Ash and Go find out that there has a Ho-Oh sighting in Ecruteak city in the Johto region. Ash and Go head straight to Ecruteak city to find Ho-Oh.

When Ash and Go arrive, they spit a Pokèmon that resembles Ho-Oh; however they find out that it is fake.

They find out that a local boy disguised one of his Pokèmon as Ho-Oh so his Grandfather can see the Pokèmon. The boys plan ends up failing so instead he hopes to find the real Ho-oh for his Grandfather.