The Ultimate Test

Ash, Misty, Brock, and Todd: Let's eat!

\\The camera pans down as everyone is eating sandwiches.

Narrator: It all began with an innocent question from Misty.

Misty: You know, you haven't gotten a badge in a long time, Ash. You think you'll ever get another one? \\Ash starts choking on his food. I guess you could get another gym leader to feel sorry for you and get another badge that way.

Brock: Take it easy, Ash. Drink this. \\Brock hands Ash a cup and he drinks it.

Ash: Ahh... skill! I win matches with skill!

Misty: How much skill does it take to beat Team Rocket?

Team Rocket: \\Overhears and turns around. Huh?

Ash: OK,I'll show you some skill. I challenge you to a match right now!

Pikachu: \\Stands up to stop Ash. Pika, pika!

Ash: No, I will not change my mind!

Todd: Hold it! \\He starts snapping pictures of Pikachu with his camera.

Ash: Why should I hold it?

Todd: Not you, Pikachu. That's a perfect expression!

Pikachu: Pika? \\A camera shutter is shown as a picture of Pikachu is taken.

Ash: \\Slides in front of the camera. Hey, cut it out!

Todd: OK, OK. It looks like you wanna prove you have skill somehow, right?

Ash: That's exactly what I wanna prove.

Todd: Well, why don't you just get yourself admitted?

Ash: Uh, admitted?

Todd: Take the Pokémon League Admissions Exam.

Ash: The Pokémon League...

Misty: Admissions Exam?

Pikachu: Pika?

Togepi: \\Slides on screen. Togii!

[TITLE CARD]

\\The camera pans over a building.

Narrator: To get into the Pokémon League, a trainer has to travel from one Pokémon gym to another, and collect badges to prove he's defeated each gym master. However... \\The camera switches to inside the building.

Instructor: Here at the Pokémon League Admission Center, we evaluate applicants based on their combined written and practical skills exam. And those who pass receive this badge qualifying them for the Pokémon League. \\He holds out a badge as Ash and friends look in awe. He hands Ash a badge with the number '7' on it. Take this, it's your testing number.

Ash: \\Grabs the badge. Lucky seven! See Misty, I have skill and luck!

Misty: A little modesty wouldn't hurt.

Pikachu: Pika...

\\The camera cuts to Jessie.

Jessie: Oh no. I wanted number seven. \\Ash attempts to put on the badge as he looks over at Jessie, to which she panics and quickly ignores him to fill out the questionnaire. Uh, ahah. Age, 17. Profession, diva.

Ash: Hmm... that girl looks familiar

\\Camera cuts back to Ash and friends.

Misty: Wow, look at all the different kinds of people showing up for the exam!

Ash: Yeah... Nobody I'm not better than.

\\''Nurse Joy walks on screen. Brock falls in love.''

Brock: Oh, Nurse Joy! \\He starts walking over to her.

Ash: Yeah, but which one?

\\They start to follow.

Instructor: Just a minute. You'll have to leave your Poké Balls here with me.

Ash: Why?

Instructor: You're not permitted to use your own Pokémon in the exam.

Ash: What...? \\Ash grabs his Poké Balls and hands them over. Here...

Instructor: Thank you.

Misty: Can I take care of his Pikachu during the exam?

Instructor: Of course! Good luck Mr. Ketchum!

Misty: \\Pikachu jumps from Ash's shoulder to Misty's. I'd wish you luck too, but you're just so skilled.

Ash: You got that right!

Pikachu: Pika!

\\The camera cuts ahead to the trio talking to Nurse Joy.

Ash: Uh, so you wanna become a Pokémon master too, huh Nurse Joy?

Joy: Well, it has always been a dream of mine.

Brock: So uh, where are you from Nurse Joy?

Joy: I'm Nurse Joy of the Fuchsia City Joy's sister to the Vermilion City Joy's.

Brock: Ah, you're the most beautiful one yet!

Misty: That's what you always say Brock.

Togepi: Tokipriiii!

Joy: I came here for the exam because my work keeps me too busy to travel very much.

Brock: Uh huh, uh huh.

Misty: This exam is really a great idea.

