Surge of Power is the fifth episode of the first season of To Be a Master: Indigo League. It aired on March 8th, 2020.
Plot[]
Previous episode: | Next episode: |
Wanted! | Fight for Honor |
Emerald drifts through the water, unconscious. A stubby Pokémon appears, swimming out and diving for Emerald. The Pokémon swims through the water, struggling to tread water. Emerald slowly gains consciousness. He sees a rugged shell with many cracks.
Emerald: (Murmurs) W… war, wartortle…?
Wartortle determinedly swims, pushing forward. Emerald makes sight of the Vermilion beach, seeing Leaf sitting on the sand. Wartortle continues to tread water, making it to the beach. It throws Emerald onto the sand, collapsing onto the ground.
Wartortle: (Exhausted) War, war…
Emerald: W - where’s, (coughs out water, shivering) Beedrill? Charmander?!
Leaf: (Defeated) I returned them to their Pokéball.
Emerald falls onto his back, sighing.
Emerald: (Rubs arms) What now? We have no proof of Team Rocket’s activity and got beat!
Leaf: (Sighs) Could be worse I suppose, Wartortle at least saved us.
Emerald turns his head towards Wartortle, looking at it.
Emerald: Huh… it did. (Thinking) Wartortle went out and saved us even after it got beat.
Leaf: (Puzzled) Where are you going with this?
Emerald hops onto his feet with a grin, holding his fist in the air.
Emerald: If Wartortle could do that, then we owe it to the missing Pokémon to try again!
Leaf: (Baffled) What?!
She gets up, twisting her soggy hat to remove water.
Leaf: You realize, we lost horribly to Ken’s Electabuzz? Ken of all people?!
Emerald: I lost to Lt. Surge the first time, and you were the one who got me up on my feet! Why can’t you do the same, so we can save those Pokémon?
Leaf: We’re not dealing with a regular gym battle! We’re dealing with a criminal organization! We’re way over our heads here!
Wartortle: (Groaning, getting up) War…
Emerald: Wartortle did the same for us, we owe it to it! I’m going to take down Team Rocket, and if you’re not going to help then I’ll do it myself!
Emerald turns his back towards Leaf, stomping off. Wartortle looks confused at the two, waddling towards Leaf.
Wartortle: War? War, war!
Leaf: (Sighs) Thank you for saving us, however I can’t repay you. I don’t like Team Rocket, but we're helpless.
Wartortle grabs Leaf’s wrist, gesturing to follow it.
Wartortle: War!
Leaf: You, wanna show me something?
Wartortle nods its head at Emerald.
Leaf: Show us?
Wartortle nods its head aggressively.
Leaf: Alright, I’ll follow you. (Calls out to Emerald) Emerald!
Emerald turns around.
Leaf: Wartortle wants to show us something.
Scene change
The two are in the Pokémon Center, their Pokémon having been healed.
Leaf: Why did Wartortle want to bring us to the Pokémon Center? It couldn’t have been just for healing our Pokémon.
Emerald: I’m not sure, but it has to be important!
Wartortle appears, dragging the two towards Mr. Bonji.
Mr. Bonji: (Turns towards them) Ah, hello! Emerald, Leaf, how good to see you! (Notices Wartortle, crouching) Ah, hello, Wartortle! (Stands up) What brings you three here?
Wartortle: War, war!
Wartortle points at the pictures framed on the walls.
Leaf: Wartortle wants to show us something, but we’re not sure what.
Mr. Bonji: (Notices the scratches on Wartortle’s face) Hm, given its face, (turns Wartortle around, seeing its shell) and its shell, I’m assuming it’s the Wartortle from the Great War?
Wartortle nods its head.
Mr. Bonji: Ah! Well then, I have pictures of you, Wartortle, some from the war. Is that what you want to show the two?
Wartortle nods its head again.
Leaf: Pictures from the war? Why would it want to show us pictures?
Emerald: Nurse Joy said it cracked its shell during the war, is that why?
Wartortle shakes its head, but then pauses before nodding its head.
Mr. Bonji: (Chuckles) Well, how about I guide you three and see if that will satisfy Wartortle.
