Ash and co. are hungry. Brock suggests that they celebrate Ash's battles with a big meal. Ash is happy that everyone in the Pokémon League can still eat for free. Mrs. Ketchum and Professor Oak waves to Ash. They are both impressed with Ash's battles. Since Mrs. Ketchum is very proud with Ash, she decides to cook Ash's favorite meal. Ash wonders where she is going to cook. Mrs. Ketchum is in a restaurant kitchen cooking Ash's favorite meal. Ash and co. are embarrassed. When the meal is finally ready, everyone gazes at the well prepared meal. Everyone has good compliments on Mrs. Ketchum's meal. While they are eating, Professor Oak tells Ash that he will be allowed to battle with six Pokémon if he wins his next battle. Brock says that tomorrow is when trainers find out who they are battling. Professor Oak tells Ash to give him a call if he needs more Pokémon.

When they are done eating, Professor Oak reminds Ash to do his best. He's a winner even if he loses. The elevator opens, and Ash and co. walks in it. Another trainer runs up to them and runs inside the elevator. The trainer thanks Ash and co. for holding the elevator for him. He sees Pikachu on the floor. He asks who Pikachu belongs to, and Ash responds that Pikachu is his. The trainer bends down and pets Pikachu. The trainer tells Ash that he did a really good job in raising Pikachu. Suddenly, the lights black out. Brock tries to use the emergency call button, but they get no response. There's nothing they can do until someone restores the electricity. The trainer is busy fixing the wires. He tells Ash that he needs Pikachu's electricity to power up the elevator again. Professor Oak is impressed at the trainer's idea. Pikachu uses Thundershock, and the elevator begins to move again.

When the arrive at the first floor, everyone walks out of the elevator. The trainer introduces himself as Richie. Richie tells everyone that he has to go, and he runs off. Suddenly, they hear someone speaking on the microphone. The speakers tells all participants that they must bring their Pokéballs to a place for inspection immediately. The speakers are really Team Rocket. All they want to do is steal the Pokéballs. All the trainers arrives at the place for inspection. Ash sees Richie and says hello to him. Jessie reports that any trainer who doesn't drop their Pokéballs in the bag will be disqualified. Ash and Richie know that something is up. Jessie and James comes by Ash and Richie, who drop their Pokéballs in the bag. Jessie says that they also have to take Pikachu. Jessie holds Pikachu, and Pikachu shocks her. Then Team Rocket says their motto. Ash and Richie demand for the Pokéballs back. James ignores them, and he orders Weezing to use Smog. Smoke fills the area, and Team Rocket begins making their getaway.

Ash begins to chase Team Rocket's truck. Richie begins to follow him. They realize that they can't catch up on foot unless they take the path straight down the middle even though it is a mountain. Ash decides to take the path anyways. Richie wants him to stop. Halfway down, Richie throws himself on Ash and stops him from falling off. Ash and Richie block Team Rocket's path. James drives down the mountain, and Ash and Richie follows them. Team Rocket hits a bump and land in the river. James has been knocked out, and now Jessie has to take over.

It is getting dark now. Richie suggests that they camp out for the night. He tells Ash that he has an extra sleeping bag that Ash can use. A few moments later, the two boys make a fire. Ash apologizes to Richie for being so hard on him before. Richie accepts Ash's apology. Ash tells Richie to be more careful before stepping infront of the truck. Richie says that Ash did it too. Ash guesses that he can get pretty crazy when it comes to Pokémon. Richie agrees. Richie gives Ash a can of food. Ash asks Richie if they will ever see their Pokémon again. Richie tells that he knows they will find them, and they will begin looking tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket are having a feast for capturing a lot of Pokémon. Ash and Richie are in their sleeping bags. Richie is connecting the stars in order to form shapes of Pokémon. The first Pokémon they see is Onix. Richie connects some more starts, and he sees Pikachu. Ash tells Richie that he is going to be the greatest trainer on the entire planet. Richie doesn't think it will happen because he tells himself that he will be the greatest trainer in the entire galaxy. Ash mentions that he will be the greatest in the universe.

