The Johto Region lies to the west of the Kanto Region.
The two regions are actually located on the same continent and, much like Kanto, Johto enjoys a mild and temperate climate. To the east of the Johto Region stands Mt. Silver, the towering peak that connects the two lands.
Ash and his friends had set their sights on their first destination: New Bark Town, the official starting point for the Johto League challenge. They needed to register at the town's Pokémon Center before they could officially enter the Johto League's Silver Conference.
However, when they arrived, they found that Nurse Joy wasn't at her post. She had gone to Professor Elm's laboratory.
"I guess we'll just have to wait," Misty said, clearly exhausted from the journey.
But Brock, driven by his usual obsession with beautiful older sisters, immediately grew anxious. "Now is not the time to be calm! It's so late and she hasn't returned yet Nurse Joy must be in trouble!"
As it turned out, Brock's intuition was spot on. When he dragged Ash and Misty to Professor Elm's lab, they were greeted by the shrill blare of alarm bells. Officer Jenny and her team had already cordoned off the entrance with caution tape.
"Officer Jenny, thank you for your hard work!" Brock shouted, rushing over. Out of nowhere, he produced a bouquet of fresh flowers.
Where did he even learn that magic trick? Ash wondered.
"My name is Brock! It is an honor to meet you!" Brock continued, dropping to one knee. "I traveled all this way just to see your lovely face..."
Before he could finish, Misty reached out and hauled him away by the collar.
Ash stepped forward to address the officer. "Officer Jenny, is this Professor Elm's laboratory?"
Since both Ash and Misty had Pokémon by their sides, their identity as trainers was obvious, and Officer Jenny saw no reason to impede them.
It turned out that Professor Elm had been so absorbed in his research that someone had managed to snatch a Totodile right from under his nose.
Totodile was one of the three Johto Starter Pokémon intended for new trainers. Its loss meant a rookie trainer would be unable to receive their first Pokémon and start their journey.
Officer Jenny's team quickly found a clue a set of footprints left behind by the thieves. One man, one woman, and a cat.
"It has to be them!" Ash and Misty said in unison, exchanging a knowing look. They were far too familiar with that particular trio.
"Growlithe, I'm counting on you!"
Growlithe was Officer Jenny's most trusted partner. Specially trained by the Jenny family, it could track targets with incredible precision using the lingering scent on their footprints.
Growlithe and Pikachu led the charge, while Ash, Officer Jenny, Brock, and Misty followed close behind. It wasn't long before the familiar silhouettes of Team Rocket appeared through the trees.
"Team Rocket! Let that Totodile go!" Ash shouted, delivering the classic line.
But as they got closer, they realized the situation was a bit unusual. The Totodile had clamped its jaws onto Jessie's long hair and was dangling behind her as she ran.
"We won't listen to you! If you want me to let go, I'll do the exact opposite!" Jessie snapped, turning to flee with James and Meowth.
Ash was faster. He unclipped a Poké Ball and threw it.
"Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip!"
The powerful vines lashed out, tripping the trio and cutting off their escape.
"If that's how it's going to be!" James stood up to fight. "Go, Weezing!"
Weezing billowed out a thick cloud of black smoke, obscuring everyone's vision. They tried to use the cover to vanish, but Ash had already released another Poké Ball.
"Charizard, I choose you! Blow that smoke away!"
As Charizard emerged, Ash took a moment to look over his old friend. Charizard stood about a head taller than Ash. He looked incredibly strong, though in reality, he was slightly smaller than the standard height described in the Pokédex.
With a powerful flap of his wings, Charizard dispersed the smoke instantly. With their cover gone, Team Rocket's chance to escape vanished.
"Bulbasaur, pull Totodile back!"
Using its Vine Whip, Bulbasaur carefully detached the Totodile from Jessie's hair and pulled it to safety.
"Curse you! Finally, that little brat let go of me!" Jessie cried, rubbing her sore scalp. She threw her own Poké Ball. "Lickitung, get that Totodile back!"
"Charizard, Flamethrower!"
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"What?!" Team Rocket gasped. They knew all too well that Pikachu and Charizard were Ash's strongest heavy hitters. Now, both were attacking at once!
Fire and lightning slammed into the two humans and the cat simultaneously. An unexpected explosion followed, sent them spiraling into the sky.
"Team Rocket's blasting off again!"
Hearing that familiar cry made Ash feel like the trip was already worth it.
"They really can fly, can't they?" Misty muttered.
Ash returned the Totodile to Officer Jenny. Though Team Rocket had escaped, rescuing the Pokémon was what mattered. After registering at the Pokémon Center, the group set off once more, heading toward the nearest city with a gym: Violet City.
*Charizard: 145/255*
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