Joy: Yes. It's perfect for people who's age or health keeps them from traveling around.

Brock: Uh huh, uh huh.

Joy: And it's also nice for people like me who can't ever seem to get away from work.

Brock: I can feel it! I'm sure you're gonna pass the test!

Joy: I hope you're right.

\\Todd walks up.

Todd: That's make a nice human interest shot!

Ash: Hey, save your film for Pokémon.

\\Ash and Todd spot James walking in. James notices Ash and panics, to which he turns around and scoots away.

Ash: That's weird. That guy looked really familiar too!

\\James scoots over to the instructor and Jessie and hands over some papers.

James: Here's the exam forms.

Instructor: Fine. Let's see... Your name is James. \\''James panics and Jessie looks over at him. He then turns to the instructor.'' Will you please keep it down?!

Jessie: Is that...?

James: Huh? Hey, get lost old bat! \\He shoos her away.

Jessie: Huh? Old... bat?!

\\''James jumps back and Jessie grabs him. The camera then cuts to outside as Jessie is dragging James outside.''

James: What are you? Unhand me you! Please let me go! Come on! \\Jessie throws him down.

Jessie: So, I'm an old bat am I?

James: You're Jessie?! That outfit is atrocious.

Jessie: And what are you doing here?

James: What am I doing here? Well, truth to tell, I-not unlike many other people- dream of becoming a Pokémon master. Make fun if you must! Hahahaha!

Jessie: No, you're doing just fine on your own.

James: I want to live my dream, instead of my... my reality.

Jessie: Hmm, i could see why.

James: What's your reason for being here?

Jessie: I simply wanted to add another talent to my very impressive and extensive résumé. As you know, I'm already an accomplished hostess, florist, costume designer, wine expert, beautician, style consultant... in fact, one of the only things I'm not-

Meowth: \\Slides in from out of nowhere. -is a Pokémon master!

Jessie and James: \\Jumps in fright. Meowth?!

Jessie: What are you doing here?

Meowth: Looking for you. The one who suddenly remembered an important engagement. \\He jumps over to Jessie. This seems suspiciously unlike a visit to your sick uncle's bedside.

Jessie: Uh..

Meowth: \\He jumps over to James. And I thought you had a dental appointment.

James: Well I... \\The camera shows Jessie and James having a picnic. It was just such a beautiful day...

Jessie: We decided to have a picnic!

Meowth: Don't try to fool me! \\He scratched Jessie and James across the face. Come clean, what're you doin' here?

Jessie: Mind your own business.

James: Take this and leave us alone! \\He throws a ball of yarn and Meowth chases it. Jessie and James run away as Meowth plays with the yarn.

Jessie: Hurry up!

James: The exam's about to start!

\\Pikachu holds up a sign saying '"EXAM #1"'.

Pikachu: Pika pika. Pika Pikachu!

\\The camera cuts to the exam room.

Instructor: The first test will measure your overall knowledge of Pokémon. Ready, begin.

Ash: I can't wait. This'll be easy!

\\Ash's computer shows a picture of Lickitung.

Computer: Lickitung's tongue is twice the length of its body. True or false?

Ash: I'm pretty sure it was longer than that. \\''He presses the X button. The screen changes to a Vulpix.''

Computer: Ninetales evolves from Vulpix only by use of the Fire Stone. True or false?

Ash: Oh man, that's too easy. True, true! \\The screen changes to a Hitmonlee.

Computer: Hitmonlee is also known as the Punching Demon.

Ash: Let's see... It's either Hitmonlee or Hitmonchan that's the puncher. Uh, I think it's true! \\He presses the O button. The screen on James' computer changes to Magikarp.

Computer: The only attack Magikarp originally knows is Splash. True or false?

James: Ooh, Magikarp... Just hearing that name makes my.. my blood boil!

Jessie: True.

James: Huh?

Jessie: That's true too. \\The camera switches to Caterpie.

Computer: Caterpie is the world's smallest Pokémon. True or false?

Jessie: Yeah, that's true.

James: Look at her! She's so good! \\Jessie's computer changes to Koffing.

Computer: Koffing was first discovered in a public bath house. True or false?

