Episode 9: The School of Hard Knocks
After spending a day with Ash and Leaf, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel were preparing to head for Vermillion City. Before that, a girl went up to them and suggested that they visit a Pokémon fanatic named Bill. He lived in the Sea Cottage located in Route 25. She said he knows a lot about Pokémon as much as Professor Oak. Just as they walked down the streets of Cerulean City, an alley Meowth came their way.
"A Meowth," Sora said.
"Not Team Rocket's Meowth, at least," Kairi said. Sora took out his Pokédex and scanned it.
Meowth, the Scratch Cat Pokémon
Type: Normal
Meowth is normally a nocturnal Pokémon. If it spots a shiny object, its eyes glimmers and heads right towards it.
"Apparently, nobody told this Meowth its passed its bedtime if it comes out at night," Sora said. He took out a Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Paras!" His Pokéball opened and Paras emerged from inside. This draws in a crowd of people, passing by. "Paras! Use Scratch!" Paras heads towards Meowth to scratch the Scratch Cat Pokémon. Meowth heads towards Paras. Meowth's paws glow orange as it claps them together. When it claps, a large shockwave of air comes out of them, stopping Paras from attacking. Paras then flinched. "That was Fake Out. Meowth repeatedly slashes the Mushroom Pokémon with its front paws, leaving behind a white trail of energy. Paras rubbed its face. " That was Fury Swipes. Okay, Paras! Use Absorb!" Paras saps some of Meowth's energy and uses it to recover from his injuries. "Use Stun Spore!" Paras shakes his mushrooms and sends it right at Meowth, but it dodges by jumping. Meowth gave Paras another set of Fury Swipes. Paras's mushrooms shook and Meowth starts shaking.
"Sora, he's paralyzed! This is your chance!" Kairi said.
"Right! Paras! Use Scratch!" Sora ordered. Paras gave Meowth one more Scratch. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it. Meowth flows inside and the Pokéball wobbles around and around. The people watching were at awe at what they just saw. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Sora's Pokémon Box goes off asking him if he wants to keep Meowth with him. He chose to keep Meowth in exchange for Butterfree. The people were applauding Sora for the great catch.
"That kid is good," one man said.
"He caught that Meowth after Paras's Effect Spore kicked in," a random boy said. Sora chuckled nervously.
"It was nothing, folks," Sora said.
Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel took off before some of the local girls could crowd him. A little while later, they towards a bridge. A man walked up to the kids.
"Hey there! Welcome to the Nugget Bridge!" The man said.
"Nugget Bridge?" Sora and Kairi both asked in unison.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
"Eevee?" Angel asked.
"That's right. We have a small contest here. What you have to do is win five Pokémon battles in a row as you cross the bridge," the man explained.
"Okay, what's the catch?" Sora asked.
"No catch. All you gotta do is win the five battles, and you win a fabulous prize! And what that prize is, you ask. Well, you will have to win the five matches to find out! Five wins is all that's required," the man said.
"Okay, I get the picture. I just have to win five battles in a row," Sora said, feeling a bit annoyed. "I could use this as an excuse to have my new Meowth sharpen his claws."
"Glad to hear you're on board, kid! The Trainers are there, waiting for ya, so I'm rooting for you!" The man said.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel all headed towards the Nugget Bridge, and there a boy with a net is waiting for them.
"Welcome to Nugget Bridge. I'm number 1," the boy said.
"Um, thanks, I guess," Sora said.
"I can tell you're anxious to get this show on the road! So am I," the boy said, taking out a Pokéball that has a light blue top with black bands crossing it in a "net" pattern, often raised above the ball's surface. This Pokéball is a Net Ball. "So, go! Weedle!" The boy shouted, letting out his Weedle. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Meowth!" Sora called out. Meowth emerged from inside, ready to go.
"Weedle! Use Poison Sting!" The boy ordered.
"Fake Out!" Sora ordered. Meowth's paws glow orange as it claps them together. When he clapped his paws, a large shockwave of air comes out of them, stopping Weedle from attacking. Weedle flinched. "Use Fury Swipes!" Meowth unleashes Fury Swipes. Weedle was taken down so easily. The boy called back Weedle, and took out another Net Ball.
"Go! Caterpie!" The boy called out. Caterpie came on out. "Use Tackle!"
"Fury Swipes again!" Sora ordered. Meowth gave Caterpie a series of hits with Fury Swipes, making the same results. Caterpie had lost, as did the Trainer.
"You win the first match. But four more are up," the boy said.
Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel kept on walking, and a girl is waiting for them.
"Hi, I'm number 2, and your number is up," the girl said. She took out a Pokéball and threw it. "I choose you, Pidgey!" Her Pokéball opened, and Pidgey emerged from inside. Sora looked at Pikachu and nodded. Pikachu nodded back, and stepped in.
"I'm ready when you are," Sora said.
"Great! Pidgey! Use Gust!" The girl ordered. Pidgey flapped its wings and creates a wind.
"Dodge and use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu unleashed Thunderbolt, landing a hit on the Tiny Bird Pokémon. Pidgey was down, but not out.
"Use Quick Attack!" The girl ordered.
"You use Quick Attack, too!" Sora ordered.
Both Pokémon dashed at each other and lands a hit on one another.
"Use Wing Attack!" The girl ordered. Pidgey flew right at Pikachu.
"Use Iron Tail!" Sora ordered. Pikachu jumped and lands a hit with Iron Tail. Pidgey had been taken down. The girl calls Pidgey back.
"You win fair and square. You have three more to go," the girl said.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel went on ahead and they came to a second boy.
"I'm number 3, so it ends with me!" The boy said, taking out a Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Ekans!" His Ekans emerged from inside. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Pidgeotto! Go!" Sora called out. Pidgeotto came out, flying.
"Ekans! Use Bite!" The boy ordered. Ekans came flying at the Bird Pokémon.
"Pidgeotto! Use Air Cutter!" Sora ordered. Pidgeotto unleashed Air Cutter, hitting the Snake Pokémon. "Use Tackle!" Pidgeotto flew right at Ekans, dealing some heavy damage, resulting in a knockout. The boy called back his Ekans.
