Fight for Honor is the sixth episode of the first season of To Be a Master: Indigo League. It aired on March 15th, 2020.
Plot[]
| Previous episode: | Next episode: |
| Surge of Power | Time Heals |
Emerald, Beedrill, Leaf, and Wartortle stand before the Squirtle Squad on Route 6. Wartortle talks with them.
Wartortle: (Excited) War, war!
Emerald: (Grins) Wartortle’s traveling with me to become the strongest!
The Squirtle Squad gasp with astonishment. One Squirtle looks at Wartortle, cackling. Wartortle points at it. The Squirtle gasps before breaking into a grin, followed by Wartortle who kneels down.
Wartortle: War! War, wartortle!
Leaf: I think, it made Squirtle the leader?
Wartortle stands up, waving at them.
Squirtle Squad: (In unison) Squirt, Squirtle!
Wartortle: Wa, Wartortle!
The Squirtle Squad scatters off towards Vermilion City, leaving Emerald, Beedrill, Leaf, and Wartortle behind.
Leaf: (Looking at Pokédex) Says we’re approaching Saffron City where there’s a gym. Specializes in Psychic types.
Emerald: (Shouts) Here I come, Saffron!
Emerald returns Wartortle. They walk through Route 6, approaching Saffron City’s entrance gate. An Officer Jenny stands at the gate.
Officer Jenny: Hello! Do you two have ID?
Emerald: I don’t know about Beedrill, (Leaf gives Emerald the look) I mean yeah!
Emerald and Leaf show their Pokédex, Officer Jenny accepting it.
Officer Jenny: Professor Oak said there’d be trainers coming in from Vermilion with a, a… Poképedia?
Leaf: (Corrects her) Pokédex.
Officer Jenny: (Scans information) Well, looks like everything is set! You two have a nice day.
Emerald, Beedrill, and Leaf enter Saffron City. Emerald and Beedrill look at the large, bustling city with astonishment. They take note of the Silph Co. skyscraper, gasping.
Emerald: Woah! I’ve never seen so many buildings! I thought Vermilion was big but there’s more buildings here than I’ve seen in my entire life! (Grins, proudly standing) Just means more people to impress!
Beedrill: (Antennae wiggle) Bee!
Leaf: (Laughs) You won’t see cities this big here. Silph Co. helped industrialize Saffron City, with some backing from some of the gym leaders like Giovanni and wealthy businessmen such as Kodai. Erika, one of the gym leaders in Kanto, her father is actually the CEO of Silph Co.
Emerald’s attention snaps to Leaf upon hearing “gym leader.”
Emerald: Gym leader?!
Leaf: (Sighs) You weren’t listening, were you?
Emerald: Pfft, I was! But in case I wasn’t, what were you saying about a gym leader?!
Leaf: Erika, Celadon City’s gym leader, she’s the daughter of Silph Co.’s CEO. (Emerald cocks his head) You know, Silph Co., the company that helped Saffron City grow? They’re everywhere throughout Kanto, they even own the Game Corner back in Celadon City.
Emerald: Blah, blah, blah, that doesn’t sound interesting at all!
Emerald, Beedrill, and Leaf pass by hordes of people talking with each other.
Person 1: Can ya believe Gary lost to Sabrina?
Person 2: (Gasps) He did? But he beat Lt. Surge on his first try!
Person 1: (Snideful) Hah, just dumb luck. Just goes to show that being an Oak won’t take ya far in life!
Emerald perks up, rushes up to them. Leaf sighs exasperatedly.
Emerald: (With glee) Gary lost? Where is he?!
Person 1: Err, heard the Pokémon Trainer Fan -
Emerald sprints off with Beedrill following, leaving Leaf behind.
Person 2: Weird kid.
Person 1: You’re telling me, eh?
Leaf: (Sighs) I should go after him,
Scene change
Emerald and Beedrill burst through the doors of the Pokémon Trainer Fan Club. He marches towards the center of the room, Gary. Gary is talking with his fans and cheerleaders.
