Timeline of events in Pokémon the Series: Gold and Silver

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

In Pokémon the Series: Gold and Silver, Ash Ketchum continues his quest to become a Pokémon Master by journeying through the Johto region alongside his friends Misty and Brock. Starting from New Bark Town, he aims to collect eight Johto League Gym Badges to qualify for the Johto League Conference. Along the way, Ash catches new Pokémon, encounters Legendary Pokémon like Suicune and Lugia, and faces both old and new rivals.

Timeline

The order of many of these events is approximated and debatable.

Johto

Episode	Details
Don't Touch That 'dile	Ash and his friends see a Suicune. Ash and his friends arrive at New Bark Town and meet Professor Elm. James's Victreebel is revealed to know Vine Whip. Ash registers for the Johto League. Ash learns that the first Johto League Gym is in Violet City and decides to head there.
The Double Trouble Header	Ash and his friends meet Casey, a rookie Trainer. Casey catches a Rattata. Ash's Pikachu is revealed to know Tackle.
A Sappy Ending	Ash catches a Heracross.
Roll On, Pokémon!	Ash and Brock attempt to catch a Donphan, but stop upon finding out it already has an owner. Ash's Heracross is revealed to know Tackle, Horn Attack, and Endure. Misty's Poliwag is revealed to know Bubble. James's Victreebel is revealed to know Wrap.
Illusion Confusion!	Ash and his friends encounter Gary again.
Flower Power	James's Victreebel is revealed to know Swords Dance and Take Down and uses Wrap for the first time.
Snubbull Snobbery	Madame Muchmoney's Snubbull starts following Team Rocket.
The Chikorita Rescue	Ash catches a Chikorita.
Once in a Blue Moon	Ash and his friends visit Cherrygrove City. Misty tries to catch a Quagsire twice, but is stopped both times.
The Whistle Stop	Jessie's Lickitung is revealed to know Supersonic and Stomp.
Ignorance is Blissey	Jessie is revealed to have studied at Pokémon Nurse School. Jessie's Lickitung is revealed to know Slam.
A Bout With Sprout	Ash and his friends arrive in Violet City.
Fighting Flyer with Fire!	Ash and his friends arrive at the Violet Gym and meet Falkner, the Violet City Gym Leader. Ash defeats Falkner in a Gym battle and earns his first Johto League Badge, the Zephyr Badge.
For Crying Out Loud	Ash learns that the next Gym is located in Azalea Town, and decides to head there. Misty attempts to capture a Marill, but fails due to her already being owned.
Charizard's Burning Ambitions	Ash leaves his Charizard to train at the Charicific Valley.
Chikorita's Big Upset	Ash's Chikorita is revealed to know Tackle.
Wired for Battle!	Ash's Heracross is revealed to know Leer, Take Down, and Fury Attack.
Good 'Quil Hunting	Ash catches a Cyndaquil.
A Shadow of a Drought	Ash and his friends arrive in Azalea Town and meet Kurt.
Going Apricorn!	Ash, Misty, and Brock each receive a Fast Ball from Kurt. Brock uses his Fast Ball to catch a Pineco. Ash and his friends obtain two Blue Apricorns and a Black Apricorn and give them to Kurt to be turned into special Poké Balls. Ash leaves the GS Ball with Kurt.
Gettin' The Bugs Out	Ash and his friends arrive at the Azalea Gym and meet the local Gym Leader, Bugsy. Ash's Chikorita is revealed to know Sweet Scent. Ash defeats Bugsy in a Gym battle and earns the Hive Badge. Ash and Misty both receive a Lure Ball and Brock receives a Heavy Ball from Kurt. Ash and his friends leave Azalea Town.
A Farfetch'd Tale	Ash learns that there is a Gym in Goldenrod City.
Tricks of the Trade	Ash sends his Heracross to Professor Oak's lab in exchange for one of his Tauros. James meets the Magikarp salesman again. Jessie accidentally trades her Lickitung for Benny's Wobbuffet.