Jessie: True. True, true. All I have to do is guess, and I'll get half of them right.

\\Pikachu holds up a sign saying '"EXAM #2"'

Pikachu: Pika pika, Pikachu!

\\The camera cuts back.

Instructor: Now we will measure your ability to recognize Pokémon! Please name the Pokémon by identifying its silhouette or any part of its body as it's displayed here.

Ash: All right! This is gonna be a piece of cake!

Instructor: Here's the first question. \\The screen shows a black circle. Identify this Pokémon.

Ash: This is gonna be a breeze for me. \\He chooses Voltorb on screen. It's a Voltorb!

James: Ah, how simple! It's a Poké Ball without a doubt!

Jessie: Obviously, it's an Electrode!

Instructor: And the answer is a... \\The screen shows the top of a Jigglypuff. A Jigglypuff as seen from above! \\Ash, Jessie and James slightly fall over and groan. Next question. \\The screen shows a swirl. What Pokémon displays this pattern?

Ash: I've never seen that...

James: It must be an Omanyte shell!

Jessie: It's an Arbok when it's all coiled up.

Ash: Hmm.. hey! It's a Poliwhirl!

Instructor: The correct answer... \\The screen shows a Poliwag. Poliwag! \\Ash, Jessie, and James fall over completely. As any master would know, when Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl, the swirl on its stomach reverses direction.

Misty: Hey, this is hard.

Brock: And it's getting harder by the minute.

Pikachu: Pika...

Instructor: Question 15... \\The screen shows some fire. What Pokémon does this tail belong to?

Ash: Hmm... it's either Charmander, Charmeleon, or Charizard... Yeah, it's gotta be Charmander!

Instructor: The answer is... \\The screen shows a Ponyta. Ponyta.

Ash: No, it can't be!

Jessie: \\She slams her hands on the table and stands up. Ugh can't you ask one question I know the answer to?

Instructor: Please take your seat!

Jessie: This is a joke! These stupid questions won't make you a Pokémon master!

Instructor: For your information young lady, a Pokémon master must understand all aspects of their Pokémon's life in order to achieve oneness with their Pokémon!

Jessie: Grr, you're not making any sense at all! I'm through with this! \\She throws her pen.

Instructor: Get out!

Jessie: I can't wait to go! \\She throws down her badge and storms out.

James: But Jessie...

Joy: Dear, what a shame...

Ash: That girl's attitude seems familiar too.

\\The camera cuts to outside where Meowth is sleeping with his yarn.

Jessie: Hey... \\She kicks Meowth and his yarn. Let's go!

Meowth: Huh? Where am I going?

Jessie: You're going with me... to help get my revenge!

Meowth: Huh?!

\\The camera cuts back to inside, where everyone is gathered around a screen showing test results.

Misty: Here comes the scoreboard. \\The crowd talks among themselves. The ones on the right got the lowest scores and the ones on the left got the highest.

Brock: Look, Nurse Joy is near the top!

Todd: Hey, where's your picture Ash?

Ash: Uh, it must be where they put the highest scorer.

Misty: Ash... \\Everyone turns toward her. Uh, down here. \\Everyone runs towards her. Here's your picture.

Ash: Huh? \\''His picture is shown next to James in the lowest scores area. with Jessie underneath both with 0%.'' Oh, that's impossible! \\Todd walks over and starts taking pictures. Quit it!

Todd: Uh,just a little souvenir Ash.

Misty: Well Ash, it looks like you didn't have enough luck or skill to pass the test.

Ash: Pokémon isn't about tests, it's about battles! Hahaha!

\\The camera cuts over to James.

James: Jessie's been expelled. Now I'll have to do my best for her...

[Who's That Pokémon: Vulpix]

\\Pikachu holds up a sign saying '"EXAM #3"'

Pikachu: Pika, pika, pika!

\\The camera cuts to outside at a battlefield.

Joy: Alright, Squirtle! Water Gun attack!

Squirtle: Squirtle! \\It shoots a blast of water at the opponent's Charmander.

Charmander: Charrr!

Joy: Squirtle, give it the Skull Bash, now!

