On the way to Violet City, Ash and friends meet Arielle, a trainer who owns a flock of Ledyba, and uses them to pollinate nearby trees. When Team Rocket steal some of the Ledyba (with some accidental help from Pikachu), Ash and friends must help Arielle find them before Team Rocket can get to far.

Ash, Misty, and Brock finally arrive in Violet City, the location the first Johto Gym. They come across a Pokemon Academy. At the academy a young boy named Zackie becomes obsessed with Ash's Pikachu and decides to catch it, even if it belongs to another trainer. However, he ends up catching a Bellsprout instead. Meanwhile, the rest of the class goes on a field trip to the Sprout Tower, where Team Rocket is waiting for Ash so they can get Pikachu.