SS014: Journey to the Starting Line!

is a special episode. In the dub, it is the 15th episode of Pokémon Chronicles.
== Blurb ==
A peaceful day at Professor Oak's lab turns into chaos when a series of small incidents leads to a Tauros stampede! The mayor's son, Gilbert, is supposed to receive his first Pokémon, but the Tauros broke through the walls of the lab and now the starter Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur have all escaped. And when Gilbert does show up, he has a lot of attitude but very little affection for Pokémon: he just wants something cool and powerful, not a Kanto starter Pokémon! However, everyone's first priority is to catch the runaway Pokémon. Tracey and Ash's mom Delia will go one way, Professor Oak, Gilbert, and Ash's Bulbasaur head for the mountains.
In the forest, Tracey and Delia rescue Charmander from a stream. Up in the mountains, Gilbert is scared of the high, narrow path, and is ready to walk away even after he spots Squirtle stuck on a tree overhead. But when Gilbert falls off the path, Bulbasaur saves him—and when Professor Oak catches Squirtle but nearly falls off too, Bulbasaur makes another save. Then Bulbasaur plays with Squirtle to reassure it after its big scare. This gets Gilbert thinking about Bulbasaur's loyalty, and he even tries to play with Squirtle himself.
As for the missing Bulbasaur, it's been seen all over town. Now it's hiding in a tree, cornered by a bunch of wild Primeape! Gilbert is about to abandon Bulbasaur too, but Professor Oak tries to rescue it. When Gilbert sneezes, he tips off the Primeape to the rescue and they all attack! Gilbert and the little Bulbasaur wind up trapped by the Primeape at the edge of a cliff, but Ash's Bulbasaur jumps in to protect them. It hoists Gilbert and the little Bulbasaur to safety, and then scares off the Primeape.
Back at the lab, with everything back to normal, Gilbert decides the Kanto starter Pokémon aren't so bad after all. He decides to stick with the little Bulbasaur. He's learned a lot from the example set by Ash's Bulbasaur, and he even thanks it as he heads off on his own Pokémon journey!
==Episode plot==
The Pokémon of Prof. Oak's lab are enjoying the day. Kingler watches the Marill dancing, causing it to become dazed and pinch Phanpy's tail by accident. Phanpy is startled and uses Roll Out, rolling off. Bulbasaur tries to stop Phanpy, who hits Totodile by accident. Totodile lands close to Snorlax. Snorlax, asleep, changes its pose, nearly crushing Totodile, who is pulled out by Bulbasaur. Snorlax, asleep, is lowering itself down, nearly crushing Cyndaquil, who tries to escape. Cyndaquil jumps off a cliff and Snorlax falls down. The impact causes Cyndaquil to be launched into air, who uses Flamethrower. The Tauros are startled and make a stampede. Inside the lab, Tracey carries some books and notices Professor Oak has not eaten his breakfast. Oak starts eating, but is advised by Tracey to slow down. Tracey also reminds Oak to make a check up on the starting Pokémon, since a new trainer is coming by to choose one of them for his journey.
The bell rings, so Tracey goes to open it, while Oak reads the trainer is actually the mayor's son. Tracey opens the door and greets Ash's mom before being hugged by Muk. Delia wonders if Tracey needs a hand, since Muk is hugging him quite tightly. Oak examines Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle, seeing they are in good shape. Delia arrives with the herbs and is reminded the mayor's son will come soon. Suddenly, the ground starts shaking, as the Tauros crash into the building. The starter Pokémon are startled and run off, while Ash's Bulbasaur comes too late to warn them. The mayor's son arrives, surprised what happened here. Delia wants to meet him, but the kid sits in Oak's chair and asks if they have a Torchic, Mudkip or Treecko, since he is not fond of Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle. The kid claims they are lame (annoying the Bulbasaur in the room), asking if they have a Vigoroth, since one trainer from Hoenn passed by. Tracey claims to the kid, Gilbert, that's not how things work.
