In the land of Hoenn, a girl named May travels to Prof. Birch's lab. She is attacked by a wild ghost pokemon called Duskull. Scared, but unharmed, she travels on her bike to the lab in Littleroot Town.Ash also travels to Littleroot town and signs up for the Hoenn League. Ash arrives in town to discover that Littleroot doesn't have a pokemon center! Ash rushes to the Profesor's lab and talks to one of the assistants. The assistant alerts Prof. Birch and the he assists him.Meanwhile, May arrives at the lab to find that the Prof. isn't there. The assistants tell her that he drove into the woods and she rides after them.In the woods, the prof. tumbles down a cliff and lands on a Pochyena. He is suddenly surrounded by a group of the pokemon and he looks like he is in trouble. Suddenly, May arrives and the prof. tells her to take one of the pokemon out of his bag and use it to battle the Pochyena. She ends up throwing Mudkip. Birch tells Mudkip to do a water gun attack.As May and Prof.Birch find Ash. As the group is about to leave, Team Rocket arrive on the scene in a giant robot. They reintroduce themselves to Ash and let May and the prof. know who they are. Jessie still doesn't care about this mission and James and Meowth do the dirty work as they launch an arm that begins draining Pikachu's energy. However, it accidentely HEALS Pikachu and he uses a super-powered Thunderbolt.Back at the lab, May picks the fire pokemon, Torchic. Prof. Birch gives her a pokedex and she qiuetly says how she really doesn't like Pokemon. May's damaged bike due to Pikachu's thunderbolt makes her angry but she decides to ask Ash if she can go with him on his journey. He says OK and they head over to Oladale town as Ash's journey in Hoenn begins.

Ash is ready to head to Oldale Town to sign up for the Hoenn League. May has offered to show Ash the way in exchange for his company to Oldale Town - which is only fair, seeing as Pikachu destroyed May's bike when it was sick! In Oldale Town, May visits her first Pokémon Center and is amazed with all of its services, and by the ancient ruins next door. Things quickly turn sour when Team Magma, a mysterious band of criminals, shut down the electricity at the Pokémon Center and kidnap Professor Alden in order to invade the ruins. With no electricity, all of the Pokémon are in danger - including May's Torchic. It's up to Ash and May to save the day - and in doing so they uncover mysterious ancient Pokémon.

Ash and May have made it all the way to Petalburg City – the first city with a gym. Ash is very excited to take on the gym leader. May seems a little uneasy – perhaps it's because she hasn't yet told Ash that her father, Norman, is the gym leader in Petalburg! When Ash first gets to the gym, he meets May's little brother, Max, who is pretending to be the gym leader. Max knows a lot about Pokémon and can't wait until he's old enough to become a trainer. Once Ash finally meets Norman, he learns that he will need three Pokémon in order to battle at the gym. He only has Pikachu with him. When Norman agrees to an unofficial battle, Ash encounters his first Vigoroth. Ash realizes that he will have to train hard in order to win a badge in Petalburg City. After a quick scuffle with Team Rocket, Ash and May are ready to hit the road again. Max has decided to tag along, too!

Ash, May, and Max are strolling through the Petalburg forest on hopes of seeing new pokemon and adventures. May suggest that they should stop for a quick lunch break but Max on the otherhand think that they should continue to find pokemon in the forest. May and Max begin to pull Ash back and forth to see what he should do: eat lunch, or find new pokemon, Ash on the otherhand get extremely annoyed and decides that they can take a qiuck lunch break and later find pokemon. Ash, Max, May, and Pikachu start to have a lunch but soon find out that none of them have food on them to eat, and all of pikachu's pokemon food container was empty leaving them at a starving situation. Ash then tells May and Max about is friend Brock and how he always cooks meals for him and Misty and how he helps him out during their travels together. While in the forest a flock of vicious Taillow begin to attack Ash and his friends but when all hope is lost an old friend come to the rescue

Brock is ready to travel again and has joined up with Ash, May and Max as the journey on towards Rustboro City. In the forest they encounter a giant Zigzagoon, which they soon realize is actually a trainer in a Zigzagoon suit. Nicolai the Knickerbocker is a trainer that believes in becoming one with Pokémon in order to understand them. While battling, he wears a costume of whichever Pokémon he is using. When not dressed as a Pokémon, he wears knickers in order to be closer to nature. Nicolai is very excited to learn that May is the daughter of the Petalburg Gym leader. He challenges her to a battle and quickly defeats her. Nicolai taunts her for losing, saying that he doesn't think her father will be difficult to beat since she is such an inexperienced trainer. Brock, Ash and May shrug off the defeat and continue on their way, but Max is furious. Without telling anyone, he goes off in search of Nicholai to defend his father's honor.

