On a fresh day in the Kanto region, Satoshi is invited by Professor Yukinari Ookido to attend Professor Sakuragi's laboratory inauguration in Vermillion City. While delivering the welcome address, Professor Sakuragi receives a notification of a possibly rare Pokémon sighting at Vermillion City"s harbor, prompting Satoshi and the other trainers to sprint toward the waterfront in search of the enigmatic creature. At the docks, they encounter Lugia—a Legendary Pokémon—engaged in battle with other trainers.
Observing the opponents" strategies, Satoshi commands Pikachu to unleash a Thunderbolt on Lugia. Unperturbed, Lugia retreats, yet before it disappears Satoshi boldly mounts its back. To his astonishment, another boy named Gou also leaps onto Lugia"s spine. Together they ride as the legendary Pokémon carries them on an extraordinary voyage across the sea. When Lugia finally places them back on land, Satoshi and Gou say goodbye to the creature and head back to Sakuragi Institute.
Admiring Gou"s discoveries and Satoshi"s perceptiveness from the encounter, Professor Sakuragi invites the pair to become his new research collaborators. Thus begins their expedition, traveling through numerous regions to encounter fresh Pokémon—including those capable of Gigantamaxing!
