The fifth round match-ups have been determined and Ash is up against his new friend Richie. The two of them are shocked, but determined to win the battle, despite little sleep that night. The day of there battle, Team Rocket use a voice changer to sound like Richie and call Ash. "Richie" wants to meet Ash and talk to him about Pikachu. When Ash arrives at the meeting point, Team Rocket reveal themselves and capture Ash and Pikachu and begin to take him and Pikachu away. Ash manages to escape, but Team Rocket is in pursuit. Now Ash must race back to Indigo Stadium before he is disquialifed for not showing up, while at the same time dodging Team Rocket's attacks.