Our heroes are headed for Rustboro City, where Ash hopes to have his first real gym battle in Hoenn. Team Rocket is making their way along the same path when they stumble upon a cage full of Ekans. Jessie is delighted that their work has been done for them and orders Arbok to attack. Arbok can't manage to attack the helpless Ekans, however, because it remembers when it used to be an Ekans. Jessie is sympathetic. James soon makes a similar concession when they find a cage of Koffing that Wheezing will not hurt. The cages belong to a poacher named Rico who uses his Fearrow and Pupitar to chase off Team Rocket. Team Rocket returns to the scene, now hoping to free the Ekans and Koffing. Things turn dangerous when Rico's Pupitar evolves into a Tyrannitar, and Team Rocket is forced to make the ultimate sacrifice for the Pokémon that they love.

Deep in the woods, Ash spies a Treecko. He's wanted to catch a Treecko since he first saw one at Professor Birch's laboratory. He follows the Treecko to an enormous tree that seems to be dying. There, Ash's Treecko has an argument with all of the other Treecko. It seems that Ash's Treecko is very attached to the tree and wants to stay with it, while the rest of the clan wants to move on to a new tree. Ash watches as the lone Treecko struggles to save the tree. He and Pikachu feel badly for the Treecko and try to help. In the end, however, the tree dies and falls. Now that its home is gone, Treecko is ready to make a new home with Ash. He and Pikachu battle, and Ash catches his Treecko!

Ash's newly caught Treecko may be a bit standoff-ish, but the little green Pokémon is quite a fighter. When Team Rocket sees Treecko knocked down and hurt by a Seviper, they decide that they must have that Seviper. Jessie is very impressed with its "sneaky, snakey ways." Meanwhile, Treecko escapes from the Pokémon Center where Ash brought it to recover. When the gang finds Treecko, it is practicing its attack moves. Again and again, Treecko jumps from the top of a waterfall and tries to break a rock at the bottom with its tail. Ash is very impressed with the rigor of its training. All of Treecko's hard work appears to have paid off - when Team Rocket attacks and catches Pikachu with the help of their new Seviper, Treecko is able to save the day.

Ash, May, Brock and Max have arrived at a small city on their way to Rustboro City. Brock decides to stock up on supplies, while Max is eager to go hunting for city dwelling Pokémon. Max soon stumbles upon a very frightened Shroomish who is hiding in an alleyway. Ash, Max, Pikachu and their new Shroomish friend head off to find a Pokémon Center. On their way they pass by a deserted mansion that is being torn down. There, the gang learns that not long ago most of the city was forest and that many, many Shroomish lived in the area. They also learn that strange things are going on at the mansion, and many people believe that it's haunted. A little investigation reveals that the mansion is actually inhabited by all of the Shroomish who used to live in the forest. When the forest was destroyed, they had nowhere else to go. All of the strange noises and smells that the construction workers were hearing were actually the Shroomish! The grandson of the owner decides to tear down the mansion as planned, but to convert all of that land into a forest for the Shroomish.

En route to Rustboro City, Ash and the gang pass by an unofficial gym boasting the world's most powerful Pokémon. Even though he can't win a badge there, Ash is intrigued and decides to battle the trainer named Anthony and this mysterious Pokémon. The world's most powerful Pokémon turns out to be a Pelipper. Pelipper attacks Ash's Treecko with a Vine Whip. It then attacks Taillow with Flame Thrower. Finally, it attacks Pikachu with a Thunder Attack. Ash and crew are amazed – Pelipper should only have Water and Flying type attacks, but somehow it knows Grass, Fire and Electric type attacks! That's not physically possible! Team Rocket decides that they must have this awesome Pokémon, so they, too, challenge Anthony. This time, however, Anthony panics and the truth comes out. Pelipper has been hiding Poké Balls inside its large beak. Rather than being disappointed, Team Rocket decides that this is an excellent opportunity. They blackmail Anthony and use his Pelipper for a new challenge. This time, trainers will lose their Pokémon if they lose to Pelipper. Team Rocket's latest hoax is very successful at first, and they con many trainers out of their Pokémon, but they soon get carried away. They fill Pelipper's beak up with so many Poké Balls that when Pelipper does a Water Gun attack, all of the Poké Balls spill out!!!

As our heroes travel on towards Rustboro City, they stumble into a forest filled with many different kinds of Pokémon. It turns out that the area is actually a Pokémon preserve, and it's looked after by a girl named Katrina. Katrina takes care of all of the Pokémon in the area and helps to nurse them back to health when they are sick. Max takes a particular liking to her Poochyena and he's determined to see it evolve before they leave the preserve. All of the Poochyena's companions who were born at the same time have already evolved, but this one Poochyena just doesn't seem ready. Max decides to coach the Pokémon and leads it out into the forest. Team Rocket has followed Max and they decide to play a trick on him to take the Poochyena. They claim to be researchers working on an evolution machine. Max is too smart too be fooled, but that doesn't stop Team Rocket from taking Poochyena. Luckily, Katrina and Ash show up just in time. This time Poochyena gets in on the action, too. That last battle turns out to be just what this little Poochyena needs – it evolves right before Max's eyes!