Mr. Bonji walks towards one of the pictures framed on the wall. It’s a picture of Wartortle saving a blond man, taken from an aerial shot.
Mr. Bonji: This is one of the most well-known photographs from the war, Wartortle saving Lt. Surge. At the time, Lt. Surge’s squad had betrayed Kanto for their lives. Lt. Surge had taken down all disloyal troops alongside Wartortle, where Wartortle’s shell was cracked by a Gyarados that killed his entire squad. The second S.S. Anne (points at the picture) was destroyed by rampant Gyarados. Lt. Surge barely escaped with his life, as did Wartortle.
Wartortle scowls. Leaf kneels down to look it in the eye.
Leaf: Not a fan of Johto, huh?
Wartortle shakes its head to everyone’s surprise.
Emerald: Huh?! They killed your entire squad!
Wartortle grimaces, crossing its arms. It waddles off.
Leaf: (Pauses, thinking) Wartortle, you were there when the troops betrayed Lt. Surge, right?
Wartortle nods its head.
Leaf: Was Lt. Surge loyal?
Wartortle pauses, grimacing. It shakes its head.
Emerald: Wait, what?!
Mr. Bonji: Wartortle, what do you mean?
Leaf: (Raises a finger) I’ve been thinking, Lt. Surge is the one who runs most sailor activity in the S.S. Anne, (falters)
Emerald: (Widens eyes) He said he had a large shipment coming in when I went to battle him! And the crates contained the missing Pokémon!
Leaf: Ken’s main Pokémon is an Electabuzz, an electric type. Given we’re in southern Kanto, an Electabuzz is incredibly rare.
Emerald: (Turns towards Wartortle) Is that why you’re against Team Rocket? Because Lt. Surge is a traitor? He’s… apart of Team Rocket.
Slowly, Wartortle nods its head.
Scene change
Emerald stomps down the port of Vermilion City, furious.
Emerald: (Shouting) LT. SURGE! I WANT MY REMATCH!
The sailors’ attention jolts towards Emerald who approaches the S.S. Anne. They watch, stunned.
Emerald: I KNOW YOU’RE IN THERE!
A sailor stands in Emerald’s way.
Sailor: Kid, you’re trespassing.
Emerald: (Pulls out a Pokéball) Out of the way!
The sailor refuses to budge. Beedrill hisses threateningly, causing him to stand down. Emerald walks towards the entrance of the S.S. Anne, marching his way through the hallways. He goes up the stairs, arriving at the deck where he sees Lt. Surge with his back turned.
Lt. Surge: I could hear you all the way from here, (irritated) what do you want?
Emerald: (Grits teeth) A rematch.
Lt. Surge: (Blankly) What? Do you realize, (cut off)
Emerald: You’re apart of Team Rocket.
Lt. Surge: (Incredulous) What?
Lt. Surge is unable to follow up with anything else.
Emerald: The missing Pokémon! T - the thing that Ken’s - no, your - Electabuzz had, the S.S. Anne, this was all you!
Lt. Surge: (Grits teeth) What did you want, again?
Emerald: A rematch!
Lt. Surge: You tell me everything you know and how, or you won’t be leaving the S.S. Anne with a battle.
Emerald: (Stunned) Huh? (Puts on a brave face) A - alright!
Lt. Surge: Not so tough when you’re not in command, eh? Since there’s no standing referee, I’ll explain the few rules there are; two-on-two, we’ll battle until one of us has lost, and (grins madly) anything goes.
Emerald: H - huh?
Lt. Surge: Whatever you have to do to knock out a Pokémon, or trainer, is fair game. Entire ship’s free to use as the battlefield.
Emerald: W - what?!
Lt. Surge: (Tilts head, sneering) You backing down?
Emerald: (Determined) Never!
Lt. Surge: Magnemite, fill-in.
In quick succession, he releases Magnemite. Emerald backs away, hesitating over his first choice as he holds a Pokéball on his belt.
Lt. Surge: (Barking) Magnemite, Mirror Shot!
Emerald flings himself out of the way from Mirror Shot, tossing the first Pokéball on him.
Emerald: Let’s go!
Charmander is released from the Pokéball.
Emerald: (Without hesitation) Dragon rage!