Brock: Nurse Joy, you're doing great! Yeah! \\''He turns towards Todd. ''Alright, shoot away. I ant 8 x 10 glossies, and wallet sizes too!

Todd: Yeah, sure...

\\The camera cuts to Ash and James at a table with sets of Poké Balls.

Instructor: Now select whichever one you like.

Ash: Uh, I don't know which one to pick. You can't tell us what kind of Pokémon are inside them, huh?

Instructor: That's what makes it a test. All of these Pokémon are trained for batle, so they'll obey your commands. This test determines whether a trainer can adapt, regardless of what Pokémon comes out.

James: With whom do we have to battle?

Instructor: With me.

Ash: \\''Reaches down and grabs a set. ''Right, then I'll take these.

James:  \\''Reaches down and grabs a set. ''I'll take these.

\\The scene jumps ahead to the battlefield where James jumps into position.

Jessie: Come on, James! Beat that ignoramus!

Meowth: Right, really beat the guy.

James: This one's for you, Jessie! \\He throws a Poké Ball and a Pikachu pops out.

Pikachu: Pikachu! \\Jessie, James, Meowth, Brock, Todd, Misty, and Pikachu gasp in surprise.

Pikachu: Pikachu.

James: Haha, with this I can't lose! Thunder Shock, Thunderbolt... I've been destroyed by Pikachu's attacks so many times I know them all by heart! Hahahaha!

Jessie: That's kinda pathetic when you think about it...

Meowth: Yeah...

Instructor:  Now we begin! \\''He throws a Poké Ball. ''Go! \\A Graveler appears from the Ball.

Graveler: Graveler!

James: It's a Graveler! Pikachu, Thunderbolt.

Pikachu: Pika!

James: Ooh! That feels great to say!

Pikachu: Pikachu! \\It sends lightning towards the Graveler.

Graveler: Grav...eler! \\It tackles into the Pikachu.

Pikachu: Pika! \\The Pikachu flies right into James' face.

James: Ooh! Ugh, I don't get it! How come the Thunderbolt attack didn't work?!

Instructor: You should've known that electricity doesn't work on Rock type Pokémon. Minus 1 point.

James: \\''He throws out 2 Poké Balls. ''Well then, how about this? \\A Charizard and an Ivysaur pop out.

Charizard: \\It growls.

Ivysaur: Ivysaur!

Instructor: Uh?

James: With these I can win. Now what do you say? Hahaha

Instructor: \\''He slides up beside him. ''Goodbye.

James: \\He turns towards him and growls.

Instructor: It's against the rules to use two Pokémon at once.

James: I never play by the- \\He stops and notices how angry the instructor is and panics.

Instructor: You're expelled. Now get out.

Jessie: He failed again.

Meowth: Don't think of it as failing. Think of it as not succeeding.

\\Ash walks into the battle position.

Misty: Now we'll see if Ash can win one.

Brock: Go get 'em, Ash

Pikachu: Pika pi!

Ash: Thanks, just leave it to me! Hey Todd, make sure you get lots of great shots!

Todd: Don't worry, just make sure you win!

\\The camera cuts over to James sulking by a tree.

James: I'm such a loser.

\\Jessie and Meowth slide into frame.

Jessie: James.

James:  Hm?

Jessie: I have a plan that will make us all winners!

Meowth: Yeah!

\\The camera cuts back to the battle.

Instructor: Are you ready, Ash?

Ash: Ready!

Instructor: Poké Ball, go! \\He throws the Poké Ball and a Flareon pops out.

Flareon: Flareon!

Ash: OK now, I need something to beat a Flareon. First Poké Ball, go! \\He throws the Poké Ball and a Weezing pops out.

Weezing: Weezing!

Ash: Ah, I got a Weezing?!

Team Rocket: That's bad.

Todd: I gotta get this! His face looks just like Weezing's!

Ash: Uh, not now!

Instructor: It's time to start the battle. Flareon, go. Flamethrower, now!

Flareon: Flare! \\It shoots out a blast of fire at Weezing:

Weezing: Weezing!

Flareon: Flareon! \\It shoots another blast.

Weezing: Weezing!

Ash: Uhh.., Oh, I know! Weezing, give 'em your Smog attack, now!

