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Ash immediately starts to train Pikachu to use his iron tail better. Pikachu uses its iron tail and smashes the rock in two pieces. Ash cheers and Pikachu seems happy that the attack worked. The others sit at a nearby table and May comments that all that training is really helping Pikachu. Both Max and Brock say that if it goes on like this, Pikachu will master the attack soon. Ash tells Pikachu to use iron tail again as he wants Pikachu to master the attack well for his upcoming match with Roxanne, the Rustboro City gymleader. Pikachu then goes in for another iron tail, but it fails and lands on the rock as Ash sighs.

Ash joins the others at the table and Brock tries to tell Ash that Pikachu will get the hang of it sooner or later. Ash agrees and Max asks May when she plans on training for the gymmatch. May chows on a pastry as she informs them that she won't be battling Roxanne. Ash, Brock and Max are shocked by the news and they tell her that as a trainer she is expected to be in gym matches. May then explains she only choose her first pokemon because she wanted to travel and that she hated them at first. But now she loves them and wants to show their beauty in pokemon contests. Max doesn't want this and he tries to persuade her some more. She then informs him that it would make her a lot happier to see Torchic winning ribbons in contests than battles in gyms. The others begin to understand and tell her that they will help her in any way they can. May thanks them, but Max is still mad.

In the meanwhile, Team Rocket are sitting in a playground as James is looking through the guidebook and notices that the teacher from the day before is actually Roxanne, the Rustboro City gym leader. Jessie and Meowth get excited and want to capture her Pokemon and give them to the boss. They begin to plan, but James interrupts. He reminds them that they are out of money and need to get back to work. Jessie and Meowth are disappointed, but they know they won't have a chance against the gym leader without funds. So they go back to work.

Ash and co arrive at the gym and walk inside to see Roxanne's attendants sweeping a rock field. Ash approaches and informs one of them that he is here for a match. The man recognizes him and calls for Roxanne who is above in the stands. She welcomes Ash and co to the gym, and asks if Ash or May will go first. May gets a little embarrassed and as they sit down, May explains she wants to participate in contests and Roxanne understands and wishes her all the luck.She then asks Ash still wishes to battle her, and he says he does.

The referee informs Roxanne that the camera crew is ready and Roxanne informs Ash that she is letting some students film the match so she can use the tape to tutor her students. Ash doesn't mind it and says he'll show everybody how to defeat Roxanne. They each take their place on the battle field as May and co sit in the stands. Max is excited as this is his first gym match that he's ever seen. Brock wonders if he hasn't seen his father's gym matches and he says he hasn't since his father wanted full concentration while battling.

The referee explains the rules that it's a two on two match with no time limit. Roxanne throws out Geodude first and May checks it on her pokedex and Max comments that it looks like a tough battler. Ash throws out Treecko's pokeball and Treecko lands on the field and puts a twig in its mouth. Max knows Ash picked the right Pokemon as he's a grass type pokemon but Brock comments that it's going to be hard since Treecko doesn't know any grass type moves. The referee signals for the match to begin. Treecko and Geodude lunge at each other, each grabbing each others hands. Roxanne comments that her Geodude's physical attacks are pretty strong, so she won't have to rely on its rock type attacks. Max yells for Ash to not give in but Roxanne has Geodude use mega punch, which sends Treecko flying. Ash tells Treecko to counter with slam, and it comes crashing down. Roxanne tells Geodude to dodge and use rock throw. Rocks fly around but the rocks are bounced back. When the dust settles, Geodude is buried under a pile of rocks. Everyone is confused, and Max says the slam must have caused Geodude's attack to backfire on itself. Everyone watches in awe and Max thinks Ash is going to win this, but Geodude smashes out of the rocks looking unharmed. Roxanne smirks and tells Geodude to attack, and it lunges at Treecko again. Treecko tries to dodge, but it is smashed with a mega punch again. Treecko flies through the air and crashes into the ground. Ash asks if it can still battle and it gets up looking like it's ready to battle again, but then collapses on the ground! The referee declares Geodude the winner. Ash picks up Treecko and thanks it for a good job. He then sends in Pikachu.