The next day, Ash and Richie continues their search for Team Rocket. Richie spots some tire tracks up ahead. They decide to follow the tracks. The tracks lead them straight to Team Rocket who are sleeping. Ash and Richie walk quietly pass Team Rocket and into the truck. Ash opens the bag and Pikachu jumps out. The other Pokéballs are safe in the bag. Behind them is Team Rocket. They lock Ash and Richie in the truck and take off. Ash and Richie has to do something fast. Richie suggests that they let their Pokémon out. Unfortunately for Ash, he can't tell which Pokéballs are his. Richie has stars on his Pokéballs, so he can recognize his easily. Ash throws a Pokéball from the bag, and a Drowzee pops out. Ash quickly returns the Pokémon back into its Pokéball. Slowbro and Magikarp come out next. Ash can't seem to find his Pokéballs. Pikachu sniffs the Pokéballs that are laying on the ground. Pikachu tells Ash that the Pokéball on the ground is his. Bulbasaur comes out of the Pokéball. It tackles the truck, but nothing happens. Bulbasaur uses Razor Leaf next, but the leaves bounce right off the wall. Richie tries his Pokémon next. He sends out a Charmander which he nicknamed Zippo. Zippo uses Slash on the truck, and the wall breaks apart.

Team Rocket notices this. Jessie sends out Arbok. Pikachu is about to use Thunderbolt when James quickly turns the truck, causing Pikachu to lose its balance. Arbok tackles Pikachu to the ground. Richie sends out a Pikachu which he also nicknamed Sparky. Sparky uses Agility to try to confuse Arbok. Ash's Pikachu also uses Agility. Arbok gets confused and grows dizzy. The two Pikachus then use Thunderbolt. The front part of the truck explodes, and Team Rocket blasts off again. The back part, where Ash and Richie are held, still remains. They come close to the edge of a cliff. Ash sends out Pidgeotto and Richie sends out Butterfree, who is nicknamed Happy. Richie suggests that their Pokémon are their parachutes. The truck falls off the cliff while Ash and Richie hang onto their Pokémon. However, they are falling too fast. Richie tells Ash to have Pidgeotto aim a Whirlwind towards the ground. Both Pokémon use Whirlwind. The attack makes a smoother landing for the boys.

A few other trucks comes up towards them. Misty and Brock are in one of them. Ash and Richie shake hands with each other. After the Pokéballs are returned, Ash and Richie heads to the Pokémon Center to find out their next opponent. Ash does a fishing game to find out who he is battling next. A Magikarp gets hooked on the line. "A-3" is what is written on the Magikarp. That means that Ash's next opponent is Richie! Ash's new opponent is his newest friend. How will Ash win?

English Official Summary

Ash's Mom and Professor Oak make a surprise visit to watch Ash battle in the Pokémon League Tournament. Professor Oak informs Ash that if he wins his next battle he'll be able to use six Pokémon in battle instead of three. He also tells Ash to remember that if he does his best but loses his matches, he's still a winner! On their way back from dinner, Ash meets another trainer who's also competing in the tournament and also has a Pikachu. Ash and Richie become fast friends especially when they have to fight the unrelenting Team Rocket that steals all of their Pokéballs, along with both of their Pikachu.

Italian Official Summary

Alla Lega Pokémon Ash si imbatte in un Allenatore molto simile a lui, i due ragazzi stringono immediatamente amicizia e anche i loro due Pikachu sembrano andare subito d'accordo!

Portuguese Official Summary

Quando Ash conhece um Treinador chamado Richie na Liga Pokémon, os dois rapazes rapidamente se tornam bons amigos - bem como os dois Pikachu!

Spanish Latin America Official Summary

Cuando Ash conoce a un Entrenador parecido llamado Richie en la Liga Pokémon, los dos chicos pronto se vuelven amigos cercanos, ¡al igual que sus dos Pikachu!

Spanish Official Summary

La madre de Ash y el Profesor Oak le hacen una visita sorpresa para verle combatir en el Torneo de la Liga Pokémon.

English Great Britian Official Summary

Ash's Mom and Professor Oak make a surprise visit to watch Ash battle in the Pokémon League Tournament. Professor Oak informs Ash that if he wins his next battle he'll be able to use six Pokémon in battle instead of three. He also tells Ash to remember that if he does his best but loses his matches, he's still a winner! On their way back from dinner, Ash meets another trainer who's also competing in the tournament and also has a Pikachu. Ash and Richie become fast friends especially when they have to fight the unrelenting Team Rocket that steals all of their Pokéballs, along with both of their Pikachu.

Dutch Official Summary

Wanneer Ash tijdens de Pokémon League een gelijkgestemde Trainer ontmoet genaamd Richie, raken de twee jongens al snel bevriend, net als hun twee Pikachu!

French Official Summary

La mère de Sacha et le Professeur Chen rendent une visite surprise à Sacha pour le voir combattre dans le Tournoi de la Ligue Pokémon.

German Official Summary

Ashs Mutter und Professor Eich machen einen Überraschungsbesuch, um Ash im Pokémon-Liga-Wettkampf antreten zu sehen.

Danish Official Summary

Da Ash møder en ligesindet Træner ved navn Richie til Pokémon Ligaen, bliver de to drenge hurtigt nære venner – og det gør deres to Pikachu også!