Pokemon: Ash, Misty, and Brock arrive in the port city of Maiden's Peak. They join in the summer festival where they learn the Legend of the Maiden. Brock decides to visit Maiden's Rock to look at the Maiden while Team Rocket decides to camp outside the shrine so they can steal the paintings inside. That night Brock doesn't return to the pokemon center and James goes missing. In the morning everyone heads to the temple to find them.

Continuing on their way to Saffron City, a mysterious girl appears in front of the group. They ask her for directions to Saffron City, but she runs away. Ash gives chase and runs straight off a cliff. After using Bulbasaur to rescue him, they discover that the little girl has lead them to Saffron City. After entering the city, they are greeted by two people as the millionth visitors to the city. The grand prize turns out to a trap by Team Rocket who have left them in a room with no exit, and are ready to leave with Pikachu. Before they can leave the little girl returns and saves them, and even brings them to the Saffron Gym. Ash heads inside, where he is ready to fight Sabrina for his fourth badge.