Johto Region lay to the west of the Kanto Region.
In fact, the two regions were both part of the same continent, and just like Kanto, Johto enjoyed a mild and temperate climate.
To the east of Johto stood the towering Mt. Silver, a majestic mountain range that served as the bridge between the Kanto and Johto regions.
And the first destination for Ash and his companions was none other than New Bark Town—the very starting point of the Johto League challenge.
In order to register for the prestigious Silver Conference of the Johto League, they had to log in at the Pokémon Center in New Bark Town.
But to their surprise, when they arrived, Nurse Joy was nowhere to be found—she had apparently gone to Professor Elm's laboratory.
"Let's just wait here then," Misty said, utterly exhausted from the journey.
But Brock, ever the worrywart and self-proclaimed Nurse Joy connoisseur, immediately panicked. "This is no time to sit and wait! It's already this late and she's still not back—something must have happened to Nurse Joy!"
And, shockingly, Brock's hunch was spot on. As Ash and Misty were dragged along behind him to Professor Elm's lab, they were greeted by the blaring sound of alarms.
At the entrance, Officer Jenny had already put up police tape and was busy coordinating the investigation.
"Officer Jenny, you're working so hard!" Brock called out as he suddenly leapt forward—when did he even get that bouquet of flowers in his hand?
Where did you learn that magic trick?
"My name is Brock, it's an honor to meet you!" he announced dramatically. "I came all this way just to see you…"
Before he could finish his overly dramatic line, Misty yanked him back with a sigh.
Ash stepped up to speak. "Officer Jenny, is this Professor Elm's lab?"
Since Ash and Misty were both carrying Pokémon, their identity was easy to confirm, and Officer Jenny had no reason to block them.
As it turned out, Professor Elm had gotten so absorbed in his research that he didn't even notice when his Totodile was stolen.
This particular Totodile was one of the Johto starter Pokémon meant to be handed out to new Trainers. Losing it would mean at least one young Trainer wouldn't be able to begin their journey.
Fortunately, Officer Jenny's team quickly found a lead—footprints that were most likely left behind by the culprits.
A man, a woman, and a talking Meowth.
"Of course—it's them!"
Ash and Misty exchanged a knowing glance. There was no mistaking that trio.
"Growlithe, we're counting on you!"
Officer Jenny's Growlithe—trained by generations of Jennys—was more than capable of tracking scents left behind in footprints.
Growlithe and Pikachu dashed ahead to follow the trail, while Ash, Officer Jenny, Brock, and Misty followed closely behind.
Before long, they caught sight of the culprits—Team Rocket.
"Team Rocket, let go of that Totodile!" Ash shouted his classic line without missing a beat.
But upon closer inspection, it wasn't that Team Rocket had captured Totodile—it was the Totodile that had latched onto Jessie's long hair, refusing to let go as it dangled behind her.
"As if we'd listen to you! You want me to let go? That just makes me want to hold on tighter!" Jessie snapped back, tugging James and Meowth along as she tried to run.
But Ash was quick—he tossed a Poké Ball with practiced precision.
"Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip!"
The powerful vines lashed forward and tripped the trio, stopping their escape dead in its tracks.
"If that's how you want to play…" James stood up, ready to battle. "Go, Weezing!"
Weezing released a thick cloud of black smoke to obscure everyone's vision.
They tried to flee under cover of the smog, but Ash had already launched another Poké Ball.
"Charizard, I choose you! Blow that smoke away!"
As Charizard emerged, Ash took a moment to admire his old partner. It was slightly taller than him—just a bit over a head—but despite its strong appearance, it looked smaller than what the Pokédex described.
With one powerful flap of its wings, Charizard dispersed the black smoke instantly.
Their sight restored, Team Rocket was once again exposed with no way out.
"Bulbasaur, pull Totodile back for me!"
Bulbasaur extended its vines again, gently retrieving the Totodile still clamped to Jessie's hair.
"Ugh! Finally! That little beast let go!" Jessie groaned in relief as her head suddenly felt lighter. But before she could recover fully, she too flung out a Poké Ball. "Lickitung, grab that Totodile!"
"Charizard, Flamethrower!"
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"What!?"
Team Rocket gasped. They knew full well that Ash's strongest Pokémon were his Pikachu and his Charizard—and now both of them were attacking at once!
A blaze of fire and a crackle of electricity slammed into them simultaneously. For some reason—possibly known only to cartoon physics—it exploded in spectacular fashion, sending the trio flying.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!"
Hearing their iconic exit line, Ash couldn't help but smile in satisfaction.
"They really do know how to fly," Misty remarked dryly.
With Totodile safely returned, Ash handed it over to Officer Jenny. Though Team Rocket got away as usual, retrieving the stolen Pokémon was what really mattered.
After officially registering his entry at the Pokémon Center, Ash and his companions set out once more—this time heading for Violet City, the next stop on their journey and the location of their first Gym battle in Johto.
Charizard: 145/255