Ash finally returns home to Pallet Town and is surprised when he gets home and Brock is there, as he is no longer working at Professor Ivy's place. Everyone heads to Professor Oak's lab where Tracey finally gets to meet him in person. However, the good times are short lived when Team Rocket attacks and traps everyone.

Ash's adventure begins when a powerful storm beaches him and his friends on Shamouti Island just as the islanders are preparing to cast the hero role in their annual festival. They offer it to Ash. It sounds like fun, so he accepts. The festival enacts an ancient legend about three great and powerful Pokémon birds, Moltres, Zapdos and Articuno, who maintain nature's balance on the earth by ruling the elements of fire, lightning and ice.