As Ash and his friends continue to Olivine City, Team Rocket, upon spotting the group walking by, put their latest plot into action. They pose as inventors struggling to test an invention called the PokéPod, a contraption that will revolutionize Pokémon training. Ash kindly offers to assist the pair of scientists, and Jessie promptly places Pikachu inside the PokéPod, causing the device to lock itself automatically. James declares the device to be a total success, and now cannot be opened without the key. Ash asks for Pikachu back, but Team Rocket reveals themselves to Ash and quickly makes a getaway using Weezing’s Smokescreen as cover. The group gives chase, however, Jessie manages to pass the PokéPod to her hiding Wobbuffet unnoticed by Ash and the others. By the time the group catches up, they are surprised to see that the PokéPod is gone. However, Wobbuffet spontaneously reveals himself and blows the clean getaway. Ash makes a run at the Patient Pokémon, causing Wobbuffet to panic and accidentally trip on a nearby rock. While the PokéPod containing Pikachu goes flying into Ash’s arms, Wobbuffet falls into the nearby river and is quickly swept over a waterfall, along with the key needed to release Pikachu.