"That's it for me. Two more to go," the boy said. They weren't even further ahead and
The fourth Trainer has to battle now is another girl.
"Hi there. Looks like I'm number 4," the girl said. "Let's make this a fun battle! Meowth! Go!" She threw it, and her Meowth came on out. Her Meowth came out with a happy grin. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Weepinbell! Go!" Sora called out. Weepinbell came out, ready to go.
"Meowth! Use Scratch!" The girl ordered. Meowth came running at the Flycatcher Pokémon.
"Weepinbell! Dodge and use Vine Whip!" Sora ordered. Weepinbell extends his vines and they struck Meowth hard. "Use Razor Leaf!" Weepinbell fired Razor Leaf, striking Meowth. It results in a knockout.
"That's it for me," the girl said.
Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel walked even further down and saw the fifth Trainer, being a boy.
"So, you made it this far, huh? You have to be good to make it this far," the boy said. He took out a Pokéball and threw it. "Mankey! Go!" His Pokéball opened, and Mankey emerged from inside it. Sora turned to Pikachu and entered the battle.
"Okay, Pikachu. Start up with Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu ran towards the Pig Monkey Pokémon.
"Mankey! Use Karate Chop!" The boy ordered. Mankey came at Pikachu and lands a chop on the Mouse Pokémon. "Use Fury Swipes!"
"Iron Tail!" Sora ordered. Pikachu swings his tail forward and blocked Mankey's Fury Swipes. "Use Thunderbolt!" Pikachu unleashed Thunderbolt, shocking Mankey. The Pig Monkey Pokémon lands on the ground.
"Mankey! Karate Chop again!" The boy ordered. Mankey got up and heads towards Pikachu.
"Use Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu dashed right at Mankey, and lands a heavy hit. Mankey has been taken down.
"Man, you're good. I guess that means you win the mystery prize," the boy said.
"Yeah, I guess," Sora said. He still wasn't sure if he should have taken part of it. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel reached the end of the bridge. There was another man standing at the end.
"Well now. You have to be good to make it this far," the man said.
"Thanks," Sora said.
"We were told there was a prize when he wins five matches in a row, right?" Kairi asked.
"Yes," the man said. "And here's your prize." The man took out a gold ball. "One nugget."
"A nugget?" Sora asked, accepting his prize.
"Yes. It's yours to use for whatever you want to do with it. Also, the bonus prize," the man said. Sora and Kairi were confused.
"Bonus prize?" Sora and Kairi asked.
"Yes," the man said. He revealed his true self as a member of Team Rocket. "A full-time membership in the ranks of Team Rocket!"
"You're with Team Rocket?!" Sora asked, getting angered.
"Yes. The way you battled is proof that you're Team Rocket material, kid. So, what do you say? Wanna join?" The Team Rocket grunt asked.
"No way! I wouldn't be caught dead in your little club!" Sora said.
"It's more than a club! It's your ticket to the villainous big leagues," the Team Rocket grunt said.
"A ticket I don't even want! All you do is steal Pokémon from other Trainers!" Sora said.
"Why steal from other Trainers? What could they have done to make you do that?" Kairi asked.
"I don't need a reason to do what I do. And I don't have to answer those stupid questions either. One way or the other, you're going to join Team Rocket or I'd have to settle with stealing all of your Pokémon and be done with it," the Team Rocket grunt said, taking out a black Pokéball with green spots on each side, and an orange line and button. This Pokéball is known as a Dusk Ball.
"Come right out, Zubat!" His Dusk Ball opened and his Zubat emerged from inside. "Use Bite!"
"Angel! Use Quick Attack!" Kairi ordered. Angel dashed right at Zubat, landing a hit.
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu unleashed Thunderbolt, shocking both the Team Rocket grunt and Zubat. He called Zubat back inside.
"You're going to regret that you ever said no to Team Rocket!" The Team Rocket grunt said, taking out a smoke bomb and threw it on the ground. Smoke erupts. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel coughed as they covered their mouths. The Team Rocket grunt was gone.
"Where did he go?" Sora asked.
"Forget it, Sora. He's miles away by now," Kairi said. Sora knew she was right and continued on. They reached Route 25, and the only house within miles. They entered inside the house and saw a Nidorino inside.
"Hey, a Nidorino. Where did you come from?" Sora asked. "That must be Bill's."
"No, I'm not a Nidorino," the Nidorino spoke, surprising Sora and Kairi. Pikachu and Angel shared their shock.
"He just talked!" Kairi gasped.
"I'm really a human being! I'm not making it up, I swear!" The Nidorino said. Sora took a look at the Nidorino hard.
"Are you Bill, the Pokémon fanatic we were told about?" Sora asked.
"Yes, that's me," Bill said.
"What happened?" Kairi asked.
"I will be happy to explain, but I think it'll be better if I was back to normal first," Bill said.
"Okay, what do we have to do?" Sora asked.
"Just use my computer on my desk. I tried doing it, but I don't have the digits to operate it properly," Bill said. Sora went to the computer.
"Okay, what do you want me to do next?" Sora asked.
"Just type in 'BILL' as my username, all in capital letters; and my password is 'EEVEE', also in capital letters," Bill instructed. He enters the chamber. Sora did as he was instructed. The machine starts humming. It grew louder and louder.
"Bill, is it supposed to do that?" Sora asked. An explosion occurred, making Sora shield Kairi, and Pikachu does the same for Angel. The Nidorino jumps out and starts running.
Out of the smoke is a young man came stepping out. He has brown hair and brown eyes. He wore a light buttoned shirt, blue jeans, and dark brown shoes.
"Thank you very much. I thought I was going to stay that way forever," Bill said. "Um, and you are-?"
"I'm Sora," Sora introduced himself.
"Sora. Thank you, Sora," Bill said. "You asked me what happened, didn't you?"
"Yes, I did," Kairi said.
"To answer your question, I have been concocting an experiment to make humans being able to understand Pokémon," Bill said.
"Understand Pokémon?" Sora and Kairi both asked.
"Yes. It is my belief that Pokémon has a different language than humans do; so I have been doing research on the matter. That way, humans and Pokémon can be able to talk to each other, and they would be able to understand each other," Bill said.
