The Johto region lies to the west of Kanto.
Both regions are part of the same continent, and like Kanto, Johto enjoys a temperate climate.
To the east of Johto stands Mt. Silver, the towering range that connects the two regions.
Ash and his friends' first destination was New Bark Town, the starting point for trainers challenging the Johto League.
At the Pokémon Center in New Bark Town, they needed to register in order to qualify for the Silver Conference.
But when they arrived, Nurse Joy was nowhere to be seen—she had gone to Professor Elm's laboratory.
"Guess we'll have to wait, then." Misty was already exhausted.
Brock, however, immediately grew anxious. "Now's not the time to stay calm! It's already so late and Nurse Joy still isn't back—something must have happened to her!"
Surprisingly, Brock's words turned out to be spot on. When Ash and the others were dragged along with him to Professor Elm's lab, they were greeted by the sound of alarms blaring.
Officer Jenny and her team had already cordoned off the entrance.
"Officer Jenny, thank you for your hard work!" Brock bounded forward with a bouquet of flowers that had appeared out of nowhere.
Where did he even learn that trick?
"My name is Brock, and it's an honor to meet you! I came all the way here just to—"
Before he could finish, Misty yanked him away by the ear.
Ash stepped forward to ask, "Officer Jenny, is this Professor Elm's lab?"
Seeing the Pokémon by Ash and Misty's side, Jenny quickly recognized them as trainers and didn't give them a hard time.
The situation was dire: while engrossed in his research, Professor Elm had let his Totodile get stolen.
This Totodile was supposed to be one of the three starter Pokémon given to new trainers in Johto. If it were lost, that would mean one rookie trainer would never even get the chance to begin their journey.
Soon, Jenny's team discovered footprints nearby. The tracks revealed a man, a woman, and… a cat.
"It's them!"
Ash and Misty exchanged looks. There was no mistaking that trio!
"Growlithe, we're counting on you!"
Jenny's Growlithe, trained to perfection by the Jenny family, was more than capable of tracking scents left behind in footprints.
Growlithe and Pikachu took the lead, with Ash, Jenny, Brock, and Misty close behind.
Before long, they spotted the culprits—Team Rocket!
"Team Rocket, let go of that Totodile!" Ash shouted the classic line.
But looking closer, he realized Totodile wasn't captured at all—it had sunk its teeth into Jessie's long hair and was dangling behind her as she ran.
"Like I'd let go just because you told me to! If you want me to let go, I'll do the opposite!" Jessie snapped, tugging James and Meowth to flee.
But Ash was already a step ahead. With a swift throw, he released a Poké Ball.
"Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip!"
Bulbasaur's vines lashed out, tripping all three of them. Escape was no longer an option.
"If that's how it is…" James grit his teeth and threw out a Poké Ball. "Go, Weezing!"
Weezing spewed thick black smoke, blanketing the field.
But just as Team Rocket tried to slip away under cover, Ash hurled another Poké Ball.
"Charizard, I choose you! Blow away that smoke!"
As the mighty Charizard emerged, Ash took a moment to really look at his old partner.
It stood a little taller than him, muscular and powerful, though actually a bit shorter than its Pokédex entry described.
With one mighty flap of its wings, the smoke scattered instantly.
The battlefield cleared, Team Rocket once again found themselves with no escape.
"Bulbasaur, pull Totodile free!"
Bulbasaur's vines carefully tugged Totodile away from Jessie's hair.
"Finally, it let go of me!" Jessie sighed in relief, only to hurl her own Poké Ball. "Go, Lickitung! Snatch Totodile back!"
"Charizard, Flamethrower!"
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"What?!"
Team Rocket froze. They knew all too well—Ash's strongest partners were Pikachu and Charizard. And now both were attacking at once!
Flames and electricity surged together, blasting the trio head-on. With an inevitable explosion, the three villains were sent hurtling skyward.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!"
Hearing that familiar cry, Ash grinned. Worth it.
"They really can fly," Misty muttered with a sweatdrop.
With Totodile safely in hand, Ash returned it to Officer Jenny. Team Rocket may have gotten away, but recovering Totodile was victory enough.
After registering for the Silver Conference at the Pokémon Center, Ash and his friends set out once more—this time toward Violet City, home of the first Johto Gym.
Charizard: 145 / 255