The Johto Region lies to the west of the Kanto Region.
The Johto Region lies to the west of the Kanto Region.
These two regions actually sit on the same continent, and just like Kanto, Johto enjoys a mild climate.
To the east of Johto stands Mt. Silver, the mountain connecting Kanto and Johto.
Ash and his friends' first destination, New Bark Town, marks the starting point for the Johto League challenge.
They needed to register for the competition at the Pokémon Center in New Bark Town in order to sign up for the Johto League Silver Conference.
But upon arriving, they discovered that Nurse Joy was not present—she had gone to Professor Elm's institute.
"Let's just wait here then!" Misty was exhausted.
But Brock, ever the lady's man, panicked immediately. "Now's not the time to stay calm! It's so late and she still isn't back. Something must have happened to Nurse Joy!"
As it turned out, Brock's concerns were spot on. Dragging Ash and Misty with him, he hurried to Professor Elm's institute—just as the alarm rang out.
Officer Jenny was already on the scene, cordoning off the entrance to the institute with police tape.
"Officer Jenny, thank you for all your hard work!" The moment Brock spotted Officer Jenny, he dashed over, a bouquet of flowers appearing in his hands as if by magic.
Where on earth did he learn magic tricks?
"My name is Brock, pleased to meet you!"
"I came all this way just to see you…"
Before he could finish, Misty yanked him away.
Ash stepped forward to inquire, "Officer Jenny, is this Professor Elm's institute?"
With Pokémon visibly at Ash's and Misty's sides, their identity was obvious. Officer Jenny had no trouble letting them through.
As it turned out, Professor Elm had been so absorbed in his research that someone had managed to make off with Totodile.
Totodile, the Water-type starter Pokémon given to new trainers in Johto, had gone missing. This meant that a new trainer might be unable to start their journey if the Pokémon wasn't recovered.
Soon, Officer Jenny's team found a lead—footprints believed to be left by the thief.
A man, a woman, and a cat.
"It's them, of course!"
Ash and Misty exchanged glances. They'd never forget such a familiar trio!
"Growlithe, I'm counting on you!"
Growlithe, Officer Jenny's most trusted partner, was specially trained by the Jenny family to track even faint scents left in footprints.
Growlithe and Pikachu dashed ahead.
Ash and Officer Jenny, along with Brock and Misty, chased close behind.
Before long, they caught sight of Team Rocket!
"Team Rocket, let go of that Totodile!" Ash called the classic catchphrase!
But on closer look, it was actually Totodile who had bitten down on Jessie's long hair and was now hanging from her as she ran.
"Dream on! Let go just because you told me? Not a chance!" Jessie retorted, turning to drag James and Meowth with her as they tried to escape.
But Ash was quick. He flung out a Poké Ball.
"Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip!"
A strong Vine Whip tripped all three of them, cutting off any possibility of escape.
"If that's how you want to play!" James stood up to fight. "Go, Weezing!"
Weezing spewed out black smoke, obscuring everyone's vision.
But just as Team Rocket planned to slip away under cover, Ash tossed another Poké Ball.
"Charizard, it's your turn—blow the smoke away!"
With Charizard summoned, Ash finally took a good look at his old pal.
Charizard was a head taller than Ash, looking sturdy, though actually shorter than described in the Pokédex.
With one powerful sweep of its wings, Charizard sent the black smoke rolling away.
Their vision restored and with their escape blocked, Team Rocket was caught once again.
"Bulbasaur, pull Totodile back to me!"
Bulbasaur skillfully used Vine Whip to pull Totodile, still hanging from Jessie's hair, safely back.
"Finally, the little one let go!" With a now much lighter head, Jessie immediately threw her Poké Ball. "Lickitung, get Totodile back for me!"
"Charizard, Flamethrower!"
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"What?!"
The Team Rocket trio panicked. They knew Ash's strongest partners were Pikachu and Charizard—now both attacking at once!
Flames and lightning struck the two humans and one cat simultaneously. In a dramatic explosion, the trio was sent flying.
" ♫Aaaaand we're blasting off!♫ !"
Hearing that familiar cry, Ash felt the journey was already worth it.
"They really do fly, huh!" Misty couldn't help but joke.
Afterward, Ash entrusted Totodile to Officer Jenny. Although Team Rocket had been sent flying again, recovering Totodile was enough.
Once Ash had officially registered for the competition at the Pokémon Center, the group set off toward the next city with a Gym—Violet City.
Charizard: 145/255