Ash, Pikachu, Brock, May and Max decide to cool off in a picturesque lake en route to Rustboro City. But they're not the only one's splashing around! The lake is actually home to a whole flock of Lotad. The Lotad seem to be having fun with their new friends, but a little girl named Natalie thinks that Ash and crew are out of line. She brings them back to the flower shop which her two older sisters run. There, Ash and the gang learn all about berries and the effects that different berries have on Pokémon. Brock promptly falls in love with the two older sisters, making little Natalie very jealous. In fact, Natalie isn't the only one smitten with Brock – a quirky little Lotad seems to have taken a liking to him as well. Natalie decides to win Brock's affection by finding a Sitrus Berry and she wanders off into the woods. She finds one, but a Beedrill wants it, too! Luckily, Brock arrives in time to save her from the Beedrill. Meanwhile, Team Rocket has decided to catch all the Lotad in the lake and it's up to Brock's quirky Lotad friend and Pikachu to save the day.

Rustboro City is on the horizon, but they're not there yet. Ash, Brock, Max and May have just arrived at a Contest Hall. Janet and Chaz, two experienced Pokémon Coordinators, teach the gang all about Contests. Pokémon Contests are different from battles in that it's not the strength of the attack that matters, but the beauty of its execution. Winners get ribbons instead of badges. The gang decides that they want to try entering today's contest, but they're too late. All is not lost, however, because Chaz offers to teach Pikachu the Iron Tail attack. And Janet lets May assist her with during the contest. During the contest, Chaz and Janet both perform really well and make it to the final round. In the end, Janet's Beautifly steals the show! May is really impressed and she's determined to one day enter a contest herself.

As the gang continues to make their way towards Rustboro City, May spots a Wurmple that she's dying to catch – but she's not the only one with her eye on the cute little bug Pokémon. Jessie wants it, too. May ventures off on her own to catch her Wurmple, but Team Rocket follows and gives her trouble. Luckily, she gets some help from a trainer named Franklin. Meanwhile, Ash and Pikachu are practicing Pikachu's Iron Tail attack. A trainer named Franklin sees them practicing and challenges them to a battle. Franklin teaches Ash about double battles, which are common in the Hoenn region. With help from her new friend Franklin, May catches the Wurmple she wanted. When she and Franklin go to meet up with the gang, everyone is really surprised. The Franklins are actually identical twins – Forrest and Forrester Franklin! All is not lost for Team Rocket, however. Jessie manages to snag a Wurmple of her own before Team Rocket blasts off at the end of the episode.

Rustboro City at last! Now that Ash and friends have arrived in Rustboro City, they're taking a moment to sightsee. They bump into a schoolteacher, Roxanne, and her class on a class trip. The kids are about Max's age and one of them, Kenny, is afraid of Pokémon. Roxanne invites the gang back to see the Pokémon Trainer's School. Ash is anxious to get to his gym battle, but Roxanne persuades him to wait. As it turns out, Ash would have had to wait anyway. Roxanne is the gym leader, too! The Pokémon Trainer's School is pretty big and has all kinds of different classes. May is especially interested in a class on Pokémon Contests. Max decides to attend the beginners' class that Kenny is in. He's in the middle of battling the class show-off, Tommy, when the principal comes running in to tell them that the school's Poké Balls have all been stolen. Team Rocket strikes again! Kenny steps in and saves the day by telling Max which attacks will work best, and Tommy cooperates, too. When they work together, the kids are able to defeat Team Rocket and save the Poké Balls. Just to be safe, Roxanne's Geodude sends Team Rocket blasting off again. Now that Ash has seen Roxanne and her Geodude in action, he's really ready for his gym battle!

Pikachu is getting pretty good at its Iron Tail attack and that's a good thing. Ash is finally about to take on Roxanne, the leader of the Rustboro City Gym. He's going to need all the help he can get to take down her Geodude. May, on the other hand, isn't really looking forward to the battle. In fact, she announces that she's not going to be a trainer anymore. She wants to become a Pokémon Coordinator and compete in contests instead. When the battle begins, it doesn't look like Ash has much of a chance. Roxanne's Geodude knocks out Treecko pretty quickly. It's all up to Pikachu. Electric attacks aren't going to help much against a strong Rock Type – but Ash is very clever and Pikachu not only brings down Geodude, but it wipes out Nosepass with its newly perfected Iron Tail Attack. Ash defeats Roxanne and receives his Stone Badge.

Now that he's received a badge from the Rustboro City Gym, Ash is ready to leave Rustboro and head off to Dewford Island for his next gym battle. May has other ideas. She is thrilled to finally be in a big city and wants to do some shopping. Brock agrees, so they decide to stay. Meanwhile, Max is in a state of panic. He accidentally spilled his drink into May's PokéNav and it looks broken. He gets a tip from a strange old man to take the PokéNav to the Devon Corporation building. The man says that since they manufacture the device, they might be able to fix it. Desperate to avoid May's wrath, Max decides to go for it. Once inside, he learns that the strange old man is actually the president of Devon Corp! Max is really excited by all of the interesting projects the company is working on – but it soon becomes clear that there's in an intruder in the building who is after some of those experiments. Ash and crew arrive just in time to help Officer Jenny catch the intruder, but it's actually Team Rocket who end up saving the day!