Cheerleader 1: Aren’t Gary’s teeth so shiny? They’re almost as good as his, (puts hand to head) his amazing hair!
Cheerleader 2: What do you use??
Emerald: (Determinedly) Gary! I challenge you to a battle!
Beedrill’s antennae wiggle.
Gary: (Faces Emerald) Eh? (Sneers) Who are you again?
Emerald crashes to the ground, sighing exasperatedly. He gets back up, furious.
Emerald: You know who I am! I’ve battled you, (pauses, counting with his fingers) once!
Beedrill: Bee.
Emerald: (Corrects himself) Twice! Thanks, Beedrill.
Gary: (Gives a perplexed look) Not ringing a b - (cockily smiles) ohh, I recognize you! You’re that kid I beat twice! Hah, for some reason my gramps thinks highly of you. I knew he was losing it when his hair started to gray!
Emerald: (Grins) I beat Lt. Surge!
Gary: (Mocking) Hah, and how many tries did it take?
Emerald pauses, looking around and realizing Leaf wasn’t here to give him the look. Beedrill raises an eye, confused.
Emerald: Only, (counts on his fingers again) once! I didn’t lose to him like you did to Sabrina!
Gary’s cheerleaders and fans are stunned, booing Emerald.
Cheerleader 1: How, how dare you?!
Gary: (Pulls out a Pokéball) So you think you can beat me then? (Notices Emerald’s belt) Four Pokémon? Hah, I’ve got four times that! Well, this’ll be a four-on-four battle then. Spearow, go!
Gary releases Spearow. Emerald backs away, positioning himself in the room.
Emerald: (Grins) I know I can! Let’s go, Bulbasaur!
Emerald releases Bulbasaur, who lies on her stomach lazily.
Gary: Hah, a grass type against a flying? (Snickers) Then you’re as good as beat!
Emerald: (Face heats up before Emerald grins) You’ll lose even if you have the advantage, cause I’m the strongest!
Gary: We’ll see about that! Spearow, Quick Attack!
Emerald: Bulbasaur, use Seed Bomb! Bulbasaur begins to snore, making everyone laugh. Beedrill shakes its head. Emerald sighs exasperatedly as Spearow strikes Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur jolts up, seeing Emerald from the corner of her eyes and gritting her teeth.
Emerald: Bulbasaur, could you listen to me? I need your help! Use Seed Bomb!
Bulbasaur: (Disobedient) Bulba!
Gary snickers.
Emerald: What’re you laughing at?!
Gary: C’mon, your Bulbasaur doesn’t even listen to you! Spearow, Aerial Ace!
Emerald: Bulbasaur, just attack!
Bulbasaur grunts lazily, sitting back down. Spearow is engulfed by white lights, spinning through the air as it attempts to strike Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur jumps out of the way, however Spearow redirects its movements and swoops up into Bulbasaur’s side. Bulbasaur is flung away by the attack.
Bulbasaur: (Frustrated) Bulba!
Emerald: How did Spearow move so fast?!
Gary: Heh, Aerial Ace always hits! Aerial Ace again!
Emerald: Sleep Powder!
Gary: Eh?! Spearow, dodge!
Bulbasaur releases a barrage of seeds towards Spearow. Spearow turns, evading the attack.
Emerald: Tackle!
Gary: Pull back!
Bulbasaur uses Seed Bomb instead, nailing Spearow with a barrage that sends Spearow backwards. Spearow recovers from the attacks quickly.
Gary: Leer to Aerial Ace!
Emerald: Bulbasaur! Seed Bomb!
Scene change
Leaf is strolling through the streets of Saffron City, passing by an airport. She bumps into a green-haired boy with a green sweater vest.
Leaf: (Apologetic) Oh, sorry!
The boy leaps back, startled.
Boy: (Panicking) O - oh my! I - I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize you were behind me! I - I’m really sorry! Please don’t mind me, I didn’t mean to, I -
Leaf: (Confused) It’s… alright. (Gives a reassuring smile) I was just wandering around the city, no need to worry.
