Introduction: Meet Ash Ketchum, a 10-year-old boy full of imagination, confidence, and dreams that are almost too big for his home of Pallet Town鈥攑lus the desire to become a Pok茅mon Master! Ash is finally old enough to receive his first Pok茅mon from Professor Oak, the town's Pok茅mon expert-but on the morning Ash is supposed to claim it, he oversleeps! By the time he arrives at Professor Oak's, the three Pok茅mon he wanted have already been chosen by the other Trainers-in-training, including his rival, Gary! The only Pok茅mon remaining is a strong-willed Pikachu. Trainer and Pok茅mon don't get along right away. Not only does Pikachu refuse to enter its Pok茅 Ball, it would rather climb a tree than battle a Pidgey that Ash encounters! Disagreements aside, they start to bond when they find themselves chased by an angry flock of Spearow. The Spearow wound Pikachu, but Ash risks his own safety to protect his Pok茅mon. To further their escape, Ash "borrows" a bike owned by a young girl named Misty. He soon wrecks the bike, however, and he and Pikachu are surrounded by the Spearow. When Ash fearlessly confronts the Spearow, Pikachu is inspired to summon its remaining energy to repel the Pok茅mon with a powerful electric shock. Finally out of harm's way, the wild experience makes Ash and Pikachu realize that they've begun what promises to be a blooming friendship....