Ash enjoyed meeting the president of Devon Corp. and learning a little about Team Aqua, a dangerous group of evildoers, but now he really wants to get to Dewford Island. Unfortunately, May's map is about 10 years old and they end up in a deserted part of town that used to be the port. From there they can see the new port, but it looks very far away. May goes off to look for someone with a boat and runs into Briney, a retired sailor, and his Wingull, Peeko. Briney offers to take the gang over to Dewford Island, but when she returns with Ash and the gang, Briney seems very angry and says that he has no idea what she's talking about. It's like he doesn't even recognize her. Meanwhile, Officer Jenny swings by and she tells them that Team Aqua is planning to meet up somewhere in the area and to be careful. Brock and May realize quickly that Briney might actually be in trouble – and they're right. A Team Aqua thug – the same one who tried to steal from Devon Corp. - has kidnapped his Peeko and taken his boat. Luckily Briney has another boat that he kept hidden from the thug. They chase after the Team Aqua agent and catch up to him just a few seconds too late. He is able to meet up with a Team Aqua submarine and get away. Luckily, they manage to rescue Peeko and tomorrow they'll head out for Dewford Island.

As Mr. Briney takes the gang to the closest Island they are attacked by a gang of Sharpedo and are forced to stay on a deserted island. They must convince the Sharpedo that they do not want to harm them and also protect those same pokemon from Team Rocket.

Ash battles in the Dewford Gym but cannot match Gym Leader Brawley and his fighting spirit.

After James tricked Ash and friends to fish in an area so that Team Rocket could commit their usual schemes, the two sides had a battle until May sent out her Wurmple. Jessie sent out her Wurmple to show that it's better and then they had a riduculous argument, which resulted in the battle starting again, in which Meowth bumped into the two Wurmples.May and Jessie both take one and soon after, Pikachu blasted them off again, but then May finds out that the Wurmple she took isn't her Wurmple!

Team Rocket digs another hole, this time in Granite Cave, to capture "The Twerps" but it only succeeds in separating everyone (Including Team Rocket)! How will they get out of the cave?

Ash chases down a mysterious Pokemon that keeps assaulting people on Dewford's beach.

After Corphish is injured following a Team Rocket encounter, Ash must rush his newest Pokemon to the Dewford Center-which is surrounded by a school of hungry Carvanha.

While in training, Ash and the others stumble upon a lake full of Mudkip under the watchful eye of an old man who is the protector of the Mudkip in the lake.

While walking through Granite Cave, the gang stumble upon Loudred in the middle of a long sleep. When it is accidentally woken, the gang are forced to run and find themselves separated from Pikachu, Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip, Silcoon, Lotad and Corphish. While the worried trainers search, the Pokemon begin to fight among themselves until they find themselves attacked by a group of Nuzleaf.

Ash and his friends accidentally stumble upon another Pokemon Trainer's Secret Base. Meanwhile, Team Aqua and Team Magma both attempt to take over the Secret Base and wind up in battle with one another.

May and Jessie both blissfully await the day when they shall receive a Beautifly. However, Jessie is unaware that she will never have one, because her Wurmple became a Cascoon instead of a Silcoon.

Corphish's bad attitude showing no signs of improving so Ash plans to humble it a bit by putting a good scare into it deep inside an abandoned mine. Little does he know, however, Jessie, James, and Meowth have already infiltrated the mine.

Ash and friends get caught in a hurricane and must take a treacherous mountain path to reach safety. Also, Ash meets up with an apprentice of Gym Leader Brawley, who is in preparation for the upcoming re-match.

Ash's long-awaited rematch with Brawly of the Dewford Gym finally arrives. For the location, Brawly selects a secret sparring area he has hidden on a nearby island. Above and beyond this gym leader's ability and powerful Pokemon, the battlefield itself presents many unique challenges, most notably a huge geyser that erupts into the air without warning.

Ash and friends foil a Team Rocket kidnapping scheme on the high seas, but are then left high and dry themselves when Team Rocket's boat breaks down. Drifting with the tide, they eventually come to rest against an abandoned ship. On board, they meet one of the ship's original passengers, who has returned to search for the Marshtomp he was separated from when the ship first ran aground.

As May prepares for the upcoming Pokémon Contest, a passing retired Coordinator compliments her on her battling skills. On hearing that she is preparing for her first Contest, he invites her and her friends to his house where he keeps some items that could prove helpful to May's performance.

Impressed at how well they had raised their own Pokemon, Nurse Joy enlists Ash and Max to babysit the Treecko, Mudkip, and Torchic awaiting a Pokemon trainer just about to begin her first journey. The Torchic proves to be the most rambunctious of the group, and when Ash sends several of his Pokemon to gently coax it into obedience, he inadvertently causes the troublesome chick to evolve into a Combusken.

May and the others arrive in Slateport City, where she can compete in her first contest. Also compeating is May's new rival, Drew and a young man named Robert who uses Milotic.

Having at long last completed her Pokemon Contest, May suggests a day of recreation in Slateport City before moving on. While she and Brock shop in the city's famous market district, Ash and Max check out a local oceanic museum. What should have been a day of leisure, however, turns into one battle after another as both Team Rocket and Team Magma storm the very same museum in search of a rare rock discovered on the ocean floor.