Lt. Surge: Block with Mirror Shot, into Spark!
Emerald takes a few steps back as Charmander releases a stream of indigo fireballs at Magnemite, the latter countering with a blast of green energy. The deck is covered briefly in smoke, dissipating as Magnemite charges at Charmander, engulfed in electricity.
Emerald: Charmander, dodge!
Magnemite slams into Charmander, sending her skidding through the wooden planks of the deck and down the stairs. Emerald follows Charmander down the stairs. Lt. Surge marches after him with Magnemite.
Lt. Surge: (Irritated) What do you know? How?!
Emerald: (Looks back That you're wrong! That you steal Pokémon, f - for, money!
Lt. Surge: (Snarls) Those Pokémon make Team Rocket money, and let us use power enhancers. Magnet Bomb!
Emerald: Charmander!
Magnemite rips off the metallic railings from the stairs with magnetism, sending them flying at Charmander.
Emerald: Burn them with Ember!
Charmander gets back up, spewing flames at the railings. The impact of the railings and flames cause an explosion, sending Emerald and Charmander flying backwards through the hall.
Lt. Surge: Again! (Scowls) Now, answer me, what else do you know?
Emerald: (Grunts) He just outpowers us. (Shouts) Charmander, Smokescreen!
Charmander releases a thin, black smoke covering the hallway. Emerald carries Charmander into one of the hallway doors, closing the door behind them as they hide. Emerald jumps, hearing another explosion.
Emerald: (Pants) Should buy us time…
Lt. Surge: (Shouting) Realized you couldn’t match us in power, so you hide, huh?! Magnet Bomb!
Emerald leans in the corner of the room, seeing the metallic elements of the door ripped off. A large explosion knocks the door down, along with others in the hallway.
Emerald: (Thinking) Magmemite’s Magnet Bomb is annoying, gotta take care of it. (Quietly) Charmander, use Ember on anything metal looking.
Magnemite inspects each room throughout the hallway, Lt. Surge following. It comes into Emerald’s room, turning to see Charmander.
Emerald: (Shouting) Ember!
Charmander releases a spew of flames that hit Magnemite, knocking it against the wall.
Lt. Surge: Heh, can’t hide anymore. Magnet Bomb up-close!
Magnemite attempts to use Magnet Bomb, not having anything metallic to attack with. Lt. Surge looks around the room, seeing the melted cabinets, desks, and bed.
Lt. Surge: Spark!
Magnemite slams into Charmander, engulfed in electricity. Charmander crashes through the walls, being sent into another room.
Lt. Surge: Now, Magnet Bomb!
Emerald looks away in horror as he hears a large explosion, followed by a blood curdling scream.
Emerald: (Shouting) Charmander!
Lt. Surge: (Looks at Emerald) What do you know?
Emerald freezes. The ground before Emerald and Lt. Surge shakes, giving way as they fall into the boiler room. Emerald gets up, groaning. He sees Charmander lying on the ground, injured, with Magnemite hovering above it.
Emerald: You’re a traitor! All of your troops betrayed Kanto for their safety,
Lt. Surge: (Snarling) I joined exactly because of people like that! I wanted vengeance for the honest troops that had fallen and Team Rocket provided that! Magnet Bomb!
Emerald: Charmander, Ember on the pipes!
Lt. Surge widens his eyes, blinded by an explosion of steam. Emerald, Lt. Surge, and Magnemite are flung into a wall, slumped against it. Charmander withstands the explosion, however collapses from exhaustion. Emerald gets up, disappearing into the steam as Lt. Surge gets up with a groan. He returns Magnemite, sending out Electabuzz.
Lt. Surge: (Barks) Where are you?!
Lt. Surge travels through the steam, feeling the intensity of the heat. He makes it to an open door, seeing a corridor. He walks through it, finding another door, this time leading to a set of stairs. He marches up the stairs with Electabuzz, finding a corridor leading towards a memorial room.
Lt. Surge: (Shouting) Come on out!
Lt. Surge walks through the memorial room, finding statues of Wartortle and Blastoise. A pang of guilt hits Lt. Surge as he slowly strolls down the room.
Lt. Surge: Not again… (releases a terrified scream) NOT AGAIN!
