After weeks of travelling, Ash & Co. finally arrive on the outskirts of Violet City. Entering the city, they begin searching for the Gym. As they walk along, Pikachu stops to smell the flowers, when two children go up to it and start hugging it and pulling it's ears. The begin fighting over it, causing Pikachu to get annoyed and it's cheeks to begin to spark. Ash runs over and takes it off of the children, but he gets shocked instead. He explains that Pikachu belongs to him. One of the children seem disappointed, thinking it was a wild Pokémon. Suddenly a woman runs up looking for the children. She apologises to Ash hoping her students haven't caused a problem. Brock comes over and says that they haven't. The children ask Ash if he's a Pokémon Trainer, which he confirm. They say that they both want to become Pokémon Trainers after they graduate the Pokémon Academy. Ash wonders what the Pokémon Academy is, so the woman explains that she works there as a teacher and teaches children how to train and look after Pokémon. Brock asks her name, so she introduces herself as Miss Priscilla. He suggests that they go inside and show the children all of their Pokémon.

Inside the school they are introduced to the principle, Earl Dervish, who names them honorary teachers for the day. Ash starts by trying to tell the children the most important thing to remember about being a Pokémon Trainer. Unfortunately he can't remember what it is. The two students from before ask him to tell them about Pokémon Battling and wonder if he has battled many Pokémon. He tells them that he battles all kinds of Pokémon and that he made it to the Top 16 when he battled at the Indigo Plateau. Most of the students seem impressed by this, but one of the ones who asked the question wonders why they should listen to him if he wasn't the winner. Misty then has the idea of everyone going outside so Ash & Co. can show the students their Pokémon.

Outside, everyone lets their Pokémon out for the children to play with. Chikorita runs over to stay with Ash, while Heracross attempts to get close to Bulbasaur, earning a Vine Whip. As the kids play, Brock points out a tower in the distance and asks Miss Priscilla what it is. She tells him that it's the Sprout Tower, so called because the tower is supported by one beam which sways back and forth, just like a Bellsprout. Ash asks why the tower itself doesn't move, so she tells them that she will be taking her class to the tower later that day and invites them to come along and see. They accept the invitation.

In the playground one of the students, Zackie, is talking to Pikachu, asking it what's so great about Ash and wouldn't it prefer to be his Pokémon instead. When Pikachu refuses he tries to take it anyway and jumps on top of it. Pikachu doesn't take kindly to this and shocks him. Seeing this, Ash runs over, asking Zackie if he's alright. When he asks if there is anything he can do, Zackie demands he give him Pikachu. When he refuses Zackie throws a tantrum. Ash is stuck for what to do, when Zackie pushes him and steals an empty Pokeball from his belt. He tries to use it to catch Pikachu, but it runs away. He chases after it. Ash recalls all of his Pokémon and decides to go and search for Zackie and Pikachu. Misty tells him to bring him to the Sprout Tower when he finds him. He runs off in search of them.

In a forest not far away, Pikachu is hiding from Zackie. He spots Pikachu behind a bush and throws the PokéBall, catching something. Ash arrives just as the capture completes. Zackie jumps around, happy to have caught Pikachu. He runs off, with Ash chasing after him. He catches up to him, but they both fall into a pitfall trap. Team Rocket appear, reciting their motto. They tell Zackie that they will let him out if he throws the PokéBall up to them, but he refuses. Ash asks him for the PokéBall so he can take care of Team Rocket, but he's determined to do it himself. He throws the PokéBall up and orders a Thunderbolt. Unfortunately for Zackie, he himself gets a shock when the Pokémon that emerges from the PokéBall isn't Pikachu; it's a Bellsprout. At this revelation, Meowth comes up with another plan.

Using a megaphone which changes their voices to that of Ash's, they lure Pikachu out from it's hiding place. As it approaches the pit, Ash yells up, telling it that it's a trap. It notices Team Rocket just as they throw a net towards it and manages to get out of the way. The net however hangs from a tree stump and trails down the pit, providing Ash and Zackie with a means of escape. Reunited with Pikachu, Ash throws it up in the air and orders it to use Thunderbolt, shocking Team Rocket and sending them blasting off again. Zackie watches this in admiration.

At the Sprout Tower, Misty, Brock, Miss Priscilla and the class have started their tour.

After blasting off, Team Rocket also arrive at the Sprout Tower, crashing into the roof. They overhear Miss Priscilla explaining about the Sprout Tower, and Misty ad Brock commenting that Ash should be arriving at the tower soon. They begin to form a plan.

On their way to the Sprout Tower, Zackie is unhappy with his newly caught Bellsprout. Ash tells him he should make the best of it, but Zackie still want's Pikachu.

On an upper floor of the Sprout Tower, James sends out Weezing, ordering it to use Smokescreen. Thinking it could be a fire, Misty, Brock and Miss Priscilla evacuate the children from the building.

Still on their way to the Sprout Tower, Zackie offers to trade, his Bellsprout for Ash's Pikachu. As expected, Ash refuses. Zackie begins to cry, but Bellsprout manages to cheer him up. Getting closer, they notice smoke pouring out from the Sprout Tower. They rush towards it. They soon arrive, asking if all of the children are alright. He then sends out Squirtle as Misty sends out Poliwag and they both order them to use Water Gun. It doesn't seem to be doing anything, so Misty recalls Poliwag before noticing a familiar Trio on one of the tower's balconies. Team Rocket invite them to enter the building to see what they're doing.

Entering the Sprout Tower, they notice a Rocket strapped to the central beam, and Team Rocket's Pokémon sawing at it. They tell them to stop, but they refuse unless Ash give Pikachu to them. Pikachu walks forward, prepared to give itself up to save the tower. Jessie picks it up and it tries to shock her, but she reveals that they are all wearing rubber gloves as protection. James and Meowth proceed to tie Pikachu up with rope. Ash is about to reach for a PokéBall, but Meowth notices and warns him that if he does so he will ignite the Rocket. Bellsprout tugs at Zackie shirt, telling him it has an idea. Zackie orders it to use Razor Leaf, knocking the remote control from Meowth's paws. Jessie tells Arbok to retrieve it, but Squirtle block it with Water Gun. Ash then sends out Bulbasaur who uses Vine Whip to secure the remote. Zackie orders Bellsprout to use Razor Leaf again, knocking Team Rocket's Pokémon from the beam. They recall them and jump onto the Rocket using the manual controls to ignite it, causing the tower to shake. Ash and Zackie order Bulbasaur and Bellsprout to both use Razor Leaf, freeing Pikachu from Team Rocket's clutches and cutting the rope attaching the Rocket to the beam. The Rocket flies out of control, before exiting the tower through the side, still with Team Rocket hanging on for dear life. In the tower, the beam eventually settles and the tower stops shaking. Ash complements Zackie, who tells Ash that the real hero is his new Bellsprout.

Up in the air, Team Rocket are enjoying the breeze, when the Rocket explodes, sending them blasting off again.

Back at the school, Ash & Co. say goodbye to the children and teachers. Zackie promises to train his Bellsprout well in the hopes of one day battling Ash. They wave goodbye as they continue on their way towards the Violet Gym.

This episode guide has been written by The Librarian.

Characters appearing in this episode

Ash

Misty

Brock

Jessie

James

Meowth

Ash's Pikachu

Pokémon appearing in this episode

• Pikachu belonging to Ash
• Meowth

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