Ash is sad about his loss at the Pokémon League. He is not speaking to anyone, and when Misty comes in to try to cheer him up it quickly turns into an argument between the two. Pikachu brings a quick finish to the argument with a thundershock on everyone. Ash and the gang decide to head out to cheer on Richie for his sixth round. Richie fights the match hard, and unfortunately loses. After coming out of the match, Richie is determined to try harder for next year which inspires Ash to do just the same. As they talk, both of their Pikachu play behind them until they fall into a hole dug by Team Rocket. They rush to save their Pikachu, but fall into another hole. Ash struggles to get out, but upon sliding back down, the hole collapses into deeper inside the ground. Jessie and James fish out the two Pikachu from the other hole and trap them in a cage. They get out of the hole with the help of their Pokémon Pidgeotto and Happy, and defeat Team Rocket. Back at the Pokémon League, they receive their badges for participating and are treated to a great display of fireworks. Team Rocket try to dig below the arena to get in, but end up being blown away along with the fireworks. Ash says goodbye to Richie and proceeds back home to Pallet Town.
A young boy named Ash Ketchum embarks on a journey to become a "Pokemon Master" with his first Pokemon, Pikachu. Joining him on his travels are Brock, a girl-obsessed Rock Pokemon Trainer, and Misty, a tomboyish Water Pokemon Trainer who may have a crush on him. Ash and Co. end up traveling through various regions, including Kanto, the Orange Islands, and Johto, and then enter the Pokemon League competitions there.
Along the way, they run into many confrontations with Jessie, James, and Meowth, a trio of Pokemon thieves who are apart of an evil organization called "Team Rocket". But every time Team Rocket try to do their evil deeds, they fail thanks to Ash and his Pokemon.