Pokémon 4: The Movie (2002) Plot Summary & Timeline

As the day progresses, Pikachu finds himself perched atop a towering metropolitan skyscraper alongside his friends, who are left to the care of their trainers as they prepare for a mysterious surprise. During this time, he crosses paths with the Pichu Brothers, who require rescuing when one of them precariously balances on the edge of a nearby building. Unfortunately, the moment of their reunion is short-lived, as a cunning group of Murkrow chase Pikachu off a flagpole. In his plight, he seeks assistance from a trio of Hoppip to navigate the gap, accidentally sending a window-cleaning Meowth hurtling into a billboard.

The Pichu Brothers quickly join forces with Pikachu, determined to make it back to their friends. However, their journey takes a series of unexpected twists and turns throughout the city, leading to an exhilarating adventure at the Pichu Brothers’ playground. Along the way, they narrowly escape the fury of a fierce Houndour. Yet, their encounter isn’t over as they face him again, leading to a high-stakes chase that threatens the very existence of the playground. In the end, Pikachu, along with the Pichu Brothers, Houndour, and their eclectic group of friends, successfully save the day. Realizing it’s time to reunite with his trainers, particularly Ash, Pikachu embarks on a daring finale. The trio ingeniously uses a tire to propel themselves towards their destination, sending Meowth comically flying yet again, just in time for an exhilarating celebration commemorating the first anniversary of Ash and Pikachu’s partnership.

In a quaint town called Greenfield, esteemed researcher Professor Spencer Hale embarks on an intriguing investigation into the mystical Unown, accompanied by his dedicated assistant Skyler. Their explorations lead them to ancient ruins packed with secrets related to these enigmatic beings. However, when Hale mysteriously disappears amidst their discoveries, his anxious daughter Molly is left behind, her own mother having vanished some time before. Driven by a desperate need for answers, Molly uncovers a set of tablets inscribed with Unown imagery. As she pieces together the letters, she inadvertently summons the very creatures she seeks to understand.

The Unown, in tune with Molly’s innermost wishes, begin to wield their otherworldly powers, transforming her manor into a mesmerizing crystal palace that expands through the town, effectively isolating her from reality. In a manifestation of her yearning for her father’s return, a spectral Entei appears, prompting intervention from various individuals seeking to unravel the Unown’s hold. Notable figures like Professor Oak and Delia Ketchum, Ash’s mother, join forces to assist Molly in regaining control over her life and restoring balance to the town.

As Ash and his friends arrive in Greenfield, they encounter a fellow trainer named Lisa, who chooses to join their quest to rescue Molly. Their arrival coincides with Entei’s menacing plan to abduct Delia, responding to Molly’s desire for maternal guidance. Under the enigmatic influence of Entei, Delia becomes convinced that she is indeed Molly’s mother. With determination, Ash, Misty, Brock, and their Pokémon gear up for an audacious rescue mission to save Delia, relying on Lisa’s PokéGear device for communication with Professor Oak and Skyler.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket makes an ill-fated attempt to infiltrate the mansion, only to be thwarted by Entei’s overwhelming powers. As they seek refuge within the labyrinthine estate, Molly watches Ash’s Bulbasaur and Chikorita showcase their talents on television, which sends her into a daydream where she imagines herself as a Pokémon trainer. This reverie briefly breaks when Delia, now released from Entei’s grasp, snaps back to reality upon spotting Ash on TV. However, Entei swiftly conjures a dream version of an adult Molly, whisking her away to combat Brock and subsequently Misty.

In this surreal confrontation, Molly initially faces off against Brock, discovering that her imagined Pokémon possess superior strength. A more serene underwater battle occurs when she duels Misty. Amid this chaos, Ash tracks down Molly and Delia, desperately calling upon Entei to release his mother. Yet, the powerful Pokémon remains steadfast, effortlessly defeating Totodile and Cyndaquil before turning its attention toward Ash and Pikachu.

In a dramatic turn of events, Charizard, witnessing the crisis unfold in Charicific Valley, swoops in to rescue Ash and Pikachu from impending peril. As Entei engages Charizard in an intense clash, Molly awakens to the consequences of her wishes and intervenes to halt the conflict. Ash and his companions persuade her to embrace their cause, revealing Entei’s true purpose as a surrogate father, created by the Unown for that specific role.

Just when it looks like they might escape, the Unown lose control of their newfound powers, threatening to trap them within the mansion forever. A desperate group, including Ash, Pikachu, Charizard, Misty, Togepi, Brock, Delia, Molly, and even Team Rocket, make a frantic dash for freedom, converging in the hall where the Unown are located. Though their steadfast efforts prove futile against the forcefield encasing the Unown, Entei joins forces with Pikachu and Charizard, combining their strengths to shatter the barrier, all with Molly’s encouragement.

In a final act of selflessness, Entei sacrifices itself, restoring harmony to the world and enabling the Unown to return to their realm and undoing the chaos they have caused. With the dust settling, Hale is returned to the ruins—his original disappearance site. As the group emerges into the open, Oak, Skyler, and Lisa unite with Ash’s companions to form a formidable alliance. Meanwhile, Team Rocket, thwarted by law enforcement stationed outside, scatter to regroup and promise that they shall not be overly disheartened in their quest for Pokémon capture. In this climactic moment, Charizard and Lisa bid farewell to Ash as Molly rejoices in reuniting with her father and long-lost mother, providing a touching closure to her narrative. The stage is now set for more thrilling adventures ahead, as new alliances are formed and challenges await on the horizon.