Voice: Ice Punch!
One Wartortle comes to life, slamming its fist into Electabuzz’s neck. Electabuzz’s neck gains frost upon impact, restricting its movement.
Lt. Surge: W - what?!
Electabuzz rams into Wartortle, sending it flying into a wall. The two crash into a ballroom, Electabuzz slamming Wartortle into the ground.
Lt. Surge: T - that’s how you knew? Wartortle told you? (Scowls at Wartortle) YOU! I knew I should’ve left you for dead.
Emerald walks into the ballroom, grimacing.
Emerald: Wartortle, Water Pulse!
Lt. Surge: (Demanding) Seismic Toss to Thunder Punch, hit it on its shell! I want it to NEVER get up, EVER AGAIN!
Electabuzz roars, shaking the room. Electabuzz grapples onto Wartortle, slamming it onto the ground face-first. It pulls its arms back, pounding at its shell with Thunder Punch. Cracks form on the ground beneath it.
Emerald: (Shouting) Escape with Rapid Spin!
Lt. Surge: (Barking) DON’T let it escape!
Lt. Surge grabs Wartortle’s shell with one hand, continuing to pound it with Thunder Punch.
Wartortle: (Screaming) WAR!
The cracks on the ground intensify, the entire room shaking with each Thunder Punch.
Wartortle: (Screaming in pain) W - WAR!
Lt. Surge: Show it REAL torture, (raises voice) THUNDER!
Electabuzz forms a massive beam of electricity with one hand, releasing it on Wartortle’s shell. The entire room gives in along with the deck above as the cracks on the ground deepen, everyone falling into a dark room. The room is illuminated by the sparks Electabuzz emits.
Lt. Surge: Are you done yet?!
Wartortle groans, barely standing. It shakes, struggling to get up.
Emerald hobbles over towards Wartortle, holding it.
Emerald: (Panting) We’re not done… (grunts) till, I beat you! I can do this all day!
Lt. Surge: (Grunts, irritated) You’re in over your head. I’m just one part of Team Rocket, trying to fix the wrongs of the war, along with everyone else. If you don’t stand down, THUNDER AGAIN!
Emerald: I can’t stand down. (Shouting) Rapid Spin to Ice Punch!
Wartortle goes into its shell, spinning towards Electabuzz as it creates a massive beam of electricity. Wartortle pops out, slamming Electabuzz’s arms with Ice Punch. The Thunder attack misses, hitting the walls and destroying a large chunk of the S.S. Anne’s foundations. The S.S. Anne begins to lean over.
Lt. Surge: (Anger rising) ANOTHER THUNDER!
Emerald: Wartortle, Iron Tail!
Electabuzz creates a massive beam of electricity, releasing it at Wartortle. Wartortle jumps in the air, its tail gaining a metallic texture as it clashes with the Thunder attack, conducting it towards the wooden floor.
Emerald: (Thrusting fist in air) What goes around…
The Thunder attack rips at the floor, creating a divide sending Electabuzz flying back. Electabuzz is slumped on the ground, having fainted.
Emerald: (Continues) Comes around! All that power and you still couldn't beat me, hah!
Wartortle falls to the ground, having overexerted itself. Lt. Surge whips out another Pokéball.
Emerald: Huh?! What’re you doing?
Lt. Surge: (Scowls) A draw is NOT a win! Raichu, fill-in!
Lt. Surge releases Raichu. The S.S. Anne continues to lean to the left, sending everyone sliding down.
Emerald: (Grins) Beedrill, let’s go!
Emerald releases Beedrill.
Lt. Surge: Raichu, Thunder Punch!
Emerald: Dodge with Agility!
Beedrill disappears before Raichu can get up, having gained incredible speed. Raichu kisses, landing on the ground with a “THUD!” as the S.S. Anne tilts further.
Lt. Surge: (Screaming) SHOW THEM REAL TORTURE WITH THUNDER!
Emerald: Again!
Raichu charges up, its tail resting on the ground. Emerald watches, noticing it. Another massive beam of electricity rips through the S.S. Anne, Beedrill narrowly dodging with Agility. The S.S. Anne now lies on its side, resting on a seamount. Water begins to flood the remains of the S.S. Anne.