While cutting through a mountain pass, Ash and friends decide to stop into the local Pokemon Center for directions. Imagine their surprise when they discover it vacated, with no sign of Nurse Joy. The plot thickens when they take it upon themselves to investigate and discover security camera footage of a Shriftry immobilizing Joy with Stun Spore before carrying her off. Their only clue as to Joy's location is a mysterious entry on Shriftry in the Pokedex, indicating that these Pokemon inhabit only trees that are over 1000 years old.

When Ash and friends get lost in a dark and foggy mountain pass, the first people they meet are Jessie, James, and Meowth of Team Rocket, fresh from their latest heist. Ash and friends manage to recover the stone the trio had stolen from a nearby lighthouse, but only in time to be themselves mistaken for the thieves.

The gang finally reach Mauville City, however Ash's Gym battle is forced to wait as the gang see an advert for a Pokemon Trick House, offering anyone who makes it through wih a lifetime supply of Pokéblocks. May is eager to win the prize, so the gang decide to enter, and meet up with a girl and her Whismur. But when Jigglypuff decides to perform her song, things may get complicated for the gang, and Team Rocket too.

Ash's third Gym battle with the electric master Wattson is full of surprises when, after an encounter with a robotic Raikou, Pikachu wins the match alone with super-charged Thunderbolts. However Ash's joy at receving the badge disappears when Pikachu turns ill, and a depressed Wattson leaves Mauville City convinced he is a weak Gym Leader.

The gang begins on a journey to Fallabor Town, so May can compete in another Contest. In a field on rare Watmel Berries, Ash battles with the protecter of the Watmels to strengthen his Treeko and make it learn new abilities.

While resting next to Lake May, the gang spots a Volbeat and an Illumise practising for an upcoming dance contest. However a practice session goes wrong and Illumise suddenly vanishes.

While walking through a mountainous area, the gang encounter a Bagon, who is attempting to realize its life long dream to fly in the skies.

Misty arrives in Hoenn, however her reunion with Ash and Brock is cut short when an evil Colonel kidnaps Togepi with the help of Team Rocket.

Cornered by Colonel Hanson and Team Rocket, the gang are amazed when they see Togepi's amazing power in defending them. After escaping, Togepi takes the gang to a dimension populated by unhappy Togepi which has caused the land to grow weak. However when Misty's Togepi is captured by Hanson in order for him to rule the Mirage Island, it leads to a confrontation during which Togepi undergoes the ultimate transformation...

After collapsing in a hot area, the gang find themselves in the company of the Winstrate family, all of whom are avid Pokemon trainers whose son Vito has left to become the Hoenn champion. Soon the whole gang are challenged to battle the various family members. Meanwhile Vito unwittingly joins forces with Team Rocket in their plans to capture Pikachu...

While training for the Pokemon contest in Fallabor Town, May encounters a Skitty, a Pokemon known for it's cuteness. While determined to add Skitty to her team, May notices that Skitty is upset at having lost it's scent and listening to Brock's advice, takes it to a Pokemon Aromatherapy center. However it isn't long until Team Rocket have their eye on Skitty, while Meowth falls in love with the cute Pokemon.

Still on the way to Fallabor Town, Ash and friends encounter their friend Nicolai, who now has a Zangoose in his team. However Team Rocket attack during the battle, but the plan to capture Pikachu is forgotten when Zangoose and Seviper begin a fierce battle stemming from animosity between the two species. When Zangoose is injured, Nicolai tends to his injured Pokemon, while Jessie turns Pokemon trainer to Seviper for the inevitable rematch...

Stopping at a Pokemon Center on their way to Fallabor Town, the gang is surprised when a kid enters who looks like an older version of Max (they even have the same name). While the two boys don't get on at first, they are forced to work together to stop Team Rocket from catching Surskit, a Bug/Water Pokémon which can glide across water.

The gang have finally arrived in Fallabor Town so May can compete in her next contest. May is excited about the prospect of her Beautifly winning the competition and a ribbon, while all Brock wants to do is meet the female coordinators. However the gang encounter Grace, another competitor in the contest who is going to use her Medicham, known for it's fighting and psychic abilities. Things become even more intense when May's rival Drew turns up with his Roselia announcing he is to enter as well...

The contest begins and May is more determined to win than ever. With Ash, Brock and Max cheering her on, May and Beautifly soon find themselves progressing to the battle rounds against Drew and his Roselia, Grace and her Medicham and a disguised (and cheating!) Jessie from Team Rocket and her Dustox.

With the Contest in Fallabor Town over, the gang are now headed to Lavaridge Town so Ash can battle for his next Gym Badge. However they soon re-encounter Kazuchi, who taught his Plusle and Minun the Helping Hand attack and as a result was invited to join a group of cheerleaders. Soon the gang are in the company of said cheerleaders and thier leader, but it seems this group aren't fair when it comes to Pokemon battles...

After escaping a group of angry Slugma, Ash and Co. find themselves in a meadow populated by Numel. After befriending the meadow owner, the gang stay at her cabin, and May learns that her rebellious Skitty knows Assist, which allows it to borrow an attack from another Pokemon in May's team. However Skitty's new ability is put to the test when Team Rocket arrive to steal the Numel.

