Ash and co. have finally made it to Indigo Plataeu. Ash is very excited. His craziness even makes Togepi cry. Ash apologizes, but he can hardly wait to register. When they arrive at the scene, Ash and co. sees a group of people standing by. The people begin to cheer. They run right past Ash and co. Up ahead is a man caring a torch. A fire is lit up and stays lit for the whole competition. Legend has it that the flames come from the legendary Pokémon, Moltres. Ash looks up Moltres in his Pokédex. Ash wants to capture a Moltres, but first he wants to carry the torch. He walks up the the man. Officer Jenny blows her whistle and tells Ash that only approved competitors can carry the torch. Another man comes up to them. He decides to give Ash a chance. After all, it's all about the spirit. Ash wonders if the man is Santa Claus. The man introduces himself as Charlie Goodshow, president of the Pokémon League Torch Committee. Goodshow offers Ash the oppurtunity to carry the flame to the stadium. Ash gladly accepts the offer.

Team Rocket is spying on Ash and co. from their balloon. They decide to steal the torch. Ash hears something up ahead. Misty and Brock hears it too. The ground suddenly splits apart, and the truck falls into the ground. Ash wonders how this happened. Team Rocket appears above them, and they say their motto. Team Rocket jumps down. Meowth scratches Ash, and the torch falls out of his hands. Meowth grabs the torch, but he catches on fire. Meowth is chasing Jessie and James, who is running away from him. James sends out Victreebel. Victreebel sucks in Meowth, but Victreebel catches on fire too. Ash knows he's going to regret this, but he sends out Squirtle. Squirtle uses Water Gun to put the fire out. James heads for Pikachu. Pikachu throws the flame in the air and uses Thundershock on James. Ash and Jessie catches the flame at the same time. Squirtle pulls on Jessie's mouth, while Meowth tickles Ash. Ash lets go of the flame. Team Rocket then makes their getaway. Ash sulks to the ground.

Misty, Brock, Officer Jenny, and Goodshow gets back up from the hole. Goodshow walks up to Ash. He is very proud of Ash. Goodshow then reaches into his jacket and pulls out a lanturn. In the lanturn is the flame. Goodshow says that he always carries a spare just incase the flame goes out. Team Rocket's flame is burning out. Meowth finds a switch on the bottom of the flame. He turns it, and the flame goes out.

Meanwhile, Officer Jenny is pulling her motorcycle out. The flame gets relit, and Ash continues the run. Misty swaps places with Ash. Afterwards, Brock does some running too. Brock makes it past the finish line which is at the stadium. Ash and co. agrees to be at the ceremony tomorrow.

Ash and co. are looking around at the village, a place where competitors stay. Ash hears a familiar voice. It's Gary. Gary tells Ash that he will need luck to win the competition. Ash scolds at Gary by saying that he is a great Pokémon Trainer. Gary mocks Ash some more, and then he leaves with his girlfriends. Ash and co. have found a place to stay for the night. While Misty and Brock are sleeping, Ash is thinking about the competition. He gets out of bed and walks to the stadium. Goodshow sees Ash at the stadium. Ash wonders if he is ready or not. Then Ash says that he will win as long as he does the best he can.

The next day, the ceremony starts. The stadium is filled with people. The competitors enter the stadium. Each of them had to win eight gym badges to qualify. Ash enters the stadium with a nervous look on his face. Gary doesn't look nervous at all. Now a trainer runs out with the torch. The trainer runs to the top of the stairs. Two people appears. They take the torch from the trainer. Just in time comes Ash. The people reveals themselves as Team Rocket. James sends out Weezing who uses Smog. Team Rocket lites the base with the flame. Then Team Rocket gets out a mechanical vehicle, and they steal the flame. Without the flame, the competition can't begin. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt, but the attack has no effect on Team Rocket. Ash sends out Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur uses Razor Leaf, but the flame burns out the leaves. Team Rocket traps Ash. Ash tells Team Rocket that he is not afraid, and that he won't let them steal the flame. Team Rocket fires the flame at Ash, but surprisingly the flame doesn't do any damage to Ash. The legendary Pokémon, Moltres, appears. Moltres burns Team Rocket to a crisp, and they blast off again. Then Moltres relites the flame.

Goodshow recites a welcoming speech. Everyone applauds when Goodshow is finished. Ash thanks Moltres for keeping the flame alive. He has finally made it to the Pokémon League. Will Ash win? Who knows...

English Official Summary

On the day before the Pokémon League Tournament, Ash, Brock and Misty watch as the torchbearer runs by on his way to Indigo stadium. They learn that it is the flame of a Moltres, a legendary Pokémon that stands for the whole spirit of the Pokémon League that lights the torch. Ash's excitement and nervousness build up to the next morning as he joins the other trainers in the march of the athletes. But, its Team Rocket once again who tries to spoil the moment when they attempt to steal the flame of the Moltres.

Italian Official Summary

Ash, Brock e Misty giungono alla Lega Pokémon giusto in tempo per assistere all'arrivo del tedoforo con la torcia la cui fiamma si dice sia stata accesa dal Pokémon leggendario Moltres. Naturalmente, il Team Rocket cerca di appropriarsene!

Portuguese Official Summary

A Liga Pokémon está prestes a começar com a cerimónia de acender a tocha, que contém uma chama do Pokémon Lendário Moltres. Obviamente, a Team Rocket tenta roubá-la!

Spanish Latin America Official Summary

La Liga Pokémon está a punto de empezar, con el encendido ceremonial de la antorcha, que lleva una llama del Pokémon Legendario Moltres. ¡Por supuesto, el Equipo Rocket trata de robarla!

Spanish Official Summary

El día antes del Torneo de la Liga Pokémon, Ash, Brock y Misty ven correr al portador de la antorcha hacia el Estadio Añil.

English Great Britian Official Summary

On the day before the Pokémon League Tournament, Ash, Brock and Misty watch as the torchbearer runs by on his way to Indigo stadium. They learn that it is the flame of a Moltres, a legendary Pokémon that stands for the whole spirit of the Pokémon League that lights the torch. Ash's excitement and nervousness build up to the next morning as he joins the other trainers in the march of the athletes. But, its Team Rocket once again who tries to spoil the moment when they attempt to steal the flame of the Moltres.

Dutch Official Summary

De Pokémon League zal zo beginnen met het ceremonische ontsteken van de toorts die een vlam draagt van de Legendarische Pokémon Moltres. Natuurlijk probeert Team Rocket hem te stelen!

French Official Summary

La veille du Tournoi de la Ligue Pokémon, Sacha, Pierre et Ondine regardent passer le porteur de la torche qui court vers le Stade Indigo.

German Official Summary

Am Tag vor dem Pokémon-Liga-Wettkampf beobachten Ash, Rocko und Misty den Fackelträger auf dem Weg ins Indigo-Stadion.

Danish Official Summary

Pokémon Ligaen skal til at begynde med sin ceremonielle optænding med en fakkel, som bærer en flamme fra den Legendariske Pokémon Moltres. Som forventet forsøger Team Rocket at stjæle den!