Boy: Oh, thank you! I - if it’s alright, I’d like to… to… (falters, embarrassed)
Leaf: Uh, is everything alright?
The boy becomes flustered, hiding his face beneath his arms.
Boy: (Breaks out into a sweat) P - Please don’t mind me!
Leaf: If you’d like, you could walk with me. (Sticks a hand out, smiling) I’m Leaf!
The boy looks up briefly, noticing her smile. He hesitantly reaches it out, shaking her hand.
Boy: I’m… I’m Leaf, nice to meet you, Khoury!
Leaf gives a confused sigh, however smiling despite that. She walks forward, Khoury noticing and speed walking to match her pace.
Scene change
Bulbasaur is panting heavily, lying on her side with discontent. Emerald grits his teeth, looking at Gary’s Spearow who is in better condition.
Emerald: Bulbasaur, Sleep Powder!
Gary: Aerial Ace!
Bulbasaur rolls over, resting on its bulb now. Spearow pulls back, darting towards Bulbasaur as white light engulfs it. Bulbasaur winces from the attack, rolling onto its side, defeated.
Gary: (Sneers) Hah! Didn’t stand a chance against me!
Cheerleaders: (In unison) Gary, Gary, he’s our man, if he can’t do it then no one can!
Emerald: (Returns Bulbasaur, frustrated) Well, I’m not no one! Wartortle, come on out!
Emerald sends out Wartortle. Wartortle spins around in its shell, popping out to strike a pose. It tilts its sunglasses.
Gary: Eh? A first-stage Pokémon? Not bad. (Notices injuries and sunglasses) But not good enough! Spearow, Aerial Ace!
Emerald: Wartortle, Water Pulse!
Wartortle creates a sphere of water, aiming it at Spearow. Spearow dodges with Aerial Ace, shooting towards Wartortle.
Emerald: Wartortle, Ice Punch!
Gary: Dodge!
Spearow hesitates upon hearing the command as it nears Wartortle, allowing for Wartortle to strike it with Ice Punch. Spearow is thrown back by the attack, its wing covered in frost.
Emerald: Water Pulse!
Gary: (Desperately) Drill Run!
Wartortle shoots another Water Pulse at Gary, Spearow spinning in place. It spins slowly due to its frosted wing. The Water Pulse attack connects, striking Spearow and knocking it out. Gary returns Spearow.
Gary: (Grits teeth, before breaking out into a grin) Hah! Almost makes me think of using my starter, but face it, you wouldn’t last a second against it!
Emerald: What?! Your Spearow lost!
Beedrill nods.
Gary: (Pulls out Pokédex) Wartortle, eh? Let’s see if it can counter my newest catch, Abra!
Gary sends out Abra, a small yellow Pokémon. Emerald whips out his Pokédex, scanning the Pokémon.
Pokédex: Abra, the Psi Pokémon. It senses impending attacks and teleports away to safety before the actual attacks can strike.
Scene change
Leaf: So, what’re you doing in Saffron City, Khoury? I’m here with a friend, (irritated) he’s battling someone though.
Khoury: I’m… (Sheepishly) I’m not really sure, to be honest.
Leaf: (Confused) Huh?
Khoury: A - ah, I didn’t realize how confusing that’d be! I meant… I don’t know. I’m, it’s kind of silly… I’m, uh, traveling around. You know, well not that you would, but, I’m trying to…
Leaf: Oh! So you want to figure out what you want to do by traveling?
Khoury: Y - yeah.
Leaf: Me, I want to be a Pokémon Professor when I grow up. I’m studying evolution specifically, since I’m curious on the origin of Pokémon species and how they’ve evolved since.
Khoury: (Wide-eyed) Wow! T - that sounds fascinating!
Leaf tilts her head, giving a smile.
Leaf stops by the Pokémon Trainer Fan Club, hearing shouts of “Ice Punch!” and “Thunder Punch!” She sighs, laughing.
