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This episode is essential viewing because: Introduces Team Rocket (Jessie, James and Meowth), Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy. Team Rocket and Misty both decide to follow Ash.

This episode begins with Officer Jenny in Viridian City announcing on a speaker system that Pokemon poachers have been spotted and to keep an eye on your Pokemon. Then she sees Ash running into the city holding a very weak Pikachu in his arms. She questions him, but he swears he didnt steal Pikachu, and that he has to get to a Pokemon Center right away. Jenny says she can get him there really quickly. They hops onto her motorcycle and speed away. Then Misty comes along, carrying her totalled bike. She runs after them.

Next to the building, there is a wanted poster. A hook comes down and grabs it. In a Meowth-shaped hot air balloon, we see Jessie, James, and Meowth, Team Rocket.

Ash and Jenny zoom right through the front doors of the Pokemon center. They slide up to the front desk. Jenny says they have a Pokemon emergency. Nurse Joys calls for a stretcher for a small, electric Pokemon. It comes, being led by two Chansey in little doctor hats. Nurse Joy scolds Ash for letting his Pikachu get into this condition. They take Pikachu into the medical area, leaving Ash in the waiting room.

Ash decides to call his mom. She says how proud she is of him getting to Viridian so quickly. Ash is upset about Pikachu getting hurt, though, and doesn't feel that great about all the praise.

On a stone carving on the wall, Ash sees a picture of the flying Pokemon he saw - several years later revealed to be Ho-oh. The phone on the desk rings and Ash picks it up. On the carving, a tile slides away, revealing Prof. Oak. Ash tells him about the mystery Pokemon he saw, but Prof. Oak said he couldn't have. He also said he had bet his grandson Gary $50 that Ash would have at least 6 Pokemon by the time he reached Viridian. Of course, Ash didn't catch any. He hangs up when Prof. Oak's pizza arrives.

A very upset Misty comes running in. Ash tells her about his Pikachu, and she gets concerned. Then she says some stuff about him having to get her a new bike.

After a bit, Pikachu has been healed and is wheeled out on the stretcher. He is asleep now.

Just then, an alarm sounds. Jenny's voice says that Pokemon poachers have been spotted and to use extreme caution. Above, Team Rocket are planning to break into the Pokemon Center. Jessie uses Ekans, and James uses Koffing. They slam through the ceiling, and Koffing creates a Smokescreen. Team Rocket says their lines and have Ekans and Koffing turn off the power. Ash, Misty, and Joy, with Pikachu, rush into another room. Joy says the power outage is nothing. They have their own Pika power source: Lots of Pikachus!

They generate a lot of electricity, turning the power back on. Joy activates something that will send all the Poke Balls to Pewter City, but before it can finish, Ekans and Koffing attack. Misty says to start throwing Poke Balls. They dont have much luck. A Rattata, a Pidgey, and a Goldeen.

Pikachu wakes up. He says Pika, Pika, and all the other Pikachus come running. They pile up on the stretcher, and they all shock Team Rocket. Pikachu says (sort of) that he wants more power. Ash gets on Misty's wrecked bike and starts pedalling, turning on the headlight. Pikachu jumps onto the light, and they all shock Team Rocket again, causing a HUGE explosion that takes out half the Pokemon Center.

Later, Ash, Misty and Pikachu have left for the maze-like Viridian Forest. The Poke Balls are safe in Pewter City.

This episode guide has been written by flik.

Characters appearing in this episode

Ash

Misty

Professor Oak

Delia Ketchum

Officer Jenny

Nurse Joy

Jessie

James

Meowth

Ash's Pikachu

James' Weezing

Jessie's Arbok

Pokémon appearing in this episode

• Pikachu: Several (powering the Pokécenter)
  
• Chansey belonging to Nurse Joy: Several
  
• Caterpie: Not yet captured by Ash
  
• Pidgey
• Rattata
• Arbok belonging to Ash
• Pikachu belonging to Ash
• Meowth
• Weezing belonging to Ash
• Goldeen belonging to Misty

Items seen in this episode

• Bicycle: Misty's
• Pokeball
• Pokédex: Shown as being Ash's trainer ID

Locations seen in this episode

• Viridian City:
• Viridian Forest