Roark, the Oreburgh Gym Leader, and son of Byron, the Canalave Gym Leader, is visiting his father. The two of them, both users of Fossil Pokémon, are having an argument about who likes them more; and they end up battling. Meanwhile, Ash has returned to the Canalave Gym for a Gym Battle after hearing that Byron is back.
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.