"And is that why you turned yourself into a Nidorino?" Sora asked.
"That was purely an accident. It was not my intention to turn into a Pokémon. I must have done something wrong, and you saw the results," Bill said.
"Well, that makes sense," Sora said.
"Why didn't you go looking for help?" Kairi asked.
"I didn't want to draw unwanted attention to myself. I mean, a talking Pokémon can draw a lot of unwanted attention," Bill said.
"That also makes sense," Kairi said.
"Pokémon have fascinated me to no end since I was a little boy. Ever since then, it became my passion to learn whatever I can about Pokémon. Some of the books I've read are by Professor Oak," Bill explained.
"Just how many Pokémon are there, Bill?" Kairi asked.
"So far, the number count is over 1008 known species," Bill said.
"1008?" Sora asked.
"The numbers will go up," Bill said. "The possibilities are endless." Bill then thought of something. "Oh, here's a token of my appreciation." He took out a couple of tickets for a cruise. "Take these tickets for the Saint Anne. One for each of you."
"Tickets for a cruise? We can't accept these," Sora said.
"I will not take no for an answer. Besides, I'm not into cruises, and I don't have the time to go on one, so I have been looking for someone to go in my place," Bill insisted.
"I think we should accept. It might be fun," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel agreed. Sora thought about for a moment, and he decided to go along with it.
"Have you ever been on a cruise before, Kairi?" Sora asked.
"No," Kairi answered. "You?"
"No," Sora said.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel started to make their way back from Bill's house and went back to Cerulean City to get to Vermillion City. As they went through Cerulean City, they came across an unlicensed Gym, owned by a Pokémon Trainer named AJ. The number of wins is 98, and the number of losses is 0. AJ is
"You my next victim?" AJ asked.
"You're AJ, right?" Sora asked.
"That'll be me, spikes. And whooping chumps like you is my hobby," AJ said.
"Better than stamp collecting," Sora joked. Kairi giggled at the bad joke.
"You're such comedian," AJ said. "Ready to lose?"
"That's what I was gonna ask you," Sora said.
The gates of the gym opens to reveal what looks like that's fit for training.
"It looks impressive," Kairi said.
"Pika," Pikachu nodded.
AJ takes off his backpack and his Butterfree comes and takes it inside.
"What's in the backpack?" Kairi asked.
"The wild Pokémon I just caught there, missy," AJ answered. "There's a bunch more in the tent; and then sum."
"A bunch more?" Sora asked.
"That's right. If you're ready to lose, we can get started," AJ said.
"How about you save it for after the match to gloat at me," Sora said.
Sora and AJ got into position to battle each other. AJ took out a Pokéball and held it.
"Alright! Sandshrew! Go!" AJ called out. His Sandshrew came right out to battle.
"Sandshrew, great! Weepinbell! Go!" Sora called out. Weepinbell came right out to battle. "Vine Whip!" Weepinbell extends his vines at the Ground-type Mouse Pokémon.
"Dig!" AJ ordered. Sandshrew dug in the ground to dodge Weepinbell's Vine Whip. It didn't take long until Sandshrew came out and hits Weepinbell. "Use Slash!" Sandshrew's claws glow white, and it slashes Weepinbell with them, dealing some additional damage. Sora called back Weepinbell.
"A Grass-type Pokémon didn't do it, but I have just the next best thing. Pidgeotto! Go!" Sora said, taking out a Pokéball and threw it. Pidgeotto came on out to battle.
"Use Rollout!" AJ ordered. Sandshrew rolls up into a ball and rolled right into Pidgeotto. Sandshrew does so again, dealing some extra damage, resulting in a knockout. Sora called back Pidgeotto and took out another Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Paras!" Paras came right out to battle. "Use Absorb!"
"Keep up the Rollout!" AJ ordered. Sandshrew rolls into a ball and lands a hit on Paras, dealing some heavy damage, taking him out with one hit. Sora called back Paras and took out another Pokéball and threw it.
"Meowth! Your turn!" Sora called out. Meowth came right out to battle. "Use Fake Out!" Meowth came at Sandshrew and smacked right at Sandshrew, making it flinch.
"Sandshrew, don't you flinch!" AJ said.
"Use Fury Swipes!" Sora ordered.
"Slash!" AJ ordered. Sandshrew slashes Meowth on the spot, resulting in a knockout. Sora called back his Meowth. Sora took out another Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Sandshrew!" Sora called out. His Sandshrew came right out. "Use Scratch!"
"Slash!" AJ ordered. AJ's Sandshrew lands a slash on Sora's Sandshrew, resulting in an instant knockout. Sora called back his Sandshrew and turned to Pikachu.
"You up for it, buddy?" Sora asked.
"Pika," Pikachu nodded.
"Okay, give it a try," Sora said. Pikachu entered the battlefield.
"Hey, you should know Electric-type moves does diddly squat on Sandshrew!" AJ said.
"I'm aware," Sora said. "Pikachu! Quick Attack!" Pikachu dashed at Sandshrew.
"Dig!" AJ ordered. Sandshrew dug to avoid Pikachu's attack. It came out a few seconds later and does heavy damage. "Use Slash!" Sandshrew's slashed at Pikachu, resulting in a knockout. Sora was shocked to see that all six of his Pokémon had been taken down by one Sandshrew. "And that makes victory number 99!" The scoreboard goes up.
"Wow, that is a really strong Sandshrew," Sora said. He picked up Pikachu. "You okay, buddy?"
"Chu," Pikachu said.
"You'll do better next time," Sora said.
"If you're done being a loser, it's time to vacate from the battlefield!" AJ said. Sora scowled.
"And I thought there were only sore losers," Sora said. AJ looked at Kairi.
"So, how about, red? You wanna have a crack at me?" AJ asked.
"I'll do what I can," Kairi said, took out a Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Raichu!" Her Pokéball opened and Raichu came right out. "Use Seismic Toss!" Raichu ran towards Sandshrew and grabbed it. Raichu took Sandshrew for a spin, and then threw Sandshrew down.