Khoury: W - what’s going on in there?
Leaf: That’s probably my friend, Emerald. He’s battling someone, Gary probably. We should check it out.
Leaf and Khoury walk inside, seeing Emerald’s Wartortle and Gary’s Abra fight each other. Abra teleports around the field as Wartortle tries to strike it with Ice Punch, Abra hitting it with Thunder Punch.
Emerald: Gah! It won’t let us attack! It just teleports away!
Gary: (Sneers) Didn’t you listen to the Pokédex? Your Wartortle can’t touch us!
Leaf: (Comments on the sidelines) Abra, Gary must’ve caught it around Saffron City since Route 6 doesn’t have any. He must’ve taken the Underground Path then and caught it on the way here.
Khoury: H - how can he beat it? That thing’s untouchable!
Wartortle is struck by another Thunder Punch, this time connecting in the shell. Static forms around Wartortle, paralyzing it. Despite the attack, Wartortle only grunts from the attack, experiencing little pain.
Emerald: (Grits teeth) Wartortle!
Leaf: (Commenting) Abra’s not much of a physical attacker and Gary seems to have been relying mostly on its speed. That’s cause of its frail defense, one mistake, and the battle should turn in Emerald’s favor.
Gary: Eh, your Wartortle is no match for us! Are you gonna switch out?
Emerald: Never! We’re gonna fight till we beat you!
Khoury: (Commenting) Why?
Leaf: (Commenting) Emerald… has a narrow view when it comes to battles. He’s got a strong sense of honor, but, (pauses) he’s too honorable for his own good.
Gary: Thunder Punch again!
Emerald: Wartortle, use Rapid Spin and Ice Punch at the same time!
Wartortle struggles to move with its shell and paralysis, however it spins inside of its shell. Abra goes in for a Thunder Punch attack, being struck by a barrier of ice that freezes its arm.
Emerald: Now, Iron Tail!
Before Abra can sense the danger, Wartortle pops out of its shell, leaping towards Abra tail-first.
Gary: Thunder Punch!
Abra’s icy fist is engulfed in electricity, shattering the ice. Wartortle slams its metallic tail into Abra’s electric-engulfed fist, the two attacks colliding and sending each other flung backwards. Wartortle and Abra both lay on the field, fainted.
Emerald and Gary: (In unison) Return!
Beedrill: Bee!
Khoury: (Commenting) H - he did it! (Amazed) Wow… I couldn’t believe he managed to turn the match around! T - that was so cool!
Leaf: (Commenting) When it really counts, that’s when Emerald shines. (Sighs) Too bad that’s not too often.
Gary: (Sneers) Not bad for an Abra I caught a few days ago. That Wartortle of yours, was that Surge’s?
Emerald: Huh? (Grins sheepishly) Yeah! It wanted to become stronger!
Gary: Hah, then it should’ve gone with me if it wanted to grow! (Grabs Pokéball) Well, let’s see if you can take on my Machop! (Releases Machop) Go!
Machop flexes before the crowd, the crowd roaring.
Emerald: (Releases Charmander) Let’s go, Charmander!
Charmander waddles on the field, eyeing Machop.
Gary: Machop, Karate Chop!
Emerald: Ember!
Machop dashes towards Charmander, hacking and slashing at Charmander with Karate Chop. Charmander takes each hit, blowing a stream of fire at Machop. Machop is unfazed, continuing its flurry of Karate Chop.
Emerald: C - Charmander, dodge!
Charmander winces, scratching at Machop. Machop takes the attack, using Karate Chop to send Charmander flying backwards.
Beedrill shakes its head in disapproval.
Khoury: (Commenting) W - why isn’t it listening?
Leaf: (Commenting) Charmander used to have another trainer who abandoned her, called her weak. She wants to prove herself, even in situations she doesn’t have to.
Emerald: Dragon Rage!
Charmander shakes her head, running towards Machop.
Gary: Machop, Low Kick!