Needing to pass Mt. Chimney to reach Lavaridge Town, Ash and friends begin their journey over the mountain in a cable car. However Team Magma arrive in order to steal a meterorite that recently landed there from the local Professor. When Team Aqua also arrive to get the meteorite and disable the in-transit cable car, Ash manages to escape and decides to try and save the meterorite from the duelling rivals.

Ash and Co. reach Lavaridge Town where they meet Flannery, the Gym Leader. Having just inherited the Gym from her Grandfather days earlier and determined to prove her abilities, she is just as eager as Ash to battle, but the Gym's battlefield is full of holes and therefore cannot be used. Deciding to help, the gang are soon hard at work filling the holes, however Team Rocket are standing by ready to snatch one of Flannery's Pokemon, a Torkoal that they can give to Giovanni!

Ash and Flannery begin their long-awaited Gym battle, with Ash beginning with Corphish and Flannery starting with her newly-evolved Magcargo. With Flannery desperate to prove herself as a worthy Gym Leader, Ash has to hope that his Pokemon are strong enough to defeat her.

With their adventures in Lavaridge Town over, the gang decide to head back through Mauville City to Petalburg City so Ash can re-challenge Norman to a proper Gym battle. Ash, rememebering Pikachu being beaten up by Vigaroth, is eager to get back to prove himself as a worthy trainer. Before they get too far, however, the gang encounter a group of Spinda, a Pokemon known for having unique markings on their face. Soon they are helping a girl find a Spinda which has a heart-shaped mark on its face, and Team Rocket are looking for the same one to use as bait for Pikachu...

Continuing towards Mauville City, the gang enter Steel Valley, which is home for Steel Pokemon. Before they get too far, however, the gang encounter a Torkoal under attack by Magnemite and a Skarmory. Having wandered into the valley due to it's love of rocky landscapes, the Pokemon that live there have tried to get it to leave. Realizing the pain it's gone through Ash becomes determined to help Torkoal stand up to the other Pokemon. However, unknown to the gang, a Steelix also lives in the valley...

Having reached Mauville City, the gang decide to visit Wattson at his Gym. However, when neither he or his assistant are there, the group go exploring and come across a carnival run by Team Rocket. Just as Team Rocket succeed in stealing the gang's Pokemon, Wattson appears and uses Electrike to fight Jessie, James and Meowth into blasting off, which causes the Pokemon to evolve into Manectric. With them out of the way, Ash challenges Wattson to a battle against his newly-captured Torkoal...

The gang are now headed to Verdanturf Town so May can compete in her next contest, however it isn't long before they fall into one of Team Rocket's classic pitfall traps. While the group are able to send TR blasting off, May's Skitty accidentally breathes in a lot of Ash's Torkoal's smoke and becomes unwell. With no Pokémon Center around, the gang ends up in a Pokémon Aromatherapy Shop, run by a legendary Pokémon Coordinator known for winning many contests with her Skitty, which has since evolved into a Delcatty. While she starts teaching May about contests, Team Rocket plan to steal both Skitty and Delcatty for Giovanni.

While preparing to enter the Verdanturf Contest with Skitty, May and the others are amazed when they encounter her rival Drew who announces that he is not going to enter as his Roselia is injured after a battle with a Dusclops belonging to a masked trainer. Soon the gang encounter the Masked Co-ordinator and Ash begins a battle with Pikachu Vs. Dusclops, but when a woman appears looking for her lost son, the Masked Co-ordinator flees, and the gang and drawn into the mystery of his identity...

May is preparing for her third contest, and is nervous about entering, despite her Skitty's confidence. Meanwhile Kimimaro (the Phantom Co-ordinator from the previous ep) escapes from his mother and shows up to enter as well with his Dusclops, while Jessie from Team Rocket enters with her Dustox again. When the contest starts, while Kimimaro and Jessie are able to get off good opening appeals, May's Skitty has trouble with it's newly-learnt Blizzard and ends up getting a lower score than the two, making her think she won't progress to the battle rounds. Meanwhile, Kimimaro's mother has discovered where he is and is on her way to the contest to remove her son...

The gang are now back on the road to the Petalburg City Gym so Ash can battle Norman for his fifth badge, but before long the gang get thirsty and decide to look for water. During the search, Brock's Lotad accidentally falls down a well. After being recovered, Lotad surprises everyone by evolving into Lombre. Soon, Lombre is approached by a woman requiring Lombre's help chasing a Solrock the gang encontered earlier out of her town so the recent drought will end.

While walking through a forest, the gang come across a large amount of debris caused by a recent storm trapping an injured Swablu. Determined to help the Pokemon return to it's flock, May begins to care for the flying Pokemon and develops a bond with it. Meanwhile Team Rocket notice Swablu and immediately begin working out how to capture it...