"Dig!" AJ ordered. Sandshrew dug into the earth, to avoid damage. Raichu lands on his feet. Sandshrew emerged from the ground and lands a hit. "Use Slash!" Sandshrew slashed at Raichu, knocking him out. Kairi called back Raichu and she sighed.
"I forfeit," Kairi said.
"And that makes number 100!" AJ said proudly. The number goes from 99 to 100. "All of our hard work and sacrifice is really paying off! We did it together!" He and his Sandshrew hugged each other.
After being beaten by AJ, Sora summoned his Keyblade and healed all of the battling Pokémon from their injuries.
"Who would have thought one Sandshrew would be so brutal?" Sora asked.
"I know," Kairi agreed. "Thanks for healing my Pokémon with your magic, Sora."
"Anytime, Kairi. If you had magic, I know you would do the same thing rather if I wanted you to or not," Sora said. Kairi smiled, knowing how he was right.
A week passed when Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel met AJ and visited his unofficial Pokémon Gym and by then Sora decided to take a short cut, which may have gotten them lost.
"Some idea for a shortcut, Sora," Kairi moaned.
"Well it seems like a good idea," Sora defended.
"Pika," Pikachu groaned.
"Vee," Angel groaned.
Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel wondered into a forest with thick mist; I mean pea soup thick. But along the way, they bump into a lanky looking boy that appears to be a few years older than the two of them. He had short brown hair and brown eyes. He wore a blue short sleeve shirt and jeans.
"Oh, hi there," the young man greeted. "I didn't expect to run into anyone in this forest. My name is Harold by the way."
"Um hi," Sora greeted. "My name's Sora and this is Kairi. My partner's Pikachu, and the Eevee is Angel."
"Good to meet you, Harold," Kairi said.
"Nice to meet you, too," Harold said, shaking their hands. "Just, by chance where you heading?"
"We're on our way to Vermilion City," Sora answered. "I'm going there to win my third Gym Badge."
"Oh you have two?!" Harold exclaimed. "Well, I'm on my way to Cerulean City to visit my uncle who lives there, but in all of the excitement of getting there, I kinda gotten lost." Sora and Kairi did an anime-style fall while Pikachu facepalmed.
"Pikachu," Pikachu groaned.
"Eevee," Angel also groaned.
"It's kinda embarrassing," Harold said when he chuckled nervously.
"I bet he even gets lost on his way to the bathroom," Sora whispered to Kairi.
"You shouldn't say such a thing to him," Kairi whispered back. "It's not his fault he dosen't seem to use common sense."
"Excuse me," Harold whispered. "But why are we whispering?" Sora and Kairi screamed causing Harold to scream along with them. "What happened?! What happened?! What happened?!"
Sora and Kairi didn't really know how to make the best of the situation. But just as Harold wouldn't be lost anymore than he already was he joined them just until they get back onto the trail he needs to head towards Cerulean City.
After about an hour or two, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, and Harold ventured deeper into the woods they knew for certain they were really lost.
"This is just great!" Sora groaned. "Me and my shortcut!"
"Well, it's not like it's going to get any worse," Harold said.
"How?" Sora asked in a sarcastic tone.
"It could be raining out here," Harold answered.
"But I don't think that it's going to rain today," Kairi said. "I hope not."
But instead of rain, all four stomachs started to growl. They put their hands on their bellies in embarrassment.
"Pika, Pika," said hungrily.
"I'm hungry, too, Pikachu," Sora said.
"Well I guess we could stop somewhere for lunch! I could fix us up with some hot coffee and some herbal tea," Harold beamed. "You two are too young for coffee, but you two will love the tea." Harold pulls out his Pokémon tea set. "And I have some Mount Moon spring water to make the tea and coffee extra special," said pulling out bottled warer. "And of course, some Kalos crepes on ze side," Harold spoke in a French accent.
"The crepes looks delicious," Kairi said.
"Uh oh," Harold said. Sora and Kairi didn't like how that came out. "We're gonna need some firewood to make the tea, coffee, and crepes."
Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel just hung their heads knowing they have to wonder around the woods some more just to gather firewood. The group does exactly that.
"Why do I have a feeling we're gonna end up getting even more lost than we already are?" Sora asked, feeling melancholy.
"Don't feel bad, Sora," Kairi said, assuring him. "I'm sure we'll be okay. And besides; I have you, Pikachu, and Angel with me."
Sora started to blush when she started to hold his hand but he started to feel much better.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said.
"What is it?" Sora asked his partner.
"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu said pointing to what looks like a fire.
"Someone else is out here?" Kairi asked in surprise.
"Eevee?" Angel asked.
"I didn't think that there was anyone else would be out here," Harold was just as surprised.
As they got closer, they saw that it was a group of boys, and one of them was running on a treadmill while the others were holding candles. What got the group is that they were wearing uniforms that was designed for a school fit for kids from rich families.
"That's very good," the boy with the card said. "Now what's the name is this one?"
He held up a card with a Pidgey. The boy on the treamill couldn't see the card well, so he had to guess.
"Is it a Zubat?" The boy on the treadmill asked.
"Listen, just because it's foggy out here dosen't mean your brain has to be in a fog," the boy with green hair said harshly.
The boy had to guess again, so he got one good look at the card.
"It's a Pidgey!" The treadmill boy guessed again.
"That's really good," the boy with the cards said.
"Now what attacks can Pidgey use?" the green-haired boy asked. "And what level can Pidgey can learn it?"
"Pidgey starts up with Tackle. Sand-Attack at level 5. Gust at level 9," he answered.
"Those are too easy," the boy holding the card said. "Now what level can Pidgey evolve at? And what does it evolve into?"
"Um," the boy on the treadmill paused trying to remember.
"You better come with the answers now," the green-haired boy said. "Or you're gonna have to run faster."
He tried to remember what he knew about Pidgey's evolution when he slipped and fell off the treadmill.
"Sorry," he apologized. "I forgot."
All the boys sighed as the one whom held the cards approached.
"You forgot," he repeated. "And you call yourself a Pokémon Text Student? Well, we don't want to study with the likes of you."
"I'm sorry," the treadmill boy said.