The Fire-ring Squad	Ash sends Tauros back to Professor Oak's Laboratory and agrees to let Heracross stay there as well. Team Wartortle and the Squirtle Squad make a reappearance. Brock meets Captain Aidan for the first time. Ash's Squirtle rejoins the Squirtle Squad.
No Big Woop!	Jessie attempts to catch a Wooper, but fails, as it already has a Trainer.
Hour of the Houndour	Ash's Pikachu is revealed to know Leer.
The Totodile Duel	Both Ash and Misty throw their Lure Balls simultaneously at a wild Totodile, but only one catches it. Brock referees a match to determine who will get the Pokémon. Misty uses her Togepi in a battle for the first time. Misty's Togepi is revealed to know Charm. Misty's Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl and learns Body Slam. Ash wins the match and receives Totodile.
Hot Matches!	Brock's Vulpix is revealed to know Agility. Ash's Cyndaquil learns to ignite the flame on its back at will. Ash's Cyndaquil is revealed to know Agility and Smokescreen.
Fowl Play!	Ash catches a Shiny Noctowl.
Forest Grumps	James's Victreebel uses Vine Whip for the first time.
Pikachu & Pichu	Ash and his friends celebrate the first-year anniversary of Ash's Pokémon journey.
Spell of the Unown: Entei	Brock's Zubat is revealed to know Wing Attack. Misty's Staryu is revealed to know Rapid Spin. Ash's Charizard briefly returns from the Charicific Valley.
The Fortune Hunters	Butch and Cassidy appear again. Butch is revealed to own a Primeape. James's Victreebel is revealed to know Stun Spore. Ash's Totodile is revealed to know Tackle.
A Goldenrod Opportunity	Ash and his friends arrive at Goldenrod City and meet the local Gym Leader, Whitney. Ash has a Gym battle with Whitney and loses.
A Dairy Tale Ending	Ash has an unofficial rematch with Whitney and wins. Despite the rematch having been unofficial, Whitney chooses to reward Ash with the Plain Badge.
Air Time!	Ash and his friends meet DJ Mary. Ash and his friends head out to Ecruteak City for Ash's fourth Johto Gym battle.
The Bug Stops Here	Ash and his friends encounter Casey again. Ash and Casey enter a Bug-Catching Contest, receiving a Park Ball each to be used during the contest. Ash fails to catch a Weedle for the second time as it's caught by Casey instead. She is later forced to release it under the contest rules. Casey's Chikorita evolves into a Bayleef. Ash catches a Beedrill and wins the Bug-Catching Contest, earning him a Sun Stone. Ash gives his Beedrill to Casey.
Carrying On!	Ash's Noctowl is revealed to know Whirlwind.
Hassle in the Castle	Brock's Zubat evolves into Golbat.
A Hot Water Battle	Jessie's Wobbuffet is revealed to know Bide.
Hook, Line, and Stinker	Ash and Misty each catch a Seaking as part of the Seaking Catching Competition, but under contest rules do not keep them. Misty's Poliwhirl is revealed to know Mega Punch. Misty wins the Seaking Catching Competition.
Beauty and the Breeder	Ash and his friends meet up with Suzie again. Brock returns Vulpix to Suzie. Brock and Suzie enter the Pokémon Beauty Contest, but it is not revealed whether they win or lose.
Power Play	Ash and his friends meet up with Gary again. Gary's Eevee is revealed to have evolved into an Umbreon.
Imitation Confrontation	Duplica returns with a new Ditto named Mini-Dit. Ash's Totodile is revealed to know Scary Face via Mini-Dit's Transform. Jessie's Wobbuffet is revealed to know Mirror Coat via Mini-Dit's Transform.
Trouble With Snubbull	The Snubbull that has been following Team Rocket around evolves into Granbull. Granbull returns to her owner, Madame Muchmoney.
Ariados, Amigos	Ash and his friends meet up with Aya again. Brock's Pineco is revealed to know Spikes.
