#1 POKÉMON -- I CHOOSE YOU!

Now that Ash Ketchum is old enough to get his Pokémon license, he can begin his journey to become a Pokémon Master. Unfortunately, the night before he is to leave ,he stays up so late debating which Pokémon he should choose that he oversleeps. By the time he reaches the home of Professor Oak, the local man in charge of helping young trainers, all of the 'good' Pokémon have already been chosen. The only one left is the electric mouse Pikachu. At first, Ash is glad to just have any Pokémon, but Pikachu proves to be very temperamental. He refuses to stay in a Pokéball and zaps the boy whenever he feels threatened or angry.

Having made an uneasy truce with the cute mouse, Ash begins his journey. Soon, he spots a wild Pidgey strolling through the grass. According to Ash's Pokédex, trainers usually use their trained Pokémon to battle wild Pokémon before capturing them. Since Pikachu won't help, Ash attempts to catch the Pidgey by himself. He fails, of course, and ends up angering nearly every Pokémon in the forest. Fleeing for his life, Ash must learn to work with Pikachu if he hopes to become a Pokémon Master.

#2 POKÉMON EMERGENCY!

There's trouble in Viridian City. Someone has been swiping Pokémon from local trainers. On the look-out for the most nefarious of these thieves, Team Rocket, Officer Jenny instead catches Ash running into town with an injured Pokémon. At first, she's suspicious of the boy, thinking that he may have stolen Pikachu. But once Ash explains that Pikachu just finished fighting a flock of angry Spearows, she offers to ride the duo to the Emergency Room of the Viridian City Pokémon Center.

Nurse Joy, the woman in charge of the Pokémon Center, is appalled at Pikachu's condition. As she takes the poor electric mouse to be treated, she accuses Ash of being an unfit trainer. This, of course, makes Ash feel rotten. After telephoning his mother, he receives a call from Professor Oak, who relates how well his grandson Gary is doing with his Pokémon trainer. As if this isn't enough bad news, Misty appears, carrying the charred remains of the bicycle which Ash and Pikachu borrowed from her. Although she begins yelling at Ash, she quickly offers her sympathy when she learns how hurt Pikachu is.

Eventually, Nurse Joy wheels out Pikachu on a hospital gurney. Provided that he remains undisturbed, he should fully recover. This proves unlikely, though, as Jesse, James, and Meowth, the three members of Team Rocket, burst into the Emergency Room and announce their plan to steal all of the Center's unique and rare Pokémon.

#3 ASH CATCHES A POKÉMON

In the Viridian Forest, Ash easily captures a cute, bug Pokémon known as a Caterpie. Misty is less than thrilled because she finds all insects disgusting. Matters are made worse when Caterpie becomes infatuated with Misty. He nuzzles against her leg and falls asleep next to her. Since Ash plans to keep the Caterpie, Ash suggests that he and Misty part company. But, Misty still holds Ash responsible for destroying her bike. Although she obviously would love to get as far away from Caterpie as possible, she continues to be Ash's traveling companion.

Ash's luck as a Pokémon trainer continues as he skillfully battles and captures a Pidgeotto. His joy over the event is short-lived, though, because Team Rocket makes one of its annoying intrusions. Jesse and James remark on how impressive Pikachu's fighting prowess was at the Viridian City Pokémon Center. Since their goal is to collect all rare and unusual Pokémon, they've targeted Ash's Pikachu as their next acquisition. They send out their Pokémon to battle Ash. Koffing quickly slimes Pikachu and Ekans terrorizes Pidgeotto. Unfortunately, Ash must rely on his meek Caterpie to save the day. .

#4 CHALLENGE OF THE SAMURAI

Misty jumps for cover when she spies a new insect in the forest. It's a rather inoffensive looking Weedil. Ash, of course, wants to capture it. Since Pikachu is too tired to fight, he sends Pidgeotto out to battle.

Determined to get away from all insects, Misty sets off on her own. She soon runs into a boy decked out in Samurai garb. He wants to know if she's the new Pokémon trainer from Pallet Town. (Later, we find out that he's already battled and lost to the three other Pallet Town trainers, including Gary Oak.) Misty realizes that he must be looking for Ash.

Pidgeotto is still fighting the Weedle when the Samurai challenges Ash to a Pokémon Battle. This interruption allows the Weedil to escape and contact a swarm of very bad-tempered Beedrills. Soon, our heroes and the Samurai our fleeing from the poisonous stingers of these terrible flying insects. In the melee, one Beedrill snatches Ash's Metapod. How is the young trainer going to free his trapped Pokémon without getting stung?