While enjoying a picnic in the harbour area of a city, the gang are curious when some of their food goes missing, but this is overshadowed when a state-of-emergency is declared. The gang learn that the city has been besieged by a large group of Gulpin, a Pokemon known for it's large appetite. The gang agree to help get rid of the group, not realizing it's going to lead to a super-sized battle between one of the Gulpin and Ash's Treecko!

The gang is nearing Petalburg and Ash is excited about his battle with Norman. During a picnic, Ash notices Treecko isn't very happy due to its defeat by a Gulpin. Before Ash can make it feel better, a Loudred rampages through the camp followed by its trainer Guy. While he is able to calm Loudred down, Guy is worried as since it evolved from Whismur, it's become increasingly disobedient. Ash and Guy decide to have a Pokémon battle, Ash using his Treecko and Guy using Loudred. The battle takes an unexpected turn when both Pokémon evolve at the same time. Exploud promptly takes off on another rampage. While everyone looks for it, Team Rocket decides to steal it for Giovanni.

The gang decide to settle down for a picnic, and Ash takes the opportunity to introduce his newly-evolved Grovyle to his other Pokemon. While Taillow and Torkoal are happy to have him on the team, Corphish becomes worried that Ash will now favor Grovyle over the others given it's higher stage, especially when Grovyle manages to get fruit off a tree easily and fend off a Team Rocket attack. However the crisis is interrupted by a Ludicolo and it's bongo-playing trainer, who challenge Ash to a match. Ash decides that, since Corphish looks desperate for a battle, he should let it. However things don't go well and Corphish is easily beaten, which makes it feel worse and causes it runs off. While walking through the forest, Corphish finds the Ludicolo and it's trainer, but when Team Rocket attempt to capture the two, it's up to Corphish to save the day!

The gang have arrived in North Petalburg, a suburb of the main city, and are amazed when they discover that Norman is an idol to everyone who lives there, and May and Max are soon mobbed by Norman fans. While May delightfully shows off her Beautifly and Skitty, Ash also runs into fans of Norman who, after hearing that Ash is planning to challenge the Gym Leader, keep challenging Ash to battle after battle, which exhausts most of his Pokemon and when the crown encourage May to battle him, it leads to a showdown between Ash's Taillow and May's Torchic. Meanwhile, after hearing of Norman's popularity Jesse, James, Meowth and Wobbuffet decide to dress up as Norman, Caroline, May and Max in order to sell autographs and get away with the money...

The gang have finally arrived back in Petalburg City, and while May and Max are reunited with Caroline, Ash encounters Norman in the Pokemon Center where he is deep in conversation with Nurse Joy. Meanwhile, May begins to tell her mother about her journey, but Caroline gets angry when May mentions her Beautifly, and it turns out that Norman and Nurse Joy have been spending a lot of time together. While this is all going on, Ash encounters the Vigoroth that defeated Pikachu, as well as Slakoth and Slaking which also belong to Norman, and naturally, Team Rocket want to get thier hands on them...

Having already won four badges during his adventures in Hoenn, Ash finally starts his long-awaited rematch with Norman, except this time it is an official Gym Battle with a Balance Badge on the line! Ash begins with Pikachu while Norman starts with a fast Slakoth which Pikachu is unable to hit, and after receivng a bit of damage, Ash is forced to change to Torkoal to counter Slakoth's Blizzard attack. With Norman's Vigoroth and Slaking still to come, and Max rooting for his father to win, can Ash defeat the toughest Gym Leader he's faced so far...

Fortree City is the location of the next Gym, so this is the gang's destination, however they soon meet up with Professor Birch, who si on his way to Littleroot Town's harbour where he is to pick up Professor Oak who is visiting Hoenn. Ash and Brock decide to join him while May and Max go to Birch's lab. At the lab May and Max meet up with Birch's assistant who shows them a new batch of starters, and then Professor Oak (who has made his own way to the lab) turns up. Max is overjoyed to meet his idol, and Oak lets him meet a Bulbasaur, Charamnder and Squirtle. However soon Team Rocket turn up and nab all six starters and take them to their Secret Base. With Ash, Brock and Birch still waiting at the narbour, it's up to May, Max and Oak to rescue them!

After starting the long road to Fortree City, Ash and May are challenged to a Tag Battle, which involves two trainers against another two and each trainer using one of their Pokemon. The match is Corphish & Skitty vs. Nidoking & Nidoqueen. However the match doesn't go well, with Corphish and Skitty attacking each other rather than their opponents, leading Ash and May to fall out. They get a chance to settle their rivalry when they encounter Team Rocket, who are also arguing after losing to the same couple. Soon, the match is Ash & James vs. May & Jessie, with both teams determined to win...

While walking through a dark forest, a Skarmory attacks the gang. When Skitty pops out it's Pokeball, May rushes to save it and ends up being carried off by the Steel Bird Pokemon, carrying her over a huge fence and dropping her off in a grassy area. While there, May encounters a Bulbasaur and becomes friends with it, but is soon attacked by other Grass Pokemon whom are extremely distrustful of humans. Meanwhile Ash, Brock and Max appeal to the Forest's protectors to allow them entry to rescue May, and when they are disallowed, the three decide to sneak in and save their friend...

