The Johto region is located west of the Kanto region.
These two regions are actually on the same continent, and like Kanto, the climate here is mild.
In the eastern part of the Johto region is Mt. Silver, which connects Kanto and Johto.
And the first destination for Ash and his companions, New Bark Town, is the starting point for challenging the Johto League.
They needed to register at the Pokémon Center in New Bark Town to sign up for the Johto League Silver Conference.
But when they arrived, they found that Nurse Joy wasn't there; she had gone to Professor Elm's lab.
"Then let's just wait!" Misty was exhausted.
But Brock, the big sister enthusiast, immediately became anxious. "Now is not the time to be calm! It's so late and she's not back yet. Something must have happened to Nurse Joy!"
Unexpectedly, Brock was right. When Ash and Misty were dragged by Brock to Professor Elm's lab, they happened to hear the alarm blaring.
Officer Jenny and her team had set up a police line at the entrance of the lab.
"Officer Jenny, you've worked hard!" Seeing Officer Jenny, Brock immediately darted over, a bouquet of flowers appearing in his hand from who knows where.
Where did you learn that magic?
"My name is Brock, please take care of me!"
"I came all the way here just to see you…"
Before he could finish, Misty pulled him away.
Ash stepped forward and asked, "Officer Jenny, is this Professor Elm's lab?"
Ash and Misty both had Pokémon with them, so their identities were clear. Officer Jenny naturally wouldn't make things difficult for them.
It turned out that Professor Elm, engrossed in his research, had allowed Totodile to be stolen.
Totodile was the Water-type starter Pokémon given to new trainers in the Johto region.
If it were lost, it would mean that a new trainer wouldn't be able to receive their initial Pokémon and thus couldn't embark on their journey.
Soon, Officer Jenny's team found a clue, deducing that it was footprints left by the thief.
A man, a woman, and a cat.
"It's them, alright!"
Ash and Misty exchanged glances; this combination was all too familiar to them!
"Growlithe, I'm counting on you!"
Growlithe was indeed Officer Jenny's most trusted partner. Trained by the Jenny family, Growlithe could track the culprit's location using the scent left on their footprints.
Growlithe and Pikachu took the lead.
Ash, Officer Jenny, Brock, and Misty followed behind.
Before long, they spotted Team Rocket!
"Team Rocket, let go of that Totodile!" Ash uttered the classic line!
But upon closer inspection, they realized that Totodile had actually bitten onto Jessie's long hair and was dangling behind her.
"I won't listen to you! You want me to let go? I refuse to let go!" Jessie retorted, then turned and tried to run with James and Meowth.
However, Ash was quick, directly throwing a Poké Ball.
"Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip!"
The powerful Vine Whip tripped the trio, leaving them no chance to escape.
"In that case!" James stood up to fight. "Go, Weezing!"
Weezing spewed black smoke, obscuring everyone's vision.
But just as they tried to use the smoke to escape, Ash threw another Poké Ball.
"Charizard, I choose you! Blow away the black smoke!"
After summoning Charizard, Ash carefully examined his old partner.
It was about a head taller than him, looked strong, but was actually a bit shorter than described in the Pokédex.
Charizard flapped its wings, and the black smoke dispersed.
With visibility restored, Team Rocket once again lost their chance to escape.
"Bulbasaur, pull Totodile back to me!"
Bulbasaur controlled its Vine Whip to pull Totodile, which was still clinging to Jessie's hair, back.
"Darn it, this little guy finally let go of me!" Jessie, feeling a sudden lightness in her head, also threw her Poké Ball. "Lickitung, get Totodile back for me!"
"Charizard, Flamethrower!"
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"What?!"
Team Rocket's trio was shocked. They knew that Ash's strongest Pokémon were Pikachu and Charizard, and now both were attacking at once!
Flames and electric currents simultaneously struck the two people and one cat. For some unknown reason, they exploded again, sending them flying.
"What a hateful feeling!"
Hearing that voice, Ash felt that his trip was not in vain.
"They can really fly!" Misty couldn't help but retort.
Afterward, Ash handed Totodile over to Officer Jenny. Although the Team Rocket trio had flown away, retrieving Totodile was enough.
After Ash registered his eligibility at the Pokémon Center, the group set off again, heading towards Violet City, a city with a nearby gym.
Charizard: 145/255