While continuing on the journey, Ash and co. have stopped for a lunch break. Brock brings a pot of soup to the table. While cheering for the delicious food, Piplup accidentally knocks Pikachu's food out of its hand. Pikachu and Piplup watch as the Pokémon food rolls away. They jump off the table to go after it. The food rolls down a small hill until it stops in front of a Pichu. The Pichu, having an evil smile, picks up the food and eats it. Meanwhile, Ash, Dawn, and Brock have just finished lunch. Ash notices that Pikachu and Piplup are still not back yet.

Back at the scene with Pichu, Pichu calls for its trainer. Its trainer comes out and sees Ash's Pikachu. Suddenly, Ash, Dawn, and Brock come running down the small hill, and they meet up with Piplup and Pikachu. The trainer sends out a Raichu, and he orders Raichu to use Iron Tail. Ash quickly tells Pikachu to use Iron Tail. Both Pokémon collide into each other and then fall back. The trainer notices that Ash's Pikachu has a lot of power and then it belongs to Ash. He asks Ash for a trade: his Mareep for Pikachu. Ash refuses the trade, so the trainer adds in a Magnemite and Magneton too. Ash still refuses, and Brock asks the trainer why he wants Pikachu so badly. The trainer replies that he wants Pikachu to complete his evolution set since he already has a Pichu and Raichu. Ash tells the trainer to just get his Pichu to evolve, but that wouldn't work because then the trainer would have to search for a Pichu. The trainer then begins to tease Ash a bit for not wanting to trade, and this angers Ash. He challenges the trainer to a battle: Pikachu VS Raichu. The trainer states that if he wins, he gets Ash's Pikachu, but of course Ash refuses. Nevertheless, they both agree to battle.

Ash introduces himself to the trainer, and the trainer does the same. His name is Sho. After the small talk about who's going to win and lose, the battle begins. Pikachu goes first. It uses Thunderbolt. The electricity hits Raichu, but Raichu just absorbs it. Then Raichu unleashes a big Thunder attack. Pikachu stands still and takes in the Thunder. Brock states that Pikachu had no interest to dodge the attack. The battle is definitely real. So afterwards, Pikachu uses Volt Tackle, and Raichu does the same. Both Pokémon collide into each other head on. Both Pokémon take in some damage, but Pikachu is more affected by it since it's smaller size. Ash orders Pikachu to use Iron Tail next. Raichu again mimics Pikachu's move and both Pokémon collide into each other again. Raichu's attack, however, has more of an effect on Pikachu because it is bigger. Sho decides that it's time to put an end to the battle. He orders Raichu to use Hyper Beam. Pikachu tries to dodge the attack, but Raichu uses its tail to pin Pikachu to a large boulder. The Hyper Beam hits Pikachu directly. Pikachu hits the ground and lays there for a while. When Raichu approaches it, Pikachu tries to get up, but it ends up fainting from fear.

The battle is over, and Raichu is the winner. Ash immediately runs over to Pikachu and carries it in his hands. Sho mocks Ash about how weak his Pikachu was. He asks Ash about the trade again, and Ash immediately refuses. Sho then laughs and walks away. Paul suddenly appears and tells Ash about how pathetic his Pokémon was in the battle. Paul thinks that Ash should just evolve his Pikachu. Then the battle would be even. Brock does agree with the fact that Pikachu can't learn Hyper Beam unless it evolves. Dawn states that Ash would first need to get a Thunder Stone. While the group is thinking, Pikachu suddenly loses consciousness, so they rush him to the nearest Pokémon Center.

Pikachu is brought inside a Pokémon Center. Nurse Joy tells Ash, Dawn, and Brock to wait in the waiting room while she treats it. While being cared for, Pikachu sees flashbacks of the times it had with Ash. When a flashback with Raichu appears, Pikachu begins to lose life. Chansey helps Nurse Joy as she sends shocks of electricity into Pikachu's body. Unfortunately, the shocks aren't working, and Pikachu's life meter just goes down. However, as soon as Ash cries out, "Come on, Pikachu!", Pikachu's life meter shoots way up. Nurse Joy and Chansey are relieved that Pikachu will make it.

Later in the day, Pikachu wakes up to only see Ash's face. Ash, Dawn, and Brock tell Pikachu how glad they are to see it. Pikachu tells Ash that it wants to beat Raichu. It tries to get out of bed, but Ash grabs it and tells Pikachu that it needs to rest. Dawn explains to Pikachu that it won't be able to beat Raichu in the condition it is in. Suddenly, Ash takes out a bag and opens it. A Thunder Stone pops out. Dawn asks where he got it from. Ash replies that he had a similar situation with the gym leader from Vermillion City. The Nurse Joy from there gave him the stone, and he's been holding on to it for all this time. Pikachu suddenly becomes more exhausted, and it lies back down on the bed. Ash sets the Thunder Stone on the table next to Pikachu, and the three of them walk out of the room.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket has been watching Pikachu all along from outside the Pokémon Center. They discuss about Pikachu and its evolution. Meowth states that it wouldn't be right if Pikachu evolved. That night, the moonlight shines down on Pikachu's face through the window. Pikachu turns around and sees the Thunder Stone. It stares at it, thinking about what it should do. Later, when Ash, Dawn, and Brock walk into the room to check up on Pikachu, they find out that Pikachu is gone. They look at the table and see that the Thunder Stone is gone too. Dawn wonders if Pikachu decided to evolve or not. The trio decides that the best choice is to search for Pikachu. So they run outside and call out for Pikachu. When they can't find him, Ash begins to run through the forest. He sees a lightning bolt and heads for that direction. When Ash arrives at his destination, he sees Pikachu using Volt Tackle on a pile of rocks. Ash compliments on Pikachu's strength and realizes that it doesn't want to evolve.