#5 SHOWDOWN IN PEWTER CITY

On the road to Pewter City, Ash and Misty meet a strange old man named Flint selling rocks. He offers to take them to the Pewter City Pokémon Center. Nurse Joy gladly greets the travelers. Although she may appear to be the exact same Nurse Joy they met in Viridian City, she's actually that Nurse Joy's older sister. (As Ash crosses the countryside, he'll encounter a succession of different, though physically identical Nurse Joys and Officer Jennys.) She takes all of Ash's Pokémon to be revitalized.

Misty notices a poster on the wall. It invites all eligible trainers to compete in the Pokémon League Regional Championships. To qualify, a trainer has to earn seven badges by beating seven different Pokémon Gym Leaders. Once his Pokémon are revitalized, Ash heads for the local Gym with the intent of winning his first badge.

Gym Leader Brock is the master of Rock Pokémon. His snake-like Onix easily out-muscles Pikachu and forces Ash to concede defeat. Dejected, the young trainer wanders out into the woods until he once again meets Flint. The old man is sorry to hear of Ash's loss then offers to help 'super-charge' Pikachu. Setting out to complete this plan, Flint tells Ash about Brock's secret past. The more the young trainer listens, the more he wonders whether he has the heart to defeat Brock.

#6 CLEFAIRY AND THE MOON STONE

Legend has it that in prehistoric times a giant meteor crashed into Mount Moon. Fragments of that huge stone created the Moon Stones, small rocks that can increase the power of certain types of Pokémon. To take advantage of this power, many unscrupulous people, like Jesse and James, for example, have searched the entire mountain for the large, hidden core of the meteor.

Ash, Misty, and Brock only know about a few of the mysteries that surround Mount Moon. Arriving at its base, though, the meet someone who knows a whole lot more. Seymour the Scientist believes that the ancient meteor was actually a spaceship in which the Pokémon came to Earth. He hopes that by finding it, he can help them return to their homeworld.

The caves of Mount Moon are populated with a very rare type of Pokémon known as the Clefairy. Ash tries to capture one, but Seymour stops him. He believes that since the Clefairy exist no where else on the Earth that they should not be removed from their natural habitat. They soon discover that these unique Pokémon play a key role in the mystery of the Moon Stone.

#7 THE WATER FLOWERS OF CERULEAN CITY

For some strange reason, Misty doesn't want to go to Cerulean City. She tells Ash and Brock that all the Pokémon there are monsters and that Viridian City is much nicer. Ash won't listen, because he wants to earn his second Pokémon Badge by challenging the Cerulean City Gym Leader. When he and Brock finally arrive at their destination, Misty is nowhere to be seen.

The Cerulean City Gym is unlike any that Ash has ever encountered. The fighting area is really an Olympic-sized swimming pool surrounded by a huge arena. On the day that Ash visits, the stands are filled with fans watching the Cerulean City Synchronized Sisters, three beautiful girls performing water ballet.

After the show, Ash wanders around the gym, gazing at the endless aquariums filled with fish and water Pokémon. Eventually, he runs into the three performers and learns that they really are the Gym Leaders. He challenges them, but because none of their Pokémon are fit to fight (and they're more interested in performing) they give Ash a Water Badge. The young trainer hesitates. He'd much rather earn the badge. He gets his wish though, when the fourth Cerulean City Sister, Misty, challenges him to a Pokémon battle.

#8 THE PATH TO THE POKÉMON LEAGUE

With two Pokémon badges and 10 victories under his belt, Ash is feeling pretty good about himself. The latest victim of his fighting prowess, a boy with a Rattata, tells Ash that he should take on A.J., a local, undefeated trainer. Ash is confident that A.J. will be his 11th victim.

It soon becomes clear that that victory might not come so easily. Outside of A.J.'s gym is a sign proclaiming that trainer's 98 victories and zero defeats. Ash and his friends are impressed (and a little intimidated) by the gym which Ash built. Still, Ash challenges the rough-natured A.J. and the two battle. A.J.'s Sandshrew easily outpowers Ash's Pidgeotto and Butterfree. Reluctantly, Ash is forced to admit defeat.

Now that the match is over, Ash visits the training area of the gym and is appalled by what he finds. A.J. is using a whip and a special harness to make his Sandshrew exercise in a pool. Usually, Earth Pokémon are weakened by water. When Ash accuses A.J. of being cruel to his Pokémon, the other trainer claims that his techniques have made Sandshrew stronger than normal. Ash disagrees and decides to rescue the wild Pokémon from their heartless trainer.

#9 THE SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS

To break up an argument between Ash and Misty, Brock offers to prepare some tea and crepes for the travelers. First, though, he needs some firewood. While Misty volunteers to stay and keep Brock company, Ash agrees to search the woods for something to burn. A short time later, he comes upon a group of youths quizzing a boy about Pokémon. While answering questions, the boy jogs on an automatic treadmill. For every wrong answer he gives, the testers increase the speed of the treadmill.

