

There are some things
you just can't learn in school,

and that's a good lesson.

I'm going back home

to start from scratch
with my first Pokémon,

just like Ash did.

Hey, Giselle, maybe we'll meet
someday in the Pokémon League.

I hope so.

I'll try my hardest to be
a worthy opponent if we do.

All right if I keep
your picture with me?

Sure.

I have pictures
of my friends too.

-Huh?
Do you have mine?

We're friends now, aren't we?

Good luck, Joe.

You too, Giselle.

See, why can't
you and I be like that, Misty?

-Huh?
I'll tell you exactly why.

Because he doesn't
owe her a bike!

[LAUGHS]

So maybe we'll battle
each other again someday.

I sure hope so.

Me too.

NARRATOR: So as Ash
and his friends journey on,

they take one last look
at the school

where they learned so much.

Don't go away.

The Pokérap is next.

Pokémon!

Pokémon.

Attention, all Pokémon trainers.

Do you got
what it takes to be the best?

Today, we'll do Pokémon.

It's the ultimate test.

[SINGING]
-Gotta catch 'em all

Gotta catch 'em all

Gotta catch 'em all,
gotta catch 'em all

At least or more to see

to be a Pokémon master
is my destiny

Not bad. not bad.

Hey, don't get cocky.

Tomorrow's the hardest part.

We're on our way
up to Pokémon.

There's no stopping us.

[SINGING]
-Catch 'em, catch 'em

Gotta catch 'em all,

Gotta catch 'em all, Pokémon

Catch 'em, catch 'em,
gotta catch 'em all

Gotta catch 'em all, Pokémon

Catch 'em, catch 'em,
gotta catch 'em all

Pokémon

[UPBEAT ROCK MUSIC]

[SINGING]
-I want to be the very best

Like no one ever was

To catch them is my real test

To train them is my cause

I will travel across the land

Searching far and wide

Each Pokémon to understand

The power that's inside

Pokémon, Gotta catch 'em all

It's you and me

[CRASH!]

I know it's my destiny

Pokémon

Oh, you're my best friend

In a world we must defend

Pokémon, gotta catch 'em all

A heart so true

Our courage will pull us through

You teach me and I'll teach you

Pokémon

Gotta catch 'em all

Gotta catch 'em all

Pokémon