Weezing: Weezing! \\It uses its Smog attack.

Flareon: Flare! \\It uses its Flamethrower and hits Weezing's smog, causing an explosion and sending it backwards before landing on his feet.

Misty and Todd: Uh oh.

Instructor: Now Flareon, the Leer.

Flareon: \\Stares down Weezing and uses Leer.

Ash: Come on, Weezing! Fight back with Smokescreen!

Weezing: \\''It flies around using Smokescreen. ''Weezing!

Instructor: Hey, not too shabby.

Ash: Go Weezing, Tackle attack!

Weezing: Weeking. \\It tackles straight into the Flareon, fainting it.

Ash: Alright, my first victory!

Misty: I guess Ash is a pretty good battler after all.

Brock: Even Team Rocket could win if they fought like that.

\\The camera cuts to Jessie and James writing in a notebook.

James: Hurry, take notes, take notes!

\\The camera cuts back to the battle.

Instructor: \\Throws another Poké Ball. Now round two! \\A Jolteon pops out.

Jolteon: Jolteon!

Ash: OK, a Jolteon? Next Poké Ball, go! \\He throws the Poké Ball and an Arbok comes out.

Arbok: Chaarbok.

Ash: \\He groans.

Misty: Ash got the Pokémon Jessie has.

Pikachu: Chu...

Ash: Let's see... what are Arbok's attacks?

Instructor: Jolteon, Agility attack!

Jolteon: Jolt, jolt!

Ash: I remember! Arbok, Glare!

Arbok: Charbok! \\It glares at Jolteon, freezing it in place.

Ash: Now, squeeze it with your Wrap attack, now!

Arbok: Charbok. \\''It wraps around Jolteon, but it gets poked by its spikes. ''Chaa!

Ash: Oh, that was no good. I forgot about all of Jolteon's spikes!

Instructor: Quick Jolteon, use the Thunder attack! \\Jolteon shoots Thunder at Arbok.

Ash: Arbok, no!

Instructor: Too bad you overloaded Jolteon's spikes. Sizing up your opponent before an attack is a fundamental rule!

Ash: Ugh, Arbok return! \\''Ash returns Arbok to his Poké Ball. ''OK, third Poké Ball, go! \\He throws the Poké Ball and a Meowth pops out.

Meowth #2: Meowth. 

Ash: Hah, Meowth?

Pikachu: Pika?

Brock: Uh, this outta be interesting.

Togepi: Togi togi.

Meowth: Hey Meowth good luck!

Meowth #2: Meow, meow, meow...

Ash: Let's see... Meowth's attacks are...

Meowth: Use the Fury Swipes!

Ash: Huh? Uh...?

Instructor: Poké Ball, go! \\He tosses the Ball and a Vaporeon pops out.

Vaporeon: Vaporeon!

Ash: A Vaporeon. OK Meowth, use the Fury Swipes.

Meowth #2: Meow.

Instructor: Vaporeon, use your Ice Beam now!

Vaporeon: Vaporeon! \\It shoots a beam of ice at Meowth.

Meowth #2: Meow- \\It gets frozen in ice.

Ash: Oh, Meowth!

Instructor: \\''He recalls Vaporeon back. ''Look's like another victory for me.

Ash: That was fast...

Meowth: Look what you did! \\''He jumps up and scratches Ash's face up. ''How could you treat a fellow Meowth that way? \\He kicks the ice open.

Meowth #2: Meowth?

Meowth: Sorry you had to go through that.

Instructor: Say now, I'd love to catch that talking Meowth there. Poké Ball, go! \\''He throws a Poké Ball at Meowth but it's stopped by the Ivysaur, Charizard, and Pikachu James had. Ash, Misty, Brock, Todd, and the instructor gasp in surprise. Jessie and James are shown standing behind all the Pokémon. ''Return those Pokémon immediately!

Jessie: We're not taking orders from you anymore Mr. Exam Man.

James: Now we're the ones who are going to test you!

Instructor: What?

Jessie: Prepare yourself for trouble!

James: I suggest you make that double!

Ash: Aw, it's Team Rocket!

Jessie: To protect the world from devastation.