As Ash and friends walk through a city, May decides to let her Bulbasaur out to see life outside of the forest. It tries to take an apple but May tells it not to saying that you have to buy things. Then, it decides to get in the back of a pickup truck full of flowers. Ash and Brock catch the truck and tell the driver to stop. May gets Bulbasaur back and they decide to find a Pokémon Center. When they arrive, Team Rocket is pretending to be mechanics fixing the transporter. After they leave, Ash decides to ask Professor Oak to send his Bulbasaur to meet May's but when the PokéBall arrives, it's empty. Every PokéBall that has come through the transporter since Team Rocket fixed it is empty. Then, the real mechanics arrive. Ash and friends chase Team Rocket and find them due to the trail of PokéBalls James left behind on accident.

While resting by a lake, Ash decides to polish his Badge Case and remembers all the Gym Battles he's so far had in Hoenn, when suddenly a larger than normal Whiscash, a Water-Ground type Pokemon jumps out and eats the case. Determined to get his hard-earned badges back, he dives in but nearly drowns when he is saved by a Fishing Master who has spent years trying to catch the giant Whiscash. Determined to retrieve the badges, Ash and the others start fishing. Meanwhile Team Rocket are also trying to get a hold of the same Whiscash (figuring if they capture it, they will get both a new Pokemon and a bunch of badges) but things go crazy when a Feebas bites onto Jesse's hair...

After becoming separated from his friends in a dense mist, Ash comes across a Baltoy spinning dangerously close to the edge of a cliff. After saving the Pokemon, Ash meets it's trainer Calista who is looking for a fabled treasure that lies nearby. Always eager for an adventure, Ash and Pikachu agree to help, but the quest is interrupted when Team Rocket try to snag Pikachu (as usual). However, a mysterious woman appears and after sending Team Rocket blasting off with her Xatu, explains that she too has a Baltoy which has become trapped in a cavern, and if she helps to release it, then she will show Calista how to find the treasure...

The gang enter Rubello Town, and May is delighted to see that a Pokemon Contest is due to begin the next day. Deciding to enter, May meets up with Drew, who is also entering with his new Masquerain, but Drew is soon surrounded by a lot of female admirers (sounds a bit like Gary) which makes May feel a little jealous. However, the jealously is forgotten when she also gets a group of fans approach her. Savannah, the head of the group, explains that they saw May in the Verdanturf Contest and that she will be entering this contest with her Lairon and Flareon, making May realise she's got a new rival. Deciding to enter Bulbasaur in the contest, May and Savannah have a practice battle when Team Rocket appear. It seems that Jessie has attempted to enter Dustox in the contest, but she can't as she doesn't meet the entry requirement of a Ribbon, so she's gonna steal one instead...

It's Contest Day in Rubello Town and May is as determined as ever to win, and with her victories in Fallabor and Verdanturf Town she is extremely confident. After May uses Beautifly in the Appeal rounds (participants are allowed to use different Pokemon for the Appeal and the Battle Rounds), she easily passes the qualifiers with Drew and Savannah. However, as she prepares for the Battle Rounds against Lairon, Ash warns her that Bulbasaur might not be ready, since it's never actually been in a battle before but May is confident in it's abilities, but is she being a bit overconfident, especially since the winner of the match will face Drew and his Masquerain in the final...

Continuing the trek to Fortree City, Ash and the gang come across a Spoink, a Psychic-Type Pokemon. However, this Spoink is upset after losing the Pearl it keeps on top of it's head. After Spoink tries putting a couple of round Pokemon on it's head (including an Igglybuff and a Voltorb), the Pearl is found, however Team Rocket, working with renewed vigor after Giovanni threatened to replace them, steal the Pearl. After coming across a fair, James is approached by the same Magikarp Salesman who has made his life a misery in the past and offers to trade Feebas for the Pearl. After discovering Feebas evolves into Milotic, the most beautiful of Pokemon, Jessie, James and Meowth eagerly agree. However, when they let their new Feebas have a swim in a nearby river, they discovered the Feebas is just a Magikarp painted with a Feebas colors, meaning they have been swindled yet again (when will they learn?)! After Ash and the others hear what's happened, they realise that, in order to get Spoink's Pearl back, they need to find the Magikarp Salesman before Team Rocket do!

While walking through a mountainous and windy area, Ash and his friends notice a boy training his Swablu to carry rings, however when Swablu gets knocked out of the sky, Ash thinks fast and uses Taillow to save it. The boy, whose name is Shane, explains that he is practicing for the PokeRinger tournament, a competiton where Flying Pokemon have to grab a ring suspended in mid-air and get it back to the finish before it's opponents. Hearing that the registration for contestants is still open, Ash excitedly decides to enter with Taillow while May enters with Beautifly. Also entering is James, with Jessie's Dustox, since he trained to be a PokeRinger as a child and is determined to win without cheating. As the competition starts, Ash is dismayed when he drawn into the same group as last year's champion Volt, an arrogant trainer who uses his Volbeat's electric attacks to win. However, when Taillow is able to win the first round, knocking Volt out, Ash becomes even more determined to win. Meanwhile, James manages to