Episode 9 – The School of Hard Knocks

Episode Summary

Season 1 – Indigo League

Our three heroes have lost their way in the depths of a dense wood, shrouded in thick, white mist. Momentarily giving up, they decide to break for a brief rest. As Ash wanders deeper into the wood, searching for firewood, he happens across a young boy being bullied by five classmates gathered around him. Eavesdropping on their conversation, Ash learns that the boys are attending a preparatory school for Pokémon trainers. Graduates from the school are automatically qualified to participate in the Pokémon League without undergoing any actual test of skill. Ash, Misty, and Brock head to the school and don’t agree with some of their ideas of training, something their “leader” doesn’t take well.

Full summary
Ash, Misty, Brock and Pikachu have been walking for a while and are very hungry, so they stop for a bite to eat. Brock says that he needs firewood, so Ash goes looking for some, but he instead runs into some kids. The other kids are calling a boy names, so Ash tells them to stop. While Ash is helping the kid up, one of the kids tells Ash to mind his own business. Ash says that he could beat them any day in a Pokemon battle, but they walk away instead.
When Ash and the kid (Joe) arrive back to where Brock and Misty are, Ash asks Joe who those kids were and he explains that they are his friends and they all go to the infamous Pokemon Tech. Brock explains that the school prepares you for Pokemon Training. He continues and says that after you pass, you are automatically entered into the Pokemon League, without even getting any badges. Ash is furious and asks Joe to take them to it and so he does.
When they arrive, Ash asks why Joe�s friends treat him bad and Joe responds by saying that they are only trying to help. Ash asks who the student in charge is and Joe shows him a picture of her. He says that her name is Giselle. Misty is furious and enters Pokemon Tech, followed by the others trying to look for her. They first look in the training room, but have no luck in finding Giselle.
While they are there, Joe says that at Pokemon Tech they learn more then from beating gym leaders. Misty takes that as an insult and they have a battle. Misty goes first and chooses Starmie. Joe thinks that he has the advantage and chooses a Weepinbell. Starmie attacks and knocks Weepinbell out with a water gun. Joe can�t understand how a grass type could lose to a water type, until Giselle comes in and explains how Misty�s Pokemon has more experience than his, so it has the upper hand.
Misty doesn't like Giselle, so she challenges her to a match, which she accepts. Misty chooses her Starmie again to battle and Giselle chooses her Graveler. Starmie tries to win with a water gun, but it has no effect, so Graveler tackles it smashing it through a window. Misty can�t believe that her Pokemon lost so badly. Giselle explains that a Pokemon�s level is just as important as its type. Ash then argues that there is more to training then levels and challenges her to a battle.
Ash chooses Pikachu and Giselle chooses a Cubone. Pikachu starts out by trying to hit Cubone with a Thunder Shock, but it blocks it and uses leer. Pikachu tries to counter it by staring Cubone down, but Cubon hits Pikachu in the face with its Bone Club and then hits Pikachu with a Bonemerang. Pikachu is hurt, but it somehow manages to get up and use its quick attack and finish Cubone off with a swift attack. Giselle can�t believe that her Cubone lost to an electric type Pokemon, but before Ash can say anything Team Rocket appears. Giselle recognises them right away as the people who got the worst grade ever at Pokemon Tech. Team Rocket says that they want Pikachu, but instead get hit by a lot of Pokeballs and run off.
At the end of the episode, Giselle and Joe both decide to return home and try to instead get into the Pokemon League by winning badges. Ash is happy and says that maybe they will meet again someday as he, Misty and Brock are walking back into the forest.

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