Emerald: We listened to you, Surge! Couldn’t match you in power, but (boasts proudly) we’re the best when it comes to speed! Agility to Fury Attack!
Before Lt. Surge can call out a command, Beedrill spins towards Raichu and rams its stingers into Raichu repeatedly. Emerald’s eyes widen as he has a realization.
Lt. Surge: Thunder Punch, up close!
Emerald: Pull back, now!
Raichu jumps towards Raichu and misses its Thunder Punch, landing on its face and creating a splash with the water. The water continues to rise within the S.S. Anne.
Lt. Surge: Why are you fighting when your loss is inevitable?!
Emerald: (Grins) I can't run away from a trainer battle!
Lt. Surge: (Scowls) THUNDER ON THE WATER!
Emerald: Beedrill, (raises voice, shouting determinedly) DRILL RUN!
Beedrill looks perplexed, however it nods its head. A massive bolt of thunder strikes the S.S. Anne, hitting Raichu as it uses its tail to conduct towards Beedrill. Beedrill combines its Twineedle and Agility attacks, rushing in while spinning, creating a massive vortex in the water. The bolts of lightning hit Beedrill’s stingers, being conducted against the water vortex, creating a massive wind pressure from the force of the thunder and rising water. Raichu slams against the only remaining wall, collapsing the structure of the S.S. Anne and knocking Raichu out. The S.S. Anne caves in, having been destroyed.
Scene change
Emerald lies on a pile of wreckage, groaning. He slugs off a wooden plank, standing up. No crates are in sight, no Lt. Surge either. He looks down, seeing a yellow badge. He grins, picking it up and pinning it to his hat. Wartortle groans, getting back up.
Emerald: (Grins, exhausted but happy) We beat Lt. Surge, Wartortle! (Looks around) We’re on our way to being the strongest trainer, (raises voice) in the entire world!
Scene change
Emerald is in the Pokémon Center, lying on a bench. His entire team is out of their Pokéball; Beedrill, Bulbasaur, and Charmander. They’re all patched up and reflecting on the gym battle, Charmander happily dancing, Bulbasaur trying to hide her smile, and Beedrill nodding at Emerald proudly. Leaf rushes into the Pokémon Center, searching frantically for Emerald before seeing him.
Leaf: (Pulls on Emerald’s ear) Emerald! The entire S.S. Anne sank! (Sighs) You marched in with no plan and were reckless.
Emerald: (Sheepishly smiles) I also beat Lt. Surge!
Leaf: (Continues) You’re lucky, I saw on the news, all of the Pokémon were found! And the sailors, they were all arrested! (Sighs) Lt. Surrge got away, unfortunately. (Pauses, gasping upon seeing the badge) Wait, y - you beat Lt. Surge?! I told Professor Oak you had your rematch!
Emerald: (Grins) I was worried they’d get lost.
Leaf: (Pauses) Where's Wartortle?
Wartortle hops off the Pokémon Center counter, hobbling towards Emerald with a grin.
Emerald: I barely won, cause of Wartortle! (Grins) Thanks!
Wartortle: (Happy) War, war!
Mr. Bonji and Professor Oak walk through the doors of the Pokémon Center, searching for Emerald.
Mr. Bonji: Ah, Emerald!
Professor Oak: (Notices Thunder Badge) I see you’ve beat Lt. Surge. Truth be told, I wasn’t expecting you to at first, but I realize now I have made the right decision. (Notices Emerald’s Pokémon and Wartortle) I see your team has grown!
Emerald: Actually, I only caught Cha - OW!
Wartortle punches Emerald in the shoulders.
Emerald: What was that fo - (Widens eyes, grinning) You want to join me?
Wartortle nods its head.
Professor Oak: While we're on that note, I came with Mr. Bonji to give you something, as I figured you’d rise to the expectations. (Pulls out a red device) The Pokédex, a digital encyclopedia cataloguing every Pokémon within the region.
Mr. Bonji: Leaf came in the other day to catalog some information, last minute.
Leaf smiles, flashing her own Pokédex.
Leaf: That’s why I was at the Pokémon Fan Club.
Professor Oak hands the Pokédex to Emerald.
