As a strange electrical storm passes over Nuvema Town, Pikachu is suddenly healed. Ash then decides to not return with his mom and Professor Oak to Kanto and to travel around the Unova region instead. As he begins his travels he meets a girl named Iris and her Axew. The next day Ash makes his first capture in Unova by capturing a Pidove. However, the celebration is short lived as Team Rocket appear and capture Pikachu and Axew. Ash and Iris must now find a way to get their Pokémon back from the villainous trio.