Ash steps forward and tries to stop what's going on. Surprisingly, he learns that the boy, who's name is Joe, is a willing participant in this cruel ritual. All of the children are members of the Pokémon Technical Institute, an exclusive school for rich young trainers. Joe says that the other students were just helping him study. Ash thinks that this type of hazing is wrong and vows to stop it.

Following Joe to the school, Ash, Misty, and Brock meet Giselle, the top student in the Beginners Class. She's conceited, arrogant, and beautiful. This last quality especially interests Ash and Brock. Misty, on the other hand, can't tolerate Giselle's insults. She challenges the raven-haired girl to a duel.

Nearby, the two Pokémon Tech drop-outs with the lowest exam scores, Jesse and James, prepare to seek revenge on their alma mater.

#10 BULBASAUR AND THE HIDDEN VILLAGE

Having wandered away from the main path, Ash and his friends are hopelessly lost in the woods. Things begin to look up, though, when Misty and Ash spy a wild Oddish. They attempt to capture the creature, but, from out of nowhere, a Bulbasaur appears to protect it. This strong Pokémon, which is a cross between a flower bulb and a lizard, easily defeats the surprised trainers.

Nearby, Team Rocket is searching the woods for a hidden village that's supposed to contain many defenseless Pokémon. They anticipate an easy haul if they can just find the village.

Continuing on through the woods, Ash, Misty, and Brock use a rope-bridge to cross a deep gorge. Someone has cut part-way through one of the ropes so that the bridge breaks under our heroes' feet. Ash and Misty are able to climb out, but Brock falls into the raging river below. Eventually, he is saved by Melanie, a kind girl who takes care of injured and abandoned Pokémon at her cabin in the woods. This is the village of supposedly defenseless Pokémon that Team Rocket has been looking for. Actually, Melanie's charges are very well protected by a very large and loyal Bulbasaur

. #11 CHARMANDER -- THE STRAY POKÉMON

Still trying to find their way to Vermilion City, Ash and his companions discover a stray Charmander sitting on a rock. At first, Ash tries to catch it, but the weak Pokémon bats his Pokéball away. Pikachu talks to the Charmander and learns that he is waiting for someone. The young trainers decide to continue on to the next Pokémon Center, trusting that whomever the Charmander is waiting for will soon arrive.

That evening at the Pokémon Center, our heroes meet Damian, the Charmander's selfish trainer. He admits that he left the Pokémon in the woods because it was too weak to use in battle. Damian's attitude angers Ash, Misty, and Brock. Outside, a storm is raging. If Charmander's tail flame gets blown out, he could die. Ash and Brock rescue the injured Pokémon from the storm and bring him back to the Pokémon Center.

In the morning, Charmander returns to the rock to wait for Damian. Ash and his friends want the Pokémon to come with them, but know that he is still loyal to his trainer.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket waits in ambush with an Anti-Pikachu Rubber Balloon Bazooka!

#12 HERE COMES THE SQUIRTLE SQUAD

Ash is feeling pretty good about himself. Having already captured a Bulbasaur and Charmander, his future as a Pokémon trainer seems bright. His positive attitude quickly vanishes, though, when he, Misty, and Brock, accidentally fall into a deep pit that someone has dug in the middle of the road. The culprits are the Squirtle Squad, a gang of Pokémon delinquents who take pleasure in playing pranks on humans. According to Officer Jenny, these turtles turned bad because they were abandoned by their trainers. Now they roam the countryside causing mischief.

Even Team Rocket isn't immune from the Squirtle Squad's pranks. Jesse and James are ambushed and have their picnic basket snatched by the joking turtles. Worse yet, Meowth makes friends with the Squirtle squad and convinces them to help Team Rocket capture Pikachu. It doesn't take much effort for these water Pokémon to short-circuit Pikachu and tie-up Ash, Misty, and Brock.

#13 MYSTERY AT THE LIGHTHOUSE

Ash is surprised when the new Pokémon he catches, a Krabby, suddenly vanishes. Brock explains that although trainers may catch 20 or more Pokémon, they can only carry six at a time. The extras are automatically transported to the Pokémon Center where a trainer originally got his or her Pokédex. Wanting to make sure his Krabby is okay, Ash convinces his friends to visit a nearby lighthouse so that he can use the telephone to contact Prof. Oak.

Coincidentally, the lighthouse is operated by Bill, the foremost Pokémon researcher in the land. He spends his time studying rare Pokémon. When Ash, Misty, and Brock first meet him, he's wearing a costume of the extinct Kabuto. This allows Bill to "get inside the head" of the Pokémon that lived millions of year ago.