Wings 'N' Things	Misty's Poliwhirl is revealed to know Tackle.
The Grass Route	Ash and James enter the Grass Tournament but lose to Ephraim. Ash's Bulbasaur is revealed to know Take Down.
Delibird's Dilemma	Ash's Noctowl is revealed to know Foresight.
Mewtwo Returns	Ash, his friends, and Team Rocket encounter Mewtwo again. Ash and his friends meet Giovanni for the first time. Mewtwo erases itself from Giovanni and his underlings' memories.
A Ghost of a Chance	Ash and his friends arrive in Ecruteak City and meet Morty, the Ecruteak Gym Leader. James obtains an Itemfinder. Ash's Noctowl is revealed to know Tackle. Ash finds out that the mysterious Pokémon he saw on his first day as a Pokémon Trainer was Ho-Oh.
From Ghost to Ghost	Ash's Cyndaquil is revealed to know Quick Attack and Swift. Ash's Noctowl learns Confusion. Ash defeats Morty in a Gym battle and earns the Fog Badge.
Trouble's Brewing	Ash and his friends meet the Kimono Sisters, and Misty strikes up a friendship with Sakura, the youngest sister. Jessie's Arbok is revealed to know Headbutt. Sakura considers joining Ash's group, but eventually decides not to. Ash and his friends decide to travel to Olivine City for Ash's next Gym battle.
The Light Fantastic	Misty attempts to catch a Remoraid, but fails.
Moving Pictures	Ash and his friends meet up with Todd Snap, who is looking to get a photo of Articuno. Ash uses his Sun Stone to evolve a wild Sunkern into Sunflora. Todd joins the group again.
Freeze Frame	Todd gets a photo of Articuno, and later parts ways with Ash and his friends. Jessie's Wobbuffet is commanded to use Mirror Coat for the first time.
The Ring Masters	Ash temporarily sends Noctowl to Professor Oak's Laboratory in exchange for his Snorlax. Ash participates in the Pokémon Sumo Conference and wins, earning a King's Rock as a reward.
Control Freak	Brock's Geodude is revealed to know Dig. Brock's Golbat evolves into Crobat.
Current Events!	Ash's Chikorita evolves into Bayleef.
Turning Over A New Bayleef	Ash's Bayleef learns Body Slam.
Doin' What Comes Natu-rally	James meets the Magikarp salesman again.
The Kecleon Caper	Misty's Poliwhirl is revealed to know Headbutt.
Celebi: The Voice of the Forest	Professor Oak is revealed to have owned a Charmeleon.
Fight for the Light	Ash and his friends arrive in Olivine City and meet Jasmine, the Olivine Gym Leader. Ash tries to challenge Jasmine to a Gym battle, but she refuses, as she needs to care for a sick Ampharos. The group decides to head for Cianwood City to pick up medicine for Ampharos, and Ash learns that there is a Gym there.
Machoke, Machoke Man	Ash and his friends arrive at Cianwood City. Ash and his friends pick up the medicine for Jasmine's Ampharos as agreed and send it back to Olivine City. Ash and his friends meet the local Gym Leader, Chuck. Ash defeats Chuck in a Gym battle and earns the Storm Badge. Ash and his friends learn about the Whirl Islands and decide to visit them on their way back to Olivine City.
Around the Whirlpool	Ash and his friends start their journey through the Whirl Islands. Ash and his friends see the shadow of a mysterious Pokémon and meet up with Professor Elm. Professor Elm is revealed to own a Corsola. Misty decides to try and catch a Corsola. Ash and Misty learn about the Whirl Cup and decide to compete in it.
Takin' It on the Chinchou	Misty tries to catch a Chinchou, but fails due to it already having a Trainer.
A Corsola Caper	Ash's Totodile is revealed to know Headbutt. Misty uses her Lure Ball to catch a Corsola.
Mantine Overboard!	Ash and his friends meet Luka.
Octillery The Outcast!	Ash and Misty enter the Whirl Cup and make it through the preliminaries.