Machop ducks down, dodging a Scratch attack, and sweeping Charmander off of the floor. She lands on her back, grunting. She gets back up, continuing to use Scratch.
Gary: Revenge!
Machop takes the Scratch attack, grinning as its body gains a red aura. It punches Charmander, sending her flying through a table. A fan leaps out of the way, gasping.
Emerald: T - that power!
Gary: (Sneers) Heh! Revenge does more damage when attacked.
Emerald: Charmander, (sighs), if you wanna play this game, then so will I! Scratch!
Charmander dashes towards Machop, gaining a metallic texture on its hand as it strikes Machop. Machop stands, unfazed.
Leaf: (Gasps) That was Metal Claw! Charmander must have adapted with Scratch! (Grits teeth) But it still did barely any damage.
Khoury: (Whispers) C - Charmander… I believe in you!
Machop scoffs, chopping Charmander’s side with Karate Chop. Charmander falls onto one knee, grunting.
Gary: Finish this off… Seismic Toss!
Emerald: Charmander, dodge!
Machop grabs Charmander by the legs, jumping into the air and swinging in the air before throwing Charmander into the ground. Dust kicks up as Machop swoops down with Karate Chop, striking Charmander.
Emerald: (Coughs) Charmander!
The dust clears, Machop standing over Charmander’s exhausted body proudly.
Emerald: (Returns Charmander) It’s alright, you did your best!
Gary: And her best wasn’t good enough!
Emerald: (Grits teeth) Let’s go, Beedrill!
Beedrill hovers onto the field, ready to attack.
Gary: (Thinking) All fighting-type moves, can’t do much for it… I’ll just have to take advantage of Revenge. (Shouts) Revenge!
Emerald: Rage!
Beedrill rushes forward, attacking Machop. Machop takes the attack, punching Beedrill hard. Beedrill grunts.
Emerald: Continue to use Rage!
Gary: Keep at it!
Beedrill and Machop attack with a flurry of Rage and Revenge respectively, continuously attacking with increased strength.
Emerald: Pull back, Drill Run!
Gary: Catch it and use Revenge!
Beedrill speeds towards Machop with Agility, twirling through the air with Twineedle to create an imperfect Drill Run attack. The Drill Run connects with Machop, outspeeding Machop and knocking it out.
Emerald: Alright! Hah, take that!
Gary: (Grins) Return! Come on out, (sends out Pokémon) Nidorina!
A Nidorina appears on the field, shaking its head furiously. Emerald is stunned, taking a step back.
Emerald: That was the Nidoran♀ I almost caught! I - it evolved!
Gary: Hah, of course it did! Nidorina, Bite!
Nidorina launches forward, biting onto Beedrill’s stinger ferociously. Beedrill lets out a yelp, crying in pain.
Beedrill: B - BEE!
Emerald: Shake her off of you!
Beedrill waves Nidorina around, trying to let go of her. Beedrill slams its other stinger into Nidorina, slamming it onto the ground.
Emerald: Rage!
Leaf: (Commenting) Oh no… Emerald used to use Rage a lot with Beedrill, and now he’s falling back on it. He keeps getting caught up with Gary!
Khoury: (Commenting) Y - you said Charmander wanted to prove herself I - I, I think he wants to prove himself too! Show that he’s just as strong!
Leaf: (Sighs) Unfortunately, that doesn’t work in instances where he isn’t.
Beedrill thrashes around, slamming at Nidorina.
Gary: Fury Swipes!
Emerald: Keep on attacking with Rage!
Beedrill repeatedly attacks at Nidorina, who manages to dodge each attack, having predicted Beedrill’s Rage attack. Nidorina leaps towards Beedrill, clawing at it repeatedly.
Gary: Finish it off with Double Kick!
Emerald: Rage!
Beedrill thrusts its stinger forward, Nidorina leaping out of the way. She kicks Beedrill once in the side, throwing it off guard before kicking Beedrill onto the ground with a “thud!” Beedrill lands on its back, groaning in pain.
