EP001: Difference between revisions

In a massive stadium, two creatures known as Pokémon are having a battle, directed by the trainers to give it their all. One of the Pokémon, a {{p|Gengar}}, uses its {{m|Hypnosis}} attack on its opponent, a {{p|Nidorino}} causing it to fall asleep. Nidorino's trainer recalls it and sends out another Pokémon, {{p|Onix}} to battle. The massive Rock Snake Pokémon emerges from its Poké Ball and prepares to take on Gengar, at which point its revealed that the battle is being displayed on television. Its viewer is a boy named [[Ash Ketchum]] who lives in a small settlement called [[Pallet Town]] and is ten-years old which allows him to pick a [[Starter Pokémon]] and become a [[Pokémon Trainer]]. As Ash declares to himself (and the Pokémon of the world) that he will become a [[Pokémon Master]]. Ash's speech, however, is interrupted by [[Delia Ketchum|his mom]] who tells him to get to bed as he has a big day tomorrow. Ash protests that he's too excited to sleep, so his mom tells him if he won't sleep then to at least get ready for the next day as she switches on a programme hosted by the town's Pokémon expert, {{an|Professor Oak}}. Ash watches as Oak explains that new trainers get to pick one of three Pokémon to start their journey; the [[grass-type]] {{p|Bulbasaur}}, the [[fire-type]] {{p|Charmander}} or the [[water-type]] {{p|Squirtle}}.

As Ash sleeps, he goes over the choices in his head reasoning that any of the three available Pokémon are good for beginning trainers. However his {{p|Voltorb}} alarm clock rolls into his hand as he sleeps and, dreaming that he's throwing a Poké Ball, chucks it into the wall smashing it. When Ash finally wakes up, he sees the sun high in the sky and realizes he overslept. Ash runs to the lab, in such a hurry he doesn't change out of his pyjamas, and at this point doesn't care which starter he gets as long as he gets any. He arrives at the lab just in time to see one of his new fellow trainers (and Professor Oak's grandson), Gary, leaving. Unfortunately for Ash, Gary is very overconfident and brags that he was on time and already has his first Pokémon although he refuses to reveal which one he got. Gary's large crowd (which includes a group of cheerleaders) cheers for him, and Gary promises that he'll become a Pokémon master and put Pallet Town on the map before leaving. As the crowd follows, Ash is left by himself but not for long as Professor Oak approaches. Ash apologizes for being late (and hardly being dressed for the occasion) but tells Professor Oak he's ready to pick his first Pokémon.

Taken into the lab, Ash sees three Poké Balls sitting on a pedestal and states that after thinking about it he's decided to choose Squirtle as his starter... however the Poké Ball is empty. Oak explains that Squirtle has already been claimed by a trainer that was on time. Ash doesn't mind as he decides to instead go with Bulbasaur, whom has also been taken already. Ash is still happy to go with Charmander but, alas, that Pokémon is gone too with someone who wasn't late. Ash asks if this means there are no Pokémon left for him, and Oak tells him this isn't exactly true as he does have another Pokémon but its very unusual. At this point, Ash is willing to settle for anything and tells Oak he'll take whatever it is. A fourth Poké Ball emerges onto the pedestal and Ash picks it up, upon which point it opens and from it emerges a small yellow mouse-like Pokémon. Oak explains that the Pokémon is named {{p|Pikachu}}, and Ash is very impressed deciding Pikachu is better than any of the other starters. He picks up Pikachu and hugs it, however Pikachu doesn't like being hugged and gives Ash a massive electric shock as Oak explains that Pikachu is an electric-type, and has a shocking personality to match. Oak gives Ash some Poké Balls and a [[Pokédex]], however at this point Pikachu shocks them both.     

In the process of trying to capture a [[wild Pokémon|wild]] {{p|Pidgey}}, Ash accidentally angers a flock of {{p|Spearow}}. While running away from the Spearow, Pikachu is grievously injured due to many vicious attacks from the flock. After being [[fishing|fished]] out of a pond by {{an|Misty|a girl}}, Ash takes the girl's bicycle so he can get away from the pursuing Spearow, an effort that is hampered by a raging thunderstorm. Eventually, Ash is left with no other choice but to stand in front of his injured Pokémon and defend him from the Spearow. This selfless act convinces Pikachu to help Ash, so Pikachu leaps over his Trainer's shoulder and uses the lightning from the storm to defeat all of the Spearow simultaneously. However, Pikachu's attack also hits the girl's bicycle, destroying it.