Suddenly, Team Rocket appears. They tell Ash that they won't steal any Pokémon until Pikachu has done more training. Meowth takes out the Thunder Stone that Pikachu took and tells them that they won't need it anymore. Then Team Rocket walks away. Dawn and Brock meet up with Ash. They are glad to see that Pikachu is safe. Ash announces that the next day him and Pikachu are going to do some tough training to prepare for the battle with Raichu. The next day, Ash and co. wake up early to start their training. As they walk out of the Pokémon Center, they see Paul getting his Pokémon healed. Paul doesn't even greet Ash. He just walks out of the Pokémon Center when his Pokémon are fully healed.

When Ash and co. get outside, the training begins. Ash starts off by throwing a few frisbees as Pikachu. Pikachu catches them all with its tail. Suddenly, they notice a bolt of electricity coming from within the forest. Ash realizes that the electricity belongs to Raichu, so the entire group runs over to it. Sho greets Ash and co. Ash demands for a rematch, and Sho agrees. Sho thinks the battle will have the same result as last time, so he isn't too concerned. When the battle begins, Raichu uses Iron Tail, but Pikachu swiftly dodges it. Raichu continues to use Iron Tail, and Pikachu rolls in a circle to dodge the attacks. Eventually, however, Raichu is able to lift Pikachu up in the air. It then uses Volt Tackle. Pikachu counters with its own Iron Tail attack, and both Pokémon have a collision. Both Pokémon are left unharmed. Raichu gets back up again and uses Volt Tackle. Pikachu waits until the last second and spins to avoid the attack.

Meanwhile, during the battle, Team Rocket is hidden behind the trees. They are secretly cheering for Pikachu. Sho commands his Raichu to use Iron Tail again. Pikachu uses the same trick as before. It circles around Raichu to dodge the attacks. Then when Raichu gets tired out, Pikachu hits Raichu with its own Iron Tail. Raichu recovers and strikes back with Thunder. Pikachu dodges the attack and uses Volt Tackle. The attack directly hits Raichu. Still, Raichu has a lot of energy left. It pins Pikachu to a tree and charges up for a Hyper Beam. Right before the Hyper Beam can hit Pikachu, Ash calls out for a Thunderbolt. The Hyper Beam creates an explosion, and Sho thinks the battle is over. However, when the dust clears, Raichu and Pikachu are both standing up. According to Brock, the Hyper Beam attack was cut in half. Because Raichu needs to recharge, Pikachu uses a Volt Tackle combined with an Iron Tail on it. Raichu directly takes the hit, but it's still standing.

Sho is getting frustrated with the battle because Pikachu hasn't fainted yet. He orders Raichu to use Volt Tackle, and Ash does the same with Pikachu. Both Pokémon collide into each other again. At the end of the collision, both Pokémon are still standing. Sho is surprised since his Raichu is a lot bigger. Ash tells Sho that there's more to a battle than size. Sho becomes more frustrated, so he orders Raichu to use Iron Tail again. Pikachu dodges the move by spinning and then it uses its own Iron Tail to grab Raichu's tail. Pikachu is in full control of Raichu now. It swings Raichu and slams it against a tree. Raichu is still able to battle though. It uses another Hyper Beam. Pikachu dodges Raichu's tail, spins up into the air, and slams down onto Raichu with an Iron Tail. Raichu is finally knocked out, and Pikachu is the winner.

Ash, Dawn, and Brock congratulate Pikachu for its victory. Team Rocket cries happily that Pikachu won. Now they can finally have the chance to steal Pikachu again. Meowth takes out the Thunder Stone and asks what they plan to do with it. Jessie and James replies that they can sell it. Sho tells Ash that his Pokémon are great, and the next time he plans to win. With the battle finally over, Ash and co. finally head back on the road for their next journey.