Ash calls Prof. Oak and learns that his Krabby is fine. He encourages Ash and his friends to learn all they can from Bill about rare Pokémon.

Bill gladly tells our heroes about his favorite Pokémon, especially a giant one which he has only seen once. At the time, he was lucky to record the creature's haunting song. He plays the sad, wailing melody for Ash and his friends, then broadcasts it from the lighthouse's outdoor speakers. Bill hopes that this sound will attract the rarest of all Pokémon for his guests.

#14 ELECTRIC SHOCK SHOWDOWN

After two weeks of wandering, Ash, Pikachu, Misty, and Brock finally arrive in Vermilion City. They are all tired and hungry, but Pikachu is in the worst shape. The young trainers take the exhausted Pokémon to the local Pokémon Center for some quick healing. While there, they encounter 15 other trainers who are nursing their own battered Pokémon. They are all recovering from their battles with the local Pokémon Gym Leader, Lt. Surge. Ash is determined earn a Thunder Badge by beating Surge. Once Pikachu is well, the pair visit the Gym and challenge the blond-haired Surge to a Pokémon battle. At this point, Surge reveals his champion Pokémon: Raichu. This large, electric-powered monster is an evolved form of a Pikachu. Surge boasts that all young trainers who want to be Pokémon Masters should evolve their Pokémon as soon as they get them. He and Ash pit their electric creatures against each other. Unfortunately, Raichu's Thundershock proves too powerful for Pikachu and Ash is forced to concede the contest to Surge.

Back at the hospital, the nurse offers Ash a Thunder Rock, which will allow Pikachu to evolve into a Raichu. Misty reminds her companion that once a Pokémon evolves, it can never change back. Uncertain about what to do, but wanting still to beat Surge, Ash allows Pikachu to choose whether or not he wants to evolve.

#15 BATTLE ABOARD THE ST. ANNE

After defeating Lt. Surge, Ash and friends wander down to the docks of Vermilion City. Two very odd girls bounce up and offer them free tickets to a special luxury cruise for Pokémon Trainers. Happy for a chance to unwind, the trio board the St. Anne as it prepares to depart.

Of course, the two girls turn out to be Jesse and James in disguise. The Trainer-only cruise is really an insidious plot by the mysterious leader of Team Rocket to steal all of the passengers' Pokémon. Jesse, James, and Meowth sneak on the ship and wait for the right moment to strike.

Ash discovers that the Grand Ballroom is packed with fellow Trainers. He challenges a man in a top hat to a Pokémon battle. Using his Butterfree, Ash nearly defeats the man's Raticate. The man is so impressed with Ash's Butterfree that he offers to trade his Raticate for it. After some thought, Ash agrees to the trade. Soon, though, he has second thoughts. Before he has a chance to get Butterfree back, Team Rocket attacks. Not only do the trapped Trainers have to deal with an onslaught of thieves, they must face a storm that threatens to swamp the ship.

#16 POKÉMON SHIPWRECK

The sunken St. Anne teeters up-side down on the edge of an underwater chasm. Trapped inside, Ash, Misty, and Brock must find a way to escape before all the air disappears from the capsized cruise ship. Meanwhile, the three members of Team Rocket fail to swim their way out of the doomed vessel and have to be saved by Misty's Goldeen. At first, the rescued bad guys want to battle their rescuers, but both groups realize that they must co-operate if they hope to escape the St. Anne alive. Should they try to swim out the submerged deck or climb up to the hull ála The Poseidon Adventure? Fortunately, Misty's water Pokémon come to the rescue as does James' formerly useless Magikarp. Just when our heroes (and villains) think that they're free, Magikarp evolves into a deadly Gyarados. Have they beaten the sea only to be destroyed by an enraged sea monster?

#17 ISLAND OF THE GIANT POKÉMON

Caught in a whirlwind created by Gyarados, Ash, Misty, and Brock are tossed onto the beach of a deserted island. When they wake-up, Ash discovers that not only is Pikachu missing but he only has two Pokéballs left. Gyarados' cyclone also deposited Jesse and James on the opposite side of the island. They can't find Meowth or any of their Pokéballs either. They do locate a telephone booth. But, since they don't have any change, they can't call anyone for help.

While wandering through the woods, Pikachu comes across his master's three missing Pokéballs. Freeing Charmander, Squirtle, and Bublasaur, Pikachu leads them on a quest to rejoin Ash and his friends. Suddenly, they're ambushed by Team Rocket's missing Pokémon. To everyone's surprise, Ekans and Koffing refuse follow Meowth's orders to attac