James: To unite all peoples within our nation.

Jessie: To denounce the evils of truth and love.

James: To extend our reach to the stars above.

Jessie: Jessie!

James: James!

Jessie: Team Rocket, blasts off at the speed of light!

James: Surrender now or prepare to fight!

Meowth: Meowth, that's right!

Ash: Don't interfere with my test!

Instructor: Just go home and study harder and you can try again next time.

Jessie: Unfortunately for you, there won't be a next time. But now that we've rounded up all these Pokémon, it's payback time.

James: \\''Starts dancing around. ''Pikachu, Ivysaur, Charizard, go! Are you ready?!

Pokémon: \\They all make their various noises.

Meowth: And I'm gonna teach you a lesson for picking on a Meowth!

Instructor: Huh?

Misty: We're not gonna let you do it.

Ash: Go Pikachu.

Pikachu: Pika!

Jessie: Ivysaur, the Vine Whip now!

James: Charizard, Flamethrower now!

Meowth: Pikachu, Thunder now!

Instructor: Listen up! Ivysaur, Charizard, Pikachu, about face now! \\''The Pokémon turn around and face Team Rocket, causing them to jump back in surprise. Charizard, Ivysaur, and Pikachu attack Team Rocket.''

Misty: How did you..?

Ash: Oh, they obeyed you because you're the one who raised all of them.

Instructor: Very good, Ash.

Ash: Meowth, Weezing, Arbok, stop Team Rocket! \\Arbok attacks Jessie, Meowth #2 attacks Meowth, and Koffing attacks James.

Jessie: Stop it Arbok! That hurts!

James: Weezing please! I can't breathe!

Ash: OK Weezing, Explosion now!

Weezing: Weezing, \\It explodes, leaving a giant hole in the battlefield.

Team Rocket: Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!

\\The camera cuts to outside the building.

Instructor: I am terribly sorry everyone.

\\The camera cuts to inside the building.

Instructor: But Team Rocket's intrusion has interfered with the entire examination. We have to start over from the very beginning. \\The crowd talks among themselves.

Joy: You mean after all that hard work we did?

Instructor: Well young man, you did a fine job of getting rid of Team Rocket. What do you say, do you want to give the test another try?

Ash:  Uh. no thanks sir, I don't think so.

Instructor: I'm sure you'll pass this time.

Ash: Oh, it's not that. I just think I'm better off getting badges my own way for now. Right,Pikachu?

Pikachu: Pika!

Misty: You've proved you're a great battler after all.

Ash: Thanks, Misty. I guess so.

Misty: Well, if you learned that lesson, I'd say the test really was worth taking.

Ash: Yeah, that's true Misty! Anyway, it sure was awesome to battle with all those different Pokémon.

\\The camera cuts to Ash, Misty, and Brock walking off, with Nurse Joy and the instructor waving them goodbye.

Narrator: Many roads lead to the Pokémon League. Ash's chosen path is to win all eight gym badges. Only then can he continue to fulfill his dream of reaching the ultimate goal. Becoming a Pokémon master.

\\Todd comes running from the building holding an injured Meowth.

Todd: Hey, where's Ash?

Joy: They already left. They're on their way to the next gym. \\''She notices the Meowth and gasps. ''What's wrong with that Meowth?

Todd: It got hurt in the explosion. \\The Meowth wakes up.

Meowth: Huh, where am I?

Instructor: \\''He grabs the Meowth. ''This must be...

Meowth: Huh... Meowth! What's goin' on? Where's Jessie? Where's James?! Huh?

Instructor: I finally got my talking Meowth!

Meowth: Ah, wait a minute, wait a minute! Ah! \\He jumps out of his arms.

Narrator: There seems to be a little mix-up!

\\''The camera cuts to Team Rocket.  Jessie: \\She groans in frustration. ''We'll show those twerps the next time!

James: Next time, Team Rocket triumphs!

Jessie: Meowth, don't you have anything to say?

Meowth #2: \\''It turns around. ''Meowth-owth.

James: Hm?

Jessie: Huh?

Meowth: Meow, Meowth, Meowth. Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow..

[TO BE CONTINUED]