English Official Summary

Before he can get to Pastoria City, Ash has to battle a slang-talking Trainer named Sho. Sho wants to collect a Pikachu evolution set and he already has Raichu and Pichu, so he has his eye on Ash's Pikachu—but Ash isn't about to trade. Instead, they have a battle: Sho's Raichu vs. Ash's Pikachu. Raichu isn't afraid to go head-to-head with Pikachu, and it also knows Hyper Beam, a move that Pikachu can't learn unless it evolves. Not only does Raichu beat Pikachu, Paul drops by just long enough to sneer at Ash for not having evolved his Pikachu. While Pikachu gets some serious rest and recuperation at the nearest Pokémon Center, Ash takes out the Thunderstone he received in Vermilion City. Back at the Vermilion Gym, Lt. Surge's Raichu beat Pikachu and forced it to consider whether it wanted to evolve; even though Pikachu decided to remain a Pikachu, what if it's changed its mind since then? Team Rocket saw the whole thing unfold and they still think Pikachu should stay the same, so they swipe the Thunderstone when no one is looking. It's just as well, since Pikachu decides to beat Raichu itself. After some special training, it's time for a rematch. Instead of relying on raw power, Ash has Pikachu use strategic moves and spinning tricks to beat Raichu. Sho admits that Ash's Pikachu is pretty good—but if they ever meet again, the result will be different!

French Official Summary

Sacha et Pikachu rencontrent un Dresseur inhabituel qui voudrait vraiment ajouter un Pikachu à son équipe de Pichu et Raichu !

German Official Summary

Ash und Pikachu lernen einen ungewöhnlichen Trainer kennen, der äußerst gerne Pikachu in sein Team, das bereits Pichu und Raichu enthält, einfügen würde!

Italian Official Summary

Prima di raggiungere Pratopoli, Ash deve affrontare un Allenatore dalla parlata insolita, di nome Sho. Sho desidera collezionare una serie di evoluzioni di Pikachu e, siccome ha già Raichu e Pichu, ha messo gli occhi sul Pikachu di Ash.

Portuguese Official Summary

Ash e Pikachu conhecem um Treinador incomum que gostaria muito de adicionar um Pikachu à sua equipe de Pichu e Raichu!

Finnish Official Summary

Ash ja Pikachu tapaavat epätavallisen kouluttajan, joka haluaisi kovasti lisätä Pikachun omaan Pichu- ja Raichu-joukkoonsa!

Spanish Latin America Official Summary

Ash y Pikachu conocen a un inusual Entrenador a quien le gustaría añadir a Pikachu a su equipo de Pichu y Raichu.

Spanish Official Summary

Antes de que puedan llegar a Ciudad Pradera, Ash tiene que luchar con un maleducado Entrenador llamado Sho. Sho quiere completar una serie de evolución Pikachu y ya tiene a Raichu y Pichu, así que tiene el ojo puesto en el Pikachu de Ash.

English Great Britian Official Summary

Before he can get to Pastoria City, Ash has to battle a slang-talking Trainer named Sho. Sho wants to collect a Pikachu evolution set and he already has Raichu and Pichu, so he has his eye on Ash's Pikachu—but Ash isn't about to trade. Instead, they have a battle: Sho's Raichu vs. Ash's Pikachu. Raichu isn't afraid to go head-to-head with Pikachu, and it also knows Hyper Beam, a move that Pikachu can't learn unless it evolves. Not only does Raichu beat Pikachu, Paul drops by just long enough to sneer at Ash for not having evolved his Pikachu. While Pikachu gets some serious rest and recuperation at the nearest Pokémon Center, Ash takes out the Thunderstone he received in Vermilion City. Back at the Vermilion Gym, Lt. Surge's Raichu beat Pikachu and forced it to consider whether it wanted to evolve; even though Pikachu decided to remain a Pikachu, what if it's changed its mind since then? Team Rocket saw the whole thing unfold and they still think Pikachu should stay the same, so they swipe the Thunderstone when no one is looking. It's just as well, since Pikachu decides to beat Raichu itself. After some special training, it's time for a rematch. Instead of relying on raw power, Ash has Pikachu use strategic moves and spinning tricks to beat Raichu. Sho admits that Ash's Pikachu is pretty good—but if they ever meet again, the result will be different!

Russian Official Summary

Перед тем как добраться до города Пастория, Эш должен вступить в битву с болтающим на уличном жаргоне тренером по имени Шо. Сё хочет получить набор эволюции Пикачу. У него уже есть Раичу и Пичу, а теперь он положил глаз на Пикачу Эша.

Dutch Official Summary

Voordat hij naar Pastoria City kan gaan, moet Ash vechten met een Trainer die straattaal praat, Sho genaamd. Sho wil een Pikachu-evolutieset verzamelen en hij heeft Raichu en Pichu al, dus hij aast op de Pikachu van Ash.

Norwegian Official Summary

Ash og Pikachu møter en uvanlig Trener som gjerne vil ha en Pikachu med på laget sitt sammen med sin Pichu og Raichu!

Swedish Official Summary

Ash och Pikachu träffar på en ovanlig Tränare som verkligen skulle vilja ha med Pikachu i sitt team som består av Pichu och Raichu!

Danish Official Summary

Ash og Pikachu møder en usædvanlig Træner, som frygteligt gerne vil tilføje en Pikachu til sit hold af Pichu og Raichu!