Dueling Heroes	Ash sends Bayleef to Professor Oak's Laboratory in exchange for his Kingler. Ash defeats Christopher and advances to the second round. Misty defeats Harrison and advances to the second round. Ash and Misty learn that they are set to battle each other in the second round.
The Perfect Match!	Misty defeats Ash in the second round and advances to the third round. Ash sends Kingler back to Professor Oak's Laboratory and returns Bayleef to his team. Misty is defeated by Trinity in the third round. Trinity is defeated by an unknown Trainer in the final round of the Whirl Cup.
Hi Ho Silver... Away!	Ash and his friends encounter Sparky, foreshadowing Ritchie's return.
The Mystery is History!	Ash and his friends meet up with Ritchie and Luka again. The group encounters a Lugia and its child, the latter of which is later captured by Team Rocket. Ritchie meets Butch and Cassidy for the first time. Butch is revealed to own a Hitmontop, while Cassidy is revealed to own a Houndour. Ritchie is revealed to have obtained a Pupitar nicknamed "Cruise".
A Parent Trapped!	Ritchie's Charmander, Zippo, is revealed to have evolved into a Charmeleon. Ash, his friends, and the parent Lugia are captured by Team Rocket.
A Promise is a Promise	Ash and his friends escape from Team Rocket and free the two Lugia. Ritchie leaves the group.
Throwing in the Noctowl!	Ash and his friends leave the Whirl Islands and return to Olivine City.
Nerves of Steelix	Ash has a Gym battle with Jasmine and wins, earning the Mineral Badge. Ash decides to head to Mahogany Town via Ecruteak City for his next Gym battle.
Bulbasaur... the Ambassador!	Ash sends Bulbasaur to Professor Oak's Laboratory to act as a peacemaker between Grass and Water Pokémon. Ash's Bulbasaur learns Dig. Ash agrees to let Bulbasaur stay at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
Espeon Not Included!	Ash and his friends return to Ecruteak City on their way to Mahogany Town and meet Sakura and the other Kimono Sisters again. Sakura's Eevee is revealed to have evolved into an Espeon. Sakura leaves on her own journey, heading towards Violet City.
For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll	Ash and his friends meet up with Morty again and also meet Eusine for the first time. Ash learns the legend of Ho-Oh and the three Legendary beasts. Ash sees Suicune again. Ash and his friends leave Ecruteak City and head on to Mahogany Town.
Extreme Pokémon!	Ash meets up with Gary again, and they both enter an Extreme Pokémon Race. Ash wins the Extreme Pokémon Race, marking his first victory over Gary. Ash receives an Egg from Mr. Shellby's Pokémon Day Care Center.
Hatching a Plan!	Ash's Egg hatches into a Phanpy.
Dues and Don'ts	Jessie and James renew their membership with Team Rocket. A Delibird sent from Team Rocket begins to follow Jessie and James. Ash's Phanpy is revealed to know Take Down.
Talkin' 'Bout an Evolution	Ash and his friends encounter the Red Gyarados at the Lake of Rage, which is a result of Team Rocket's latest scheme of forcing Pokémon to evolve. Ash and his friends meet Lance, the Indigo League Champion.
Rage of Innocence	Ash and his friends meet Pryce. Lance catches the Red Gyarados. Team Rocket's scheme of forcing Pokémon to evolve is foiled.
As Cold as Pryce!	Ash and his friends arrive in Mahogany Town. Ash and his friends meet Pryce again and learn that he is the Mahogany Gym Leader. Ash has an unofficial battle with Pryce and loses. Ash and his friends help Pryce find his lost Piloswine. Pryce accepts Ash's request for a Gym battle.
Nice Pryce Baby	Ash has a Gym battle with Pryce and Pryce forfeits, earning Ash the Glacier Badge. Ash and his friends head to Blackthorn City for Ash's final Johto Gym battle.
Hocus Pokémon	Ash is transformed into a Pikachu.