Oak reminds Gilbert the Pokémon ran away and he cannot choose any of them yet. Gilbert laughs, thinking he could have a Pikachu, remembering there was a trainer who started with one. Delia sees he is talking about Ash, though Pikachu was chosen in special circumstances. Gilbert is annoyed, but thinks of going with Raichu, its evolved form. Tracey is angry and claims raising the Pokémon is part of going through the journey. Oak stops Tracey and sends him with Delia, while Oak goes with Gilbert to find the missing Pokémon. Before leaving, Oak gives Tracey the Poké Balls to call the Pokémon into. In addition, an old lady, Masae, greets Oak and shows the issue of Pokémon Monthly magazine. Oak replies he has no time for that, for he has to seek the missing Pokémon with Gilbert. Masae, however, goes to tell this story to everyone. As they climb the mountain, Gilbert is displeased in Oak, since the Masae will tell everyone what happened - which she does, through the speakers.
Delia and Tracey search and find Charmander, who is curious about Magikarp by the river. Charmander falls in, so Tracey immediately swims to Charmander and holds him. Delia's Mr. Mime uses Psychic, bringing Charmander and Tracey back to the coast. Tracey is pleased and calls Charmander back. Oak, Gilbert and Ash's Bulbasaur are walking on the mountain, making Gilbert afraid, since they are close to falling down. Oak claims Gilbert will face much more dangerous obstacles, but Gilbert is certain he will have his Pokémon to protect him. Oak asks Gilbert does he have the right attitude, advising to just quit. Gilbert thinks he is right and is about to leave, but hears the Squirtle, hanging from a tree, close to a cliff. Gilbert wonders what to do, but reminds himself he just quit. Gilbert leaves, but steps on a rock, which crushes beneath his foot. Gilbert falls down, but is held by Bulbasaur's vines and pulled back up. Squirtle also falls down, but Oak manages to grab it. However, Oak loses balance at the edge of the mountain, but is held by Bulbasaur, who saves Professor Oak.
Oak and Gilbert watch Squirtle, who is afraid to come out. Oak explains Gilbert they have to let Squirtle know there is no danger around, considering it has no experience of the world. Bulbasaur tries to get Squirtle out of its shell, so Gilbert impersonates Professor Oak. Oak and Bulbasaur are unamused, so Gilbert makes grimasses, managing to get Squirtle out of the shell. Squirtle jumps to Gilbert, starting to like him. Oak and Gilbert meet up with Delia and Tracey, but neither side had found the missing Bulbasaur. Suddenly, Oak is called to the town's station. Masae reports Bulbasaur has been spotted in many places, like the garden, or as someone's collection, even at the vegetable stand, but they have not been able to caught it yet. The phone rings and Masae is told Bulbasaur has been spotted, being chased by Mankey. The group finds a bunch of Primeape instead, who are quite angry, as well as Bulbasaur, on the tree.
Gilbert thinks of using Ash's Bulbasaur to defeat Primeape, but is told Bulbasaur would be overwhelmed. Oak tries to talk the Primeape down, but makes them even angrier. Mimey uses Psychic, bringing Bulbasaur to them. Gilbert is pleased, but accidentally sneezes. This startles Mimey, who loses focus, causing Bulbasaur to land on a Primeape and outraging them all. The Primeape are about to use Thrash, so the group is chased off. Everyone goes to the left path, but Gilbert gets held by a Primeape and by mistake, takes the right path, along with the missing Bulbasaur. Gilbert and Bulbasaur stand at the edge of a cliff. Seeing there is no way out, Gilbert prepares himself for what is to come. However, Ash's Bulbasaur arrives and hits the Primeape with Vine Whip, then raises Gilbert and Bulbasaur across, to a different cliff. The Primeape attack Bulbasaur, who launches Solar Beam, showing off its power and causing the Primeape to run off in terror. Gilbert is astounded, while holding the missing Bulbasaur.
At the lab, Gilbert sets off, having chosen Bulbasaur as his starter Pokémon. Oak is glad to see Gilbert has gained courage. Gilbert bids farewell, thanking Ash's Bulbasaur for assistance and goes off with his own Bulbasaur.
==Debuts==
===Character===
*Gilbert
*Masae
==Trivia==
*The title is a pun on the saying "journey to the finish line".
*Professor Oak reads the title episode.
===Dub differences===
*The opening shot of Professor Oak's Lab (just only appearance of Ash's Heracross) is deleted on the dubbed version.
==Gallery==
Category:Pokémon Chronicles episodes
Category:Episodes focusing on Tracey
Category:Episodes focusing on Professor Oak
Category:Episodes written by Aya Matsui
Category:Episodes storyboarded and directed by Yumi Kamakura
Category:Episodes animated by Takayuki Shimura
Category:Episodes focusing on Delia