After saving Ash and itself from the flock of wild Spearow with a powerful Thundershock attack, Pikachu is in dire need of medical attention. Ash rushes Pikachu to the Viridian City Pokémon Center to recover under the care of Nurse Joy. Then the nefarious Pokémon gang, Team Rocket, appears and tries to steal the center’s Pokémon. Ash, the recovered Pikachu and the center’s other Pokémon drive Team Rocket to a hasty retreat.