As Clear As Crystal	Ash reverts to human form after his transformation.
Will the Real Oak Please Stand Up?	Professor Oak catches a Pidgey.
Wish Upon a Star Shape	Ash and his friends encounter Ken and Mary from the Pokémon Mystery Club. Ash and his friends re-encounter the group of extraterrestrial Clefairy.
Outrageous Fortunes	Misty's Poliwhirl uses Ash's King's Rock to evolve into Politoed and learns Swagger.
One Trick Phony!	Ash's Totodile uses Scary Face for the first time.
Beauty is Skin Deep	Ash and his friends reach Blackthorn City and meet Clair, the local Gym Leader. Ash challenges Clair to a Gym battle. Clair's Dratini evolves into Dragonair.
Fangs for Nothin'	Ash begins his Gym battle against Clair, but it is interrupted due to Team Rocket stealing the Dragon Fang. A Wynaut begins to follow Team Rocket.
Great Bowls of Fire	Ash's Charizard returns from the Charicific Valley. Ash and his friends help Clair to recover the stolen Dragon Fang from Team Rocket.
Better Eight Than Never	Ash temporarily returns his Snorlax to his team to help in his battle with Clair. Ash's Snorlax is revealed to have learned Ice Punch. Ash beats Clair in a rematch and earns the Rising Badge, qualifying him for the Johto League. Ash's Charizard returns to the Charicific Valley.
Why? Wynaut!	Ash learns that the Johto League Silver Conference will take place in Silver Town at the foot of Mt. Silver in three months. Ash and his friends head to New Bark Town in order for Ash to register for the Silver Conference.
Just Add Water	Ash's Totodile is revealed to know Slash. Misty's Goldeen is revealed to know Supersonic and Horn Drill. Misty's Psyduck is revealed to know Psychic.
Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias	Misty's Corsola is revealed to know Bubble Beam.
Lapras of Luxury	Ash is briefly reunited with his Lapras. Brock meets Ash's Lapras for the first time. Ash is asked to deliver a Pokémon Egg to Professor Elm. Brock's Crobat is revealed to know Sonic Boom. Ash's Lapras becomes the leader of its herd.
Hatch Me If You Can	Ash's Egg hatches into a Larvitar. Ash registers for the Silver Conference. Ash agrees to take Larvitar to Mt. Silver.
Entei at Your Own Risk	Ash's Phanpy is revealed to know Defense Curl. Brock's Onix is revealed to know Sandstorm. Brock's Pineco evolves into a Forretress. Ash and his friends see an Entei.
A Crowning Achievement	Brock's Forretress is revealed to know Rapid Spin.
Here's Lookin' at You, Elekid!	Ash and his friends meet up with Casey again. Casey's Bayleef is revealed to have evolved into a Meganium. James is forced to trade his Victreebel for the Magikarp salesman's Weepinbell. James's Weepinbell evolves into a new Victreebel. Jessie blasts away James's new Victreebel. The Magikarp salesman releases his Victreebel. James's two Victreebel meet and fall in love. Casey catches an Elekid. Casey is revealed to have earned four Badges.
You're a Star, Larvitar!	Larvitar is revealed to know Bite and Dig. Jessie's Arbok is revealed to know Take Down.
Address Unown!	An Unown shows Ash and his friends Larvitar's memories. Larvitar finally gets over its shyness towards Brock and Misty.
Mother Of All Battles!	Ash and his friends arrive at Mt. Silver. Ash leaves Larvitar with its mother at Ranger Mason's preserve
Pop Goes The Sneasel!	Ash meets Harrison, his newest rival and a Trainer from the Hoenn region. Ash and his friends learn about the Hoenn region. Harrison catches a Sneasel.
A Claim to Flame!	Ash and his friends are revealed to have arrived in Silver Town. Gary is revealed to have earned eight Johto League Badges. Ash defeats Salvador and two other Trainers in the screening rounds, qualifying for the Silver Conference. Gary and Harrison also clear the screening rounds and qualify for the conference. Ash and Gary help to deliver the Ho-Oh flame to the stadium to allow the conference to begin.
