Continuing towards Vermilion City, Ash spies a lone Charmander along a mountain pass but fails to capture it. At the Pokémon Center, the gang learns that Charmander is waiting for its master — a cruel boy named Damion — who left it there. When a storm erupts and Charmander remains on the mountain pass, our heroes rescue the flame Pokémon and nurse it back to health. After a battle with Team Rocket to boost its courage, Charmander leaves Damion and goes with Ash!