The Vermilion Lighthouse

After giving away their boarding passes, the girls leave the port in a hurry to remove their disguises and reveal their true identities: Jessie and James! The pair head to a nearby lighthouse where Meowth is getting in touch with their Boss.

Disappointed at their constant failures, the Boss wants to ensure that Team Rocket gave away all the free boarding passes to unsuspecting trainers, so they can steal their Pokémon once the ship sails.

Team Rocket's hideout in Vermilion Harbor.

Season 1 - Episode 15

"Battle Aboard the St. Anne"

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Bill's Lighthouse in a Kanto Region Map

Bill's lighthouse is located in Cerulean Cape, northeast Kanto. To get here, one must exit Cerulean City via Route 24 to the North, and then Route 25 to the East.

It's unclear how Ash, Misty, and Brock ended up here, when they were heading to Vermilion City. Thinking they were taking a shortcut, got lost soon after leaving Cerulean City.

The Lighthouse

A gargantuan creature approaches the cape singing a haunting melody, and Bill tries to make contact with it. Jumping at the chance to catch a rare Pokémon, Team Rocket attacks it with heavy fire.

Unharmed, but upset, the creature damages the lighthouse and sends Team Rocket blasting off. Then, despite Bill's pleading to stay, the mysterious Pokémon disappears in the horizon.

The encounter inspires everyone: Bill, to continue his research and stand watch; Ash, Brock, and Misty, to catch, raise, and play with more Pokémon; even Team Rocket aspires to be more evil.

The lighthouse has been severely damaged.

Season 1 - Episode 13

"Mystery at the Lighthouse"

Was the creature an enormous Dragonite?

The Lighthouse

It turns out that Professor Oak is friends with the lighthouse owner. Bill is a Pokémon researcher, and he believes there are well over 150 different species around the planet.

Bill is particularly interested in a wandering Pokémon that he believes is the largest in existence. He's never seen it, but is sure that one night it will come from across the ocean to visit him. As luck would have it, tonight is that night.

The foggy night is perfect for mysterious encounters!

Season 1 - Episode 13

"Mystery at the Lighthouse"

The Lighthouse

It takes our heroes the rest of the afternoon and most of the night to finally make it to the distant lighthouse. They ring the bell to ask for shelter and a phone, and in exchange Brock will cook for the host. The immense doors open in response.

Inside, the lighthouse is like a medieval throne room, but as promised, there is a phone, and Ash can contact Professor Oak in Pallet Town. Krabby arrived okay and has not been cooked for dinner.

The majestic interior of the lighthouse.

Season 1 - Episode 13

"Mystery at the Lighthouse"

The Lighthouse

Proving only that he still has much to learn, Misty and Brock explain to Ash that trainers can only carry six Pokémon at a time, and any additional catches are teleported to the place where the trainer got their Pokédex.

Not too confident that his Krabby will be safe with the always-hungry Professor Oak, Ash wants to find a phone to call and ensure his Pokémon is okay. Almost as an answer, Pikachu sees a Lighthouse on a clifftop in a distant cape.

A lighthouse in the far end of the beach.

Season 1 - Episode 13

"Mystery at the Lighthouse"