Professor Oak: Scan your trainer ID, and this will be tied to it.
Emerald does so.
Emerald: Woah! I see Beedrill, and Bulbasaur, oh and even Charmander!
Mr. Bonji: Ah, a lot of the data is based upon the collected experiences we’ve had on our own journeys, albeit verified so everyone has accurate information!
Professor Oak: Why don’t you test out your Pokédex by capturing Wartortle?
Emerald: Alright! (Turns towards Wartortle) Let’s go, Wartortle!
He taps a Pokéball on Wartortle’s head, the Pokéball engulfing it in red plasma. The Pokéball drops to the floor, shaking three times before locking.
Emerald: (Jumps in the air) I caught, Wartortle!
Emerald grins, looking at the Pokédex, seeing Wartortle’s page pulled up.
Pokédex: Wartortle, the Turtle Pokémon, and the evolved form of Squirtle. Its tail is large and covered with a rich, thick fur. The tail becomes increasingly deeper in color as Wartortle ages. The scratches on its shell are evidence of this Pokémon's toughness as a battler.
Emerald notices Leaf is silent, staring at the floor quietly.
Emerald: Hey, Leaf, what’s up?
Leaf: (Stammers) I, I’ve been thinking… (looks at Professor Oak) I think I want to travel with Emerald on his journey.
Professor Oak: Oh? Why is that?
Leaf: There’s so much I have to learn to become a Pokémon Professor, and in order to do that, I need experience on the field. And, well, (smiles) Emerald kind of needs someone to reign him in.
Emerald: I do not!
Leaf, Professor Oak, and Mr. Bonji all laughs while Emerald’s face heats up.
Major Events[]
- Leaf deduces Lt. Surge is apart of Team Rocket.
- Beedrill learns an imperfect Drill Run.
- Emerald beats Lt. Surge in a gym battle, earning the Thunder Badge.
- Emerald obtains a Pokédex.
- Leaf is revealed to have one.
- Emerald captures Wartortle.
- Leaf joins Emerald's group as a traveling companion.
Characters[]
Pokémon[]
- Beedrill (Emerald's)
- Charmander (Emerald's)
- Wartortle (Emerald's)
- Bulbasaur (Emerald's, cameo)
- Raichu (Lt. Surge's)
- Magnemite (Lt. Surge's)
- Electabuzz (Lt. Surge's)
Trivia[]
- Lt. Surge being a member of Team Rocket is inspired by Pokémon Adventures.
- This is to tie together the Team Rocket plotlines with the overall plot of the gym battles / league, to simplify the plot but keep it interesting at the same time too.
- This was also due to Lt. Surge mentioning partaking in the war in the games.
- There were a couple of hints foreshadowing this throughout the past few episodes, some being pointed out by Leaf within this episode.
- This is to tie together the Team Rocket plotlines with the overall plot of the gym battles / league, to simplify the plot but keep it interesting at the same time too.
- This is the first battle Emerald has won within the series.
- Under normal circumstances, Emerald would have lost to Lt. Surge.
- Lt. Surge became irrational, using, ironically, only powerful attacks.
- Wartortle did not belong to Emerald at the time.
- Emerald was fighting not to win, but to survive.
- Under normal circumstances, Emerald would have lost to Lt. Surge.
- Beedrill conducting the electricity towards Raichu, creating a massive pressure of air, was inspired by My Hero Academia, most notably the move Detroit Smash.
- Gary's Spearow using Drill Run in Wanted! against Lt. Surge was to setup for Emerald utilizing it.
- Due to the scenario Beedrill utilized it in, it wasn't a perfect Drill Run, and was a hodgepodge of Twineedle and Agility.
- Lt. Surge states a draw is not a win. This is due to his military background.
- The story of the original S.S. Anne sinking in Made for Defeat foreshadowed Emerald and Lt. Surge's battle on the S.S. Anne, and the sinking of it.
- Emerald and Lt. Surge both were too honorable to stand down.
- Emerald paraphrases the trainers Professor Oak was talking about, "You can't run away from a trainer battle!"
- Leaf visited the Pokémon Fan Club in Perfect Love to discuss with Mr. Bonji. The reason for this is revealed, being the Pokédex.