Love, Pokémon Style!	Ash has all of the Pokémon he has been keeping at Professor Oak's Laboratory sent to him for the Silver Conference. Ash's Kingler is injured in an accident and is unable to compete in the tournament. Ash's Squirtle returns to his team from the Squirtle Squad. Ash's Phanpy is revealed to know Earthquake. Ash defeats Macy in his first preliminary battle.
Tie One On!	Macy defeats Jackson in their preliminary battle. Jackson is revealed to own an Azumarill, a Shiny Magneton, a Poliwhirl, a Quagsire, and a Golduck. Macy is revealed to own a Starmie. Harrison is revealed to own a Miltank. Ash and Jackson's preliminary battle ends in a draw, meaning Ash has advanced to the Victory Tournament. Gary and Harrison also advance to the Victory Tournament. Ash learns that he will battle Gary in the first round of the Victory Tournament.
The Ties That Bind	Gary is revealed to have obtained a Magmar, an Alakazam, a Houndoom, a Pinsir, a Fearow, a Kingdra, and a Skarmory. Ash's Charizard returns from the Charicific Valley. Ash and Gary receive a Pokédex upgrade from Professor Oak. Harrison wins his first round Full Battle, advancing to the quarterfinals. Ash begins his first round Full Battle against Gary. Ash's Tauros is revealed to know Horn Attack. Ash's Heracross is revealed to know Megahorn. Gary's first partner Pokémon is revealed to have been a Squirtle, which has since fully evolved into a Blastoise.
Can't Beat the Heat!	Ash's Muk is revealed to know Sludge Bomb. Gary is revealed to have obtained a Scizor and a Golem. Ash wins his Full Battle against Gary, marking his first victory over his rival in a traditional Pokémon battle and advancing him to the quarterfinals. Ash and Gary end their rivalry and become friends again, just as they were when they were little. Team Rocket plans to pay off their debts towards Delibird. Ash begins his Full Battle against Harrison in the quarterfinals. Harrison is revealed to own a Kecleon.
Playing with Fire!	Ash and Harrison continue their Full Battle in the quarterfinals. Harrison is revealed to own a Hypno and a Steelix. Ash's Bayleef is revealed to know Headbutt.
Johto Photo Finish	Ash loses his quarterfinals Full Battle with Harrison, placing him in the Top 8. Ash sends Squirtle and Charizard back to the Squirtle Squad and the Charicific Valley, respectively. Harrison loses to Jon Dickson in the semifinals. Harrison tells Ash about Professor Birch and suggests he should go to Hoenn. Gary decides to become a Pokémon Researcher. Jon Dickson wins the Silver Conference. The Silver Conference ends. Ash, Harrison, and Gary head their separate ways. Harrison heads to Kanto to collect the region's Badges and compete in its League Conference. Gary heads back to Pallet Town. Ash, Misty, and Brock head back to Pallet Town via Viridian City.
Gotta Catch Ya Later!	Daisy, Violet, and Lily give their Cerulean Gym Leader status to Misty. Misty gets her bike back, now mended. Ash and his friends meet the Invincible Pokémon Brothers. Ash, Brock, and Misty go their separate ways. Ash returns to Pallet Town and briefly meets Gary as he leaves for a new journey. Ash sees Ho-Oh again. Ash leaves all of his Pokémon, except Pikachu, at Professor Oak's Laboratory. Ash receives new clothes from his mother and a new Pokédex from Professor Oak. Ash heads for Littleroot Town in Hoenn.
Hoenn Alone!	Ash continues his journey towards Hoenn and changes into his new clothes. Pikachu becomes ill.

Related articles

• Timeline of events in Pokémon the Series
  • The Beginning
  • Ruby and Sapphire
  • Diamond and Pearl
  • Black & White
  • XY
  • Sun & Moon
  • Journeys
• Timeline of events in Pokémon Horizons: The Series

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