The reporters turn from their camera, shocked at Ash's choice for an electric type pokemon. Roxanne reminds Ash that she uses rock types and electric types have no chance, but Ash won't give in. He tells Pikachu to show her with a thunder. Pikachu gives a thunder, sending the room into a bright light. When it dies down, nothing is changed, and Max says Ash must be showing off.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket is digging next to the gym. Meowth is tired of digging and tells James he quits. James gets mad and says this is all part of his plan, and Jessie and Meowth wonder what his plan is. James explains that they'll dig right under the gym, come up into the field and snag Pikachu and Geodude before the trainers know what hit them. James is proud of his plan but he just sighs.

In the gym, Max is thinking. He wonders how Pikachu can do the job is Treecko can't, but Brock says Ash always finds a way. The battle starts with a rock throw from Geodude. Pikachu dodges, but Geodude follows up with a mega punch, knocking Pikachu back. Roxanne then tells Geodude to finish it with rollout. Brock, Max, and May wonder how this will turn out, and Ash tells Pikachu to run at the rolling Geodude. It does so, and gives Geodude a head on thunder, shocking it! Geodude flies back unable to battle. The group cheer and Roxanne recalls Geodude. She informs Ash that she is impressed with his attack even though he had a type disadvantage, but she says he won't get passed her next Pokemon

She throws another Pokeball and out comes a Nosepass! Ash looks it up in the dex and Brock notices Pikachu is worn out, causing him and the others to worry. Ash asks Pikachu if it can still fight, and it gives the signal that it can. Ash then tells it to use iron tail, and it rushes in. It leaps up and smacks Nosepass back with its glowing tail. Roxanne smirks, saying she should have known Pikachu would know an attack like that. Ash tells Pikachu to use another iron tail, but this time the attack fails. Pikachu's tail hits Nosepass with no affect, and it just bounces off. Max is disappointed and Roxanne laughs at how inexperienced Pikachu is wit the attack. She tells Nosepass to use rock tomb, causing rocks to close around Pikachu. Ash tells Pikachu to use thunderbolt, which smashes the rocks off of it. Pikachu is now really worn out and Roxanne smiles, thinking victory is at hand. Ash is now a very worried. Team Rocket is now right under the gym. James prods the floor with his shovel, and Meowth asks how he plans to get through. They all sit and ponder while the match above continues. Nosepass uses sandstorm, and appears in front of Pikachu. It body slams it, then tries to stomp it, but Pikachu dodges. Roxanne tells Nosepass to use rock tomb, but Pikachu dodges with agility. It quick attacks Nosepass for some minor damage, and Brock comments that this isn't going well. Pikachu does circles around Nosepass, and Roxanne tells it to use sandstorm again. Ash tells Pikachu to use iron tail, but it can't get the attack right and it fails. Brock comments that Pikachu is too tired to get the move off, worrying Max and May. Roxanne apologizes for having to defeat Ash, and she orders Nosepass to finish Pikachu off with hyper beam. Nosepass releases the attack just as Team Rocket break through the surface. Pikachu dodges, and the hyper beam smashes into the tunnel, sending Team Rocket all the way back outside and blasting off. Roxanne tells Ash to just give up, as Pikachu is exhausted, but Ash refuses. Roxanne then orders another hyper beam, but Pikachu uses thunderbolt, sending the attack right back at Nosepass and electrifying it! Roxanne is shocked and Max comments that Nosepass is just a rock type, which means it is still somewhat affected by electric attacks. Ash tells Pikachu this is their only chance, and tells it to use iron tail. Pikachu lunges and leaps, and this time, gives Nosepass a huge iron tail. Nosepass falls to the ground unable to battle as Pikachu lands beside it! The ref declares Ash the winner as Roxanne stands in awe. Ash congratulates Pikachu, who rushes to him. Brock tells Max and May that he knew Ash would find a way, and Max looks on starry-eyed. Outside the gym, Roxanne comments on how well Ash battled. She tells him that she thought she knew everything, but Ash taught the teacher a valuable lesson! She then hands Ash the Stone Badge. He gratefully accepts it and holds it up. Our heroes then wave goodbye to Roxanne and continue on towards their next adventure.

This episode guide has been written by shinymay.

Characters appearing in this episode

Ash

Brock

Max

May

Jessie

James

Meowth

Ash's Pikachu

Pokémon appearing in this episode

• Pikachu belonging to Ash
• Meowth