Cheerleaders: (Roaring with happiness) Gary, Gary, he’s our man, if he can’t do it then no one can!
Gary: All that talk, and, (speaks loudly for the crowd) you still couldn’t win! If you couldn't even beat me, then you won't be able to touch Sabrina!
Emerald: (Grits teeth) I’ll do whatever it takes to beat you! You beat me, but that doesn’t mean this is over!
Gary turns his back to talk to one of his fans, yawning.
Emerald: Hey! Gary! I told you, this isn’t over!
Scene change
Emerald is inside of the Pokémon Center, his team having healed. Beedrill hovers beeside him. Leaf and Khoury walk over to Emerald. Emerald turns around, startled.
Emerald: L - Leaf?! Where were you? And, (turns towards Khoury) who’s this guy?
Leaf: (Sighs) You left me behind, remember? Well, I walked around. I caught some of your battle, didn’t catch the beginning. (Emerald gives a “phew”) And this is Khoury! He’s not from Kanto, he came here to find out what he wants to do.
Khoury waves shyly.
Khoury: H - hey, I bumped into your friend here and was so worried that I’d get in trouble and decided to tag along to pay for it and then I -
Emerald: (Sighs, grinning) Well! The more, the merrier! (Pauses) But! I have standards!
Leaf: W - wha?! Since whe - (Emerald cuts her off)
Emerald: Pfft, whatever! That doesn’t matter! If he doesn’t know what he wants to do, then he’ll have to contribute something!
Emerald: Well, what about a battle?
Khoury: I - I’m not much of a battler! I’ve never battled with my Kangaskhan before!
Emerald turns his back, ready to walk away. Khoury rushes towards Emerald, bowing before him.
Khoury: (Looking down) P - please! I may not be a battler, b - but when I saw you battle today, I knew I wanted to travel with you and Leaf! I - I want to have a goal, just like you, that I’ll work towards! E- even when I’m k - knocked down, I, I want to push forward! I know… I want to find my honor!
Emerald: (Grins) Alright! Welcome aboard!
Major Events[]
- Wartortle says goodbye to the Squirtle Squad.
- Gary is revealed to own an Abra, Machop, and have evolved Nidoran♀ into a Nidorina.
- Charmander learns Metal Claw.
- Khoury is revealed to own a Kangaskhan.
- Khoury joins the main cast.
Characters[]
Pokémon[]
- Beedrill (Emerald's)
- Bulbasaur (Emerald's)
- Wartortle (Emerald's)
- Charmander (Emerald's)
- Spearow (Gary's)
- Abra (Gary's)
- Machop (Gary's)
- Nidorina (Gary's)
Trivia[]
- Giovanni is mentioned for the first time within the series.
- Kodai is mentioned.
- Erika being the daughter of the Silph Co. president is based off of the Pocket Monsters manga, the author feeling this would make for an interesting development.
- This was also to connect the overall gym leader plot with the Team Rocket plot, due to Silph Co. being a notable location in the games for its Team Rocket takeover.
- Gary mentions owning 4 times as many Pokémon as Emerald, who has 4. This means Gary has 16 Pokémon.
- Gary owns a Machop, despite it not appearing in any routes near Saffron City in the games. This is mostly a creative liberty, since the author wanted to establish a rivalry between Machop and Charmander as early on as possible.
- Emerald's Charmander briefly disobeys Emerald, however unlike the anime this isn't in a fit of rage but Charmander wanting to uphold her honor. Machop used physical attacks and overwhelmed Charmander, and so Charmander wanted to prove it could do the same.
- This is why Charmander learned Metal Claw.
- Emerald later follows this behavior, feeling his honor at stake when Charmander loses. When Beedrill knocks out Machop, this makes him cocky, causing him to make the same mistakes he did in earlier episodes.
- Khoury initially would've owned a Chansey as his starter instead of a Kangaskhan. This was changed due to Kangaskhan having more relevance later on, and it representing Khoury's character better.