Seeing enough, Sora was about to run when Harold did that for him.
"You leave that kid alone!" Harold yelled running towards them.
Sora and Kairi were stunned by this. Could it be that they had Harold all wrong? Could a newfound respect be found for someone without a hint of common sense?
Sora and Kairi got their answer when he tripped by stepping on his untied shoelaces.
"I should have figured it was too good to be true," Sora sighed. Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel nodded in agreement. "Well anyway, what's going on here?"
"There's nothing going on here," the card-holding boy said. "Mind your own business; this a private training session."
"This school has no room for losers who don't know the common basics such as Pidgey's evolved stage. We have to maintain standards," the green-haired boy said.
Harold got back up like nothing happened.
"I don't know about this school of yours," Harold said. "But I gotta say that your standards are pretty low."
"That's telling them, Harold," Sora said.
"Yeah!" Kairi agreed. "You shouldn't be bullying and looking down on someone just because of a few mistakes!"
"Eevee!" Angel said.
Sora just glared at the five boys, but none of them was intimidated. Kairi just looked them sternly while Harold just gave the exact same look as her.
"Do you want to fight us?" The card holder asked. "Sorry, but fighting is for cavemen. This isn't the stone age, you know."
"And if we picked a fight with insects like you three, we would just make Pokémon Tech look really bad," the boy with the long hair spoke.
Insects? Sora didn't care if they called him that, but if they insulted Kairi right in front of him, that's where he draws the line in the sand.
"We'll see you back the Tech, Joe," the green-haired boy said.
"Okay," Joe responded.
The five boys started to walk away from the group.
"Hey! You come back here and-" Sora called to them. Kairi grabbed his arm.
"Let it go, Sora," Kairi reasoned. "They're not worth it."
Sora nodded knowing she was right.
"You're right, Kairi," Sora said, calming down. "Thanks for that."
"You're welcome," Kairi said.
"Just who are they, anyway?" Sora asked.
"Judging by those uniforms," Harold started they're students of Pokémon Tech. It's a boarding school for Pokémon Trainers. I think that's short for 'Pokémon Technical, if I remember right."
"Just how do you know that?" Sora asked.
Harold was reading the flier of the school explaining to Sora and Kairi about the school on they can be Pokémon Trainers without having to go on a difficult badge collecting journey. Also it reads that students can enter the Pokémon League after graduation. And that the fees and insinuations are set on the highest standards.
"That just sounds way too easy," Sora said, crossing his arms. "And also, for a bunch of snobby snot-nosed rich brats." Sora looks over to Joe. "Anyway what's your name, though?"
"My name is Joe," the boy introduced himself.
"My name is Sora," he introduced himself.
"I'm Kairi," Kairi introduced herself as well. "And this is Angel."
"Eevee," Angel said.
"And I'm Harold," Harold finished.
"Now that we got the introductions out of the way," Sora started. "Where's this school?"
"It's right over there," Joe said, pointing to where he's looking.
"Today's special class, fog battle technique is now complete! Tomorrow's lesson will be snow competition secrets!" A computer voice spoke.
Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, and Harold were just surprised that they were just in front of the school the whole time. Joe sighs after the announcement.
"It looks like they're going to make a snowman out of me again," Joe groaned.
"Do they always treat you like that?" Sora asked.
"My friends were trying to help," Joe explained.
"You call them friends?!" Sora asked surprised by this answer.
"With friends like them, who needs enemies?" Kairi commented on the matter.
"But they help learn that Pidgey evolves into Pidgeotto at level 18 and then into Pidgeot at level 36. Pidgeot can fly at speed at over 1200 meters in speed at mach two!" Joe said.
"Then why did you have a hard time answering that when you already knew all the answer?" Sora asked Joe.
"Sometimes I make believe that I don't know all the answers and if I do, they make the questions so much harder," Joe explained. "But I have to stay in the school because my mother and father worked hard and saved money so that they could send me to school here."
"It must've been hard for them," Kairi commented.
"Yes," Joe nodded. He looks towards another student sitting under a tree reading a book wearing thick glasses, but he seems older than Joe. "You see that one student over there?"
"Yeah," Sora replied. "What about him?"
"He's an upperclassman," Joe told him. "The classes are here are so hard, some of them are held back for many years. And they're too ashamed to go home without a diploma. That guy is in the beginner's class along with me."
"You're a beginner?" Sora asked.
"Beginners are someone who qualifies the same way as someone with two badges," Joe said. Sora hung his head while Kairi pats his back. "The intermediate classes has the qualifications as someone with four badges. And the advanced students has the same as six. And when you graduate, you can enter the Pokémon League without having to collect the badges. But because that he's older than the rest of the class, they don't bother to help him like they do me."
"Do any of the the teachers say about that?" Kairi asked. "And if they did, why don't they do something about it?"
"They don't even know about it," Joe said. "And if they do, they pretend that they don't know about it."
"Well, that's a violation of students rights that should be put a stop to!" Sora exclaimed. "Who's the student that's in charge of the system and see to it that it stops!"
Joe reached in his vest and took out a photo.
"Here's a picture," Joe said, holding it up.
Sora, Kairi, and Harold looks at the picture and it turns out that it's a girl with long dark brown hair. Harold was instantly smittened with her causing him to blush.
"What a beauty," Harold said. "She can violate my rights anyday."
Sora had to admit she's very beautiful, but he just turned away from the picture.
"Kairi's even prettier than she is," Sora said under his breath. "Way more prettier."
Kairi just looked at the picture and she instantly disliked this girl. Who does she think she is, anyway? Going around making the lives of the underclassmen to be treated like second-class citizens.
"If she's making your life so miserable, then why do you carry her picture with you?" Kairi asked.
"Well, I hate the way she treats us underclassmen, but I love her good looks," Joe said blushing putting the picture.
Kairi just shook her head in disbelief. She just felt sorry for Joe; the poor guy. Kairi just imagined this girl is the type that would sleep with every other guy as time went on, and breaking Joe's heart.
Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Harold and Joe enters the school building looking for this girl. Kairi had the utmost intention to give her a piece of her mind.
