Dialga Zone

The group arrives in Gringy City where everything is dark and gloomy. A Magnemite follows Pikachu everywhere ever since it caught a peculiar illness, but it's the Grimer and Muk that are causing trouble in a local Power Plant. Ash captures Muk, but sends it to Professor Oak because of the smell leaking out of Ash's Poké Ball.

To make a father go home to his daughter, Ash enters a fighting tournament with his Primeape. After winning, the man promises to make Primeape stronger so, Ash gives it away.

Team Rocket plans a scheme to steal many Pokémon by opening a barber shop. Ash and his friends meet Susie, a famous Pokémon breeder. At the end, Brock gains a Vulpix when Susie tells him to look after it as she goes off to learn more about Pokémon breeding.

Ash has won his fifth badge and is still behind his rival, Gary. Meanwhile, Ash and his friends arrive at a town where many of the town's children are disappearing. Ash and his friends found the culprit which was Hypno. Drowzee manages to change all the children and Pokémon back to normal. Misty effortlessly captures a Psyduck she does not want.

When Ash reaches the Celadon Gym, he is kicked out. He soon discovers that it is only for people who love perfume. So, with the help of Team Rocket, Ash sneaks into the Gym disguised as a girl. In the Gym, his disguise is ruined by Misty, Brock and Pikachu. During the battle, Team Rocket interrupts and sets the Gym on fire. After rescuing Gloom, Ash is presented with the Rainbow Badge.

Ash is on his way towards Celadon City, and encounters a Mankey. The Mankey starts chasing him. Later on, the Mankey steals Ash's hat. Ash tries to get it back and fails. Team Rocket arrive to get Pikachu and when Mankey walks by, James kicks it away and it evolves into Primeape. They run away from it. After remembering the words Prof. Oak said, Ash captures it.

Ash and his friends go back to Saffron City ready to try again for the Marsh Badge in the Gym. Ash asks Haunter for help to defeat Sabrina and Haunter agrees. However, Haunter disappears on Ash during the match and Brock and Misty get turned into dolls, scaring Ash out of his wits. During the next match, Haunter suddenly appears in front of Sabrina while Kadabra and Pikachu are battling. Sabrina and her Kadabra become unable to battle after being sent into peals of laughter by Haunter, giving Ash the victory.

On their way to Lavender Town, the woods suddenly become foggy. The group quarrels for a bit and arrives at the ghost tower. Team Rocket encounters the ghost Pokémon while setting a trap for Ash and his friends, and end up getting frightened by the ghost Pokémon. The gang hear screaming from the tower and Ash and his friends are afraid to go in. Haunter turns Ash and Pikachu into ghosts. They learn that it was a Gastly, Haunter and Gengar looking for playmates. After having fun with Ash, Haunter decides to follow Ash as his new Pokémon. Info: After the September 11th attacks, this episode was banned on certain TV networks due to the title.

Ash and his friends finally arrived at Saffron City. Ash has found the Saffron Gym, but is warned by a strange man not to go in. Ash goes in anyway to discover a strange training facility. He battles Sabrina who has two personalities; that of an evil trainer, and that of a little girl. Transported into a toy box set, the group is rescued by the strange man who gives Ash a tip that he may be able to beat Sabrina with a ghost Pokémon from Lavender Town.

As the group continues on their way, they notice a flock of Butterfree out over the ocean. Brock informs Ash that it is the mating season for all of the Butterfree. Ash decides to release his Butterfree so that it can mate. However, Team Rocket has plans to steal all the Butterfree.

The boat that Ash and his friends were in lands at a small town. This town is celebrating Obon. Brock and James both see a girl standing by the sea who disappears, and while Brock falls for this mirage girl, Ash, Misty and Team Rocket have a different plan. They try to stop Brock and James and suddenly, the maiden reveals herself as Gastly, a ghost Pokémon. It is revealed that the maiden actually exists as a ghost and is still waiting for the one she loves to return. When Ash battles the Gastly with Squirtle/Bulbasaur, Gastly turns into Venustoise.

Stuck in Porta Vista because they missed the boat, Ash and friends sit around waiting for the next boat and witness a great explosion. They later discover that it is a group of Tentacool that is attacking the boats. Ash and his friends manage to appease the Tentacool and continue on their journey.