BW009: The Bloom Is on Axew!

is the 9th episode of Pokémon: Black & White.
==Synopsis==
What’s going on? Iris and Cilan are having a battle! Of course, Ash wants to get in on the action, but Iris isn’t interested. Because Axew doesn’t have much battle experience, she’s asked Cilan to help her train it by getting Pansage to use very restrained attacks.
The battle ends in explosive fashion when Axew’s powerful Dragon Rage attack gets a little out of control. Iris explains that she’s committed to training Axew because it was given to her by an Elder of her hometown, who advised her that the journey to raise Axew into a Haxorus would help Iris learn and grow as well.
Meanwhile, Axew and Pikachu wander off into the woods in search of a snack—and run right into an angry Scolipede! Ash and Cilan spring into action to try to drive it off, and to save Axew, Iris brings out her second Pokémon: a powerful, haughty Excadrill. Although Iris can’t get Excadrill to obey her, it quickly sends Scolipede scurrying, and Axew is safely returned.
After some wise advice from Cilan, Iris decides to continue to train with Axew at her own relaxed pace. Ash is still in the mood for a battle—so when Iris advises him to battle Pikachu, that’s just what he does! We leave our heroes as Ash and Pikachu square off against each other…and Iris wonders just how far her friend from Pallet Town will go for a battle!
==Episode plot==
Ash observes as Iris uses Axew against Cilan's Pansage. Ash asks why can't he battle, and Iris tells him she doesn't want his Pikachu to use Volt Tackle on her Axew. Ash promises not to, but Iris shouts to be quiet. Axew goes to scratch, but Pansage gently uses Bullet Seed, firing a seed after another to Axew, but Ash and Pikachu are not impressed by the intensity. Axew begins to cry, but Iris tells it did its best. Ash sees that was (supposed to be) training, so tells Iris to hit Pansage. Iris responds that she is not as reckless as Ash, as Cilan is gentle (who thanks Iris), as Iris wants to battle from time to time.
Axew goes to scratch, but Pansage blocks it. Iris tells Cilan to get serious, but Cilan tells he is serious, as Pansage stopped the attack and goes to use Solar Beam. Ash asks does Axew know any other attacks. Iris believes they wouldn't do any good and tells Ash to mind his business. Pansage fires Solar Beam, releasing a light ball to hit Axew on the head, but Ash and Pikachu do not approve of the strength. Ash tells Iris she needs to use a different attack, as Axew will never get any stronger by such a battle. Iris goes to show Axew's strength, as it uses Dragon Rage. However, it fails and causes a huge explosion, hitting everyone. Iris is disappointed the attack failed once more, surprising Ash it was done before.
Team Rocket contacts Giovanni, who reports their next task lies in Desert Resort, to retrieve a meteorite known as the Meteonite. He explains a meteor flew, but collapsed into smaller pieces, but the biggest one lies in Unova. It has a similar energy to the dream energy, which is located in Desert Resort. This could bring the Team Rocket's goal to reality, which is why Giovanni sends an additional agent. As Iris is sad about Axew, Ash and Cilan think she should dub the move Dragon Sneeze. Iris is upset, as Axew does not know any other move. Iris knows Dragon Rage is supposed to create a ball and blast it at the opponent, not to have it explode immediately. Iris tells that is why she wanted a slow battle, but sees it is hard to have it evolve to Haxorus.
Axew goes on a tree and harvests two apples and puts them on the task, then delivers it to Iris. Axew is pleased and goes to get more apples. Cilan and Ash see Axew has a good potential, while Ash advises to have Axew battle with Pikachu, but Iris is reluctant. Iris tells she does not want to lose, even if it is not a good attitude. Ash and Cilan want to hear how Iris got Axew. Iris remembers it was a gift from an elder of her home town. At her hometown, which everyone favors Dragon Pokémon. The elder gave her the Axew, which hatched a few days ago. The elder warned her training Axew to evolve into Haxorus would be hard, but advised her to know the Pokémon's heart, as it would become stronger. It has been awhile since she started the journey and asked Cilan to battle nicely. Ash wonders if the elder is Iris' grandma. Iris denies that, but soon sees Axew and Pikachu are gone.
Axew goes to reach for some apples, despite Pikachu's warnings. Axew gets the apple, but falls down, onto a Pokémon and gets stuck between its horns. The Pokémon tries to shake it off, but fails. Pikachu uses Iron Tail, but the Pokémon is unaffected and bashes Pikachu on a tree. Pikachu runs away, so Axew uses Dragon Rage, which explodes. The heroes see that (with Ash telling it was Dragon Sneeze) and go to check it out. Suddenly, Pikachu appears and panics around. The heroes see Axew on the Pokémon, a Scolipede. Scolipede charges and uses Toxic, melting everything on its way. Cilan sends Pansage and Ash sends Snivy. Pansage uses Bullet Seed on Scolipede's legs, stopping it, while Snivy's Vine Whip to bind the horns. However, Scolipede spins Snivy around and tosses her, so Ash calls her back.
Iris goes to send another Pokémon, but is reluctant to. She sends Excadrill, who seems to be sealed. Cilan explains Excadrill are usually in this form when they dig. Iris tries to get Excadrill to battle, who is sealed. Iris sees she needs to rescue Axew by herself, as she has no other choice and it is her duty. Ash and Cilan support her, as Pansage uses Solar Beam. Ash sends Tepig to use Ember, with Pikachu using with Thunderbolt to stop Scolipede, allowing Pansage to hit Scolipede. Iris swings the vines, getting Axew back. Ash and Cilan call Pansage and Tepig back. However, Scolipede is still angry and knocks Excadrill away. Excadrill digs and hits Scolipede, as it unseals itself. Ash tells Iris to command Excadrill, but Iris tells it disobeys her. Scolipede uses Toxic, which Excadrill deflects.
Excadrill uses Drill Run on Scolipede, who charges. However, Excadrill throws it away, blasting it off. The heroes thank Excadrill, who seals itself back. Iris calls it back, knowing they will battle together one day. Iris apologizes to Axew, as it was a rough day, so Cilan advises she should relax and have patience in training. Ash asks if they will battle, but Iris responds they train at their own pace and tells Ash to battle Pikachu if he wants to battle so badly. Ash goes to do that, surprising Cilan and Iris. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt on Ash, who goes to attack. However, Pikachu uses Volt Tackle, bashing Ash to a tree, but he still wants to battle, surprising Cilan and Iris even more.
==Debuts==
===Character===
*Elder (flashback)
*Pierce (on screen)
===Pokémon===
*Scolipede
*Excadrill (Iris')
===Move===
Drill Run
==Trivia==
*This is the first episode where Iris' Axew is seen using moves in battle.
*Professor Oak's Live Caster: Gym Leaders
*The "Who's That Pokémon?" is Axew.
*The title is a reference to the saying "the blame is on you".
==Quotes==
:"Well, since it's just a sneeze, we'll just call it Dragon Sneeze." - Ash
:"IT'S NOT JUST A SNEEZE!" - Iris
==Gallery==
==References==
Category:Episodes focusing on Iris
Category:Episodes focusing on Axew