Team Rocket had just arrived; James saw the school with utter disdain; and that's because it brought back bad memories for him. He had the lowest test score that the school ever had seen. And for that, he was thrown out of the school.
Joe leads the group into the training room, and there are vitutlral training devices present in the room.
"Giselle always comes in here and practices here all by herself," Joe said. "And even if you beat her in a battle, it won't even matter to her. Here in the Tech, it's your skills as a trainer that counts more than winning that one battle."
"Is that it?" Sora tilted his head. "I won two badges because I fought hard for them."
"But Giselle is the top beginner here," Joe said. "And that's even better than winning three badges. And I'm the bottom of the class and I'm even stronger than someone with two badges."
"Wait a minute!" Harold called up. "I'm a Pokémon Trainer and I didn't need to go to some exclusive school to learn to catch and train Pokémon! And like the Gym Leader at Cerulean City, I use Water-type Pokémon."
Sora and Kairi's eyes got wide at the fact Harold is a Trainer.
"Harold is a Trainer?!" Sora and Kairi both exclaimed at once.
"Water-types, huh?" Joe said. He turns on a simulator and uses a hologram of a Weepinbell going against Starmie. The Grass-type beats the Starmie at an instant. "I always beat them in the simulator."
"Let's see how you can handle it in real life," Harold said reading his Pokéball.
"You'll be sorry," Joe said, feeling confident.
Just outside, Team Rocket climbs a tree up to where Sora and his friends are. Jessie and James took out the binoculars they had and looked in with each eye.
"A little warning, Joe; I'm good," Harold warned. Harold throws his Pokéball. "Alright Starmie! Come on out!" The Pokéball opens to let Starmie out.
"Too bad that Starmie won't beat my Grass-types," Joe said. "Go Weepinbell!" Joe throws his Pokéball and it lets out the same Pokémon from the simulation.
"Let's see if Weepinbell can stand up to this," Harold said. "Starmie! Ice Beam!" Starmie forms a light blue ball of energy in front of its core. It then fires multiple light blue beams from the ball at Weepinbell. With one hit, Weepinbell was frozen solid. Joe was flabbergasted by this result. Weepinbell was just taken out with one hit.
"But Weepinbell had the upperhand!" Joe gasped. "How could Weepinbell lose to a Water-type Pokémon just like that?"
"That's because that Starmie used Ice Beam," a female voice said from behind. "You should have known Water-types can use Ice-type moves. Trainers teaches Water-type Pokémon Ice-type moves to counter Grass-type Pokémon. That is what every Trainer should consider. Also, his Starmie is more experienced in battle than Weepinbell. You're an embarrassment to the whole school."
"But Giselle..." Joe paused feeling embarrassed.
Harold's face turned red again.
"She's even prettier in real life than in a picture," Harold said, infatuated. Hearts formed in his eyes.
"So this is the self-appointed queen bee," Kairi snarled in her thoughts. Sora just looked at her, seeing her so angry. Sora has saw her like that before and he did not like it.
"Uh oh," Sora said in his thoughts. "Here we go again."
"I'm the top beginner in the most exclusive 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!" Giselle introduced.
"That girl's definitely full of herself," Sora said in his thoughts. "I mean it's true she's pretty. But Kairi's way prettier than she is. And she's even nicer. Sweeter than candy. But Giselle is just a narcissist. That is what Kairi is not."
Back outside.
"She's even more conceded than we are," Jessie said.
"But she's real cute, isn't she?" James asked, intrigued.
"She's not as cute as me!" Meowth said.
"YOU'RE IN THE WAY!" Jessie and James yelled throwing Meowth into the sky.
"I'M BLASTING OFF ALONE!" Meowth yelled as he went flying into the sky. A star twinkled in the distance.
Back inside the school building, Sora just looked behind him. Sora wondered what was that all about. Sora just shrugged.
"Must be hearing things," Sora said in his thoughts.
Giselle walked up to Joe.
"I want to continue to be the best they could be," Giselle said. "To teach each other and to respect each other to ensure the Pokémon of tomorrow," Giselle continued. Her smile turns into a cold stern. "But you're a weakling!"
"Uh," Joe was stunned by that.
"You better get stronger fast before your fellow classmates will turn their backs on you for good!" Giselle turns and walks away from him without giving a second thought. Joe just stood there. He just felt his heart shatter like glass.
Sora and Kairi were just plain appalled what they just witnessed. Kairi wanted to break her nose in front of her peers for what she just said. Sora stared at Joe just stunned and heartbroken. Harold on the other hand had heard enough. He was attracted to her beauty, but she just shattered the image Harold had of her.
"Just hold it right there!" Harold shouted. "What kind of friend would just turn their backs on them like that?! Just because you're the top student of the beginner's class doesn't mean you have to look down on others! People would say that I'm a scatterbrain and I easily get lost, but I never let that stop me! I keep trying. And I even help people who needs help. And if I was a teacher here I would definitely do something about it and not care what consequences that came with it! Everybody else has already given up on me, my Pokémon didn't! And those two and their Pikachu and Eevee didn't! And most importantly, I haven't given up on myself!"
Sora and Kairi just stood there just amazed at how Harold just stood up for Joe like that. Even Pikachu was stunned. Harold did have a mature side to him.
"Do you really believe any of what you just said?" Giselle asked playfully.
"I wouldn't say it if I didn't!" Harold snapped at her. "Bring out any other Pokémon you've got! Starmie will cream it like corn!"
Giselle just smiled smugly when she grabbed a Pokéball.
"Well in that case, my Pokémon shall be," Giselle gracefully threw the Pokéball. "Graveler!" She threw the Pokéball to let out bipedal, boulder Pokémon. Its round body is covered with small bumps and it has a rocky crest above its small eyes and mouth. It has four arms, each with a three-fingered hand. Its second pair of arms is typically kept tucked against its chest.
"Starmie can beat Graveler," Sora said to Kairi.
"Sure can," Kairi nodded. "But don't overlook how strong that Graveler looks. Graveler looks more experienced."
"Graveler! Use your Double-edge!" Giselle ordered. Graveler charged at Starmie, so Starmie dodge out of the way in time.
"Starmie! Water Gun!" Starmie fired water gun, but Graveler rolled and bashed Starmie in the core. Starmie was sent towards the pool. "Aah! Starmie!" Harold ran outside to the pool to retrieve his injured Pokémon. He dove in the water, not caring if he caught a cold. He dragged his injured Starmie in his arms and ran off to be healed at the Pokémon Center!
Sora and Kairi were just shocked by what they saw. Giselle and her peers were about to leave when she finally got a good glimpse of Sora. She felt her heart flutter at the look of him. His gravity defying hair, his blue eyes, and that face and his crown necklace. She wondered if was descended from royalty. He looked so very handsome in her eyes.
"Just who is he?!" Giselle asked in her thoughts. "How is it that I had never noticed him before?! I must go up to him." Giselle walked her way into their way and stares directly into his face.
"Something I should help you with?" Sora asked her feeling nervous.
"I'm sorry, but I haven't noticed you until now," Giselle said her face blushing. "But might I ask who are you?"
"It's Sora Ketchum and I'm from Pallet Town," Sora answered.
Giselle kept looking into him lovingly. Joe just watched the scene feeling more heartbroken. Tears started to flow down his eyes.
"Of course she'd fall for a guy like Sora," Joe thought. "He's obviously more attractive and more confident than I could ever be."
Giselle's peers started to glare at Sora. They were obviously taken by her charms just as the rest. But Kairi had started to get even angrier at the sight. Sora was getting nervous to her staring. Cold sweat started to run down his head.
"Why do you keep staring at me like that?" Sora asked feeling uncomfortable.
"I'm wondering if you have yourself a lover," Giselle stated. Before he could answer she placed her finger at his lips. "Don't answer! Because you're going to be my lover!" She started to put her arms around him. "Tell me. Do find me irresistible?"
"Well, um..." Sora was really uncomfortable. "Looks like mom was right about me turning heads," Sora thought to himself. Giselle started to kiss repeatedly on his cheeks. Her lipstick left their marks on his face, except for his lips.
Kairi felt her blood boil. She could stand it no longer.
"That hussy!" Kairi snarled. Kairi went up to Sora and forcefully grabbed him by the arm pulling him. She just stared at her her very hatefully. "You keep your filthy hands to yourself!"
"And who do you think you are?" Giselle asked glaring at Kairi.
"Someone who can't stand the likes of you," Kairi shot at her.
"What's your relations with him?" Giselle demanded.
"He's my friend!" Kairi simply answered.
"So why do you care that I have eyes for him?" Giselle asked her.
"Friends are supposed to care," Kairi hissed. "And I won't let my friends end up in the arms of a gold digger like you!"
Sora definitely felt like a bug between a rock and a hard place in this situation. Sora wanted to put a stop to it, but he didn't know how. Sora didn't want to have a catfight on his hands, so he had to speak up.
"If I could say something," Sora spoke up.
Giselle grabbed Sora's other arm while staring at Kairi. They started to pull him like a couple of kids fighting over a teddy bear. Kairi and Giselle threw a series of insults at each other.
"Pika," Pikachu watched feeling scared.
Sora was definitely getting pulled apart at this point. He felt his arms being stretched and it hurt. Sora felt like his arms were going to be torn off.
"KNOCK IT OFF!" Sora shouted. Both Kairi and Giselle stopped pulling at him.
"What is it, beloved?" Giselle asked in a singing tone.
"What's up?" Kairi asked.
Sora sighed as he felt thankful that he stopped an imminent catfight.
"Okay I have one thing I'd like to say," Sora started to say. "Well two things; one: let go of my arms." Both girls let go of him and they look right him. "For starters, I want to say that I have to turn you down Giselle. I mean I think you're pretty, but you're just not for me. Sorry."
Giselle felt her heart shatter. Could this what rejection feels like? The boy she just fell in love with just turned her down. She wasn't ready to throw in the towel yet. She looks right Pikachu and she got an idea.
"I have to ask you, Sora, isn't it?" Giselle spoke up. Sora nodded. "Is that Pikachu yours?"
"Um yes," Sora answered.
"I was wondering if you would like to battle with me," Giselle said.
"A battle?" Sora asked.
"MHM," Giselle nodded. "A battle to see how you're skilled as a Pokémon Trainer."
"Well if you wanna see what I can do, you just have to ask!" Sora said accepting the challenge.
"And if you lose," Giselle said. That confused Sora. "You will have to be my sweetheart and worship the ground I walk on."
Sora just blanched and Kairi's face got red with anger. Angel turned to see Kairi really angry.
"That's not what I-" Sora's sentence was cut when Kairi walked up.
"Sora isn't going to just accept the challenge," Kairi said. "He's going to win!"
"Doesn't look like I'm gonna to get out of it even I wanted to," Sora said hanging his head regretting what he just got himself into. "If I knew there was going to be a catch, I wouldn't have agreed to it."
"We'll both use one Pokémon each," Giselle said grabbing another Pokéball. "And the Pokémon I choose is: Cubone!"
Giselle threw her Pokéball to reveal small, bipedal, dinosaur-like Pokémon with a light brown hide that covers most of its body, except for its cream-colored belly. Two small claws, one on each hand, serve as its thumbs, and one large nail on each foot make up its toes. It has two small spikes on its back and a short tail. It wore a skull as a helmet. It's also holding a bone as a club.
"A Cubone. Okay," Sora said as he was about to take out Weepinbell's Pokéball, but Pikachu stopped him.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"You wanna battle Cubone, Pikachu?" Sora asked.
"Pika," Pikachu nodded.
"Cubone is a Ground-type Pokémon, so it won't even feel your electricity," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu bluntly said. Sora could see he wasn't going to back down; especially after losing to Sandshrew.
"Okay, I'll have you battle Cubone. I know you can do it," Sora said. Pikachu stepped in.
"Take her down, Sora!" Kairi said.
"Eevee, vee!" Angel said.
Okay," Sora said nervously. He then looked at Giselle.
"You may have the first move, darling," Giselle said.
"Pikachu! Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu ran right towards Cubone. Cubone just stood in place not moving an inch.
"Cubone! Headbutt!" Giselle ordered. Cubone jumped and slammed its head into the mouse Pokémon. Pikachu was sent back. "Now Bone Club!" Cubone whacked Pikachu on the side with its bone.
"Pikachu! Keep your head in the game!" Sora shouted. "Iron Tail! Let's go!" Pikachu got up and swung his tail only for Cubone to block the attack.
"Cubone! Bone Club again!" Cubone obeyed, knocked Pikachu's tail out of the way and conks Pikachu on the head. "Bonemerang!" Cubone threw the bone right at Pikachu again causing serious damage. "Oh I can just hear wedding bells ringing for us! After we get married we can go on a honeymoon to the Alola Region and buy a summer home on one of the islands! And we would have so many children together! Oh my heart will be warm at the sight of them playing-"
Sora started to frown at the thought of being married to her. Kairi was getting infuriated by that.
"Sora! Take her down!" Kairi shouted.
"Right!" Sora said. Cubone threw its bone again hitting Pikachu landing on his back. "Stay focused, Pikachu! Use your head! Don't let Cubone beat you over something so basic!"
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded.
Cubone threw Bonemerang again. Only for Pikachu to dodge the attack. Pikachu leapt onto the Ground-type turning its skull mask around so it can't see. Pikachu swung at Cubone with Iron Tail and a series of Quick Attacks. Once Pikachu stops, Cubone turns the skull mask back to its proper place only to be hit by its own move. Cubone started to cry like a baby since it knew it lost to Pikachu.
Giselle took Cubone into her arms and soothed the crying Pokémon.
"Oh, don't cry Cubone," Giselle said trying to calm ot down. "There, there." Giselle called Cubone back into its Pokéball. "I can't believe I lost. I thought you would use electric attacks against Cubone; but you didn't."
"Well, it's because I kept my head in the game," Sora said. "Cubone did have the advantage and it did have a little more experience, but Pikachu still came through. Sometimes you have to think outside the box, even if the odds are against you." Kairi was glad Sora had won. That went for Angel as well. She was really proud of him. That means that Sora wouldn't have to go through with that arrangement. But she knew Sora would never have gone along with it even if he had lost, but she'd be glad either way. "I hope you have learned that, Joe." Sora said looking at him.
"Sure did," Joe said. Joe felt inspired by his words. And now thanks to him he felt his confidence grow.
Kairi was proud of him. Kairi went up to him and hugged him from behind.
Giselle just looked at the two of them. She knew the fight for Sora's heart was a fight that she already lost before she started.
"I guess that you're better than I thought, Sora," Giselle admitted. "That battle taught me a lesson I'm not going to forget. And once I demonstrate that, the others will surely follow my example." She looks at her peers and they understood. Even if she had lost, they still rooted for her.
Gray smoke came into the school all around the group. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel knew that it could only be one thing.
"Oh no!" Sora groaned. "Not again."
"Allow us to reintroduce ourselves," Jessie and James said in unison.
"Prepare for trouble!"
"And make it double!"
"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 blasts off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"
Meowth came crashing through the roof and finished the motto.
"Meowth! That's right!"
"And there you have it," Sora groaned.
"Yeah," Kairi deadpanned.
"Pika," Pikachu sighed.
"Eevee," Angel also sighed.
Giselle looked at them, and sets her attention on James.
"You look very familiar. You said your name is James, so could you be the same James who has the lowest score in the school's history, and then gotten expelled from the school for it?" Giselle asked.
"Uh, it was probably someone else who looked like me," James said.
Doesn't matter to me, because you're about to come up against our team," Giselle said, holding a Pokéball.
Joe along with the five boys did the same. Team Rocket knew they were in serious trouble. The students threw a barrage of Pokéballs at Team Rocket causing them to run off.
"IT LOOKS LIKE TEAM ROCKET'S BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"
"And don't come back!" Sora called to them while Kairi stuck her tongue out.
At sunset Joe and Giselle were outside at the school pool.
"There are some things that you can't learn in school," Giselle said. "And that's a good lesson."
Joe looks at her.
"I'm going to head back home and start over from scratch," Joe announced. "Start my journey with my first Pokémon like Sora and Pikachu. It's because of him that I feel more confident. But I'm sure we'll meet again someday."
"I hope so," Giselle smiled. "And I'll try to be a worthy opponent when we do."
"But can I still keep your picture with me?" Joe asked blushing.
"Of course," Giselle said. "And I'll keep yours."
Joe was surprised by what she just said.
"You have mine?" Joe asked.
"Of course," Giselle answered. "I have pictures of all my friends. And I'll keep yours the closest."
Joe blushed smiling at her.
"Also, I knew you had your eyes on me just as anyone else," Giselle said. Before Joe could speak Giselle kissed him right on the lips. When their lips departed Joe blushed a little redder. "I'm just sorry I didn't consider your feelings. I didn't want anyone seeing me getting soft on the matter. But when we meet again, I'll be even more considerate."
That made Joe feel better. He just had his very first kiss and he loved it.
Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel just watched the two of them just smiling.
"That's so sweet," Kairi beamed.
"Yeah it is," Sora agreed.
"I was thinking about the day we met when you saved me," Kairi said. "I knew for a fact, I'd feel safe around you."
"Well I'm just glad we both got off on the right foot," Sora said.
"Just do you think about what would happen if we didn't?" Kairi asked.
"I don't know," Sora answered. "Maybe you having a bike and me stealing it and then get wrecked by Pikachu shocking it to a crisp, maybe?"
Sora and Kairi looked at each other for a moment before they bursted out laughing at the thought.
Over to Harold, he seems to have gotten lost again, but this time he fell into a river. He was washed through the rapids. His life began flashing before his eyes when a young woman with teal hair tied in a ponytail with a pink bow, wearing a pink shirt and red overalls grabbed his hand.
"Just hang on!" she said to him. She pulled him up. Harold was grateful to her. "Are you okay?"
"I wouldn't be if you haven't come along," Harold said, panting.
Back to Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel, they continued on with their journey for Sora's way into the Pokémon League. They said their goodbyes and hoped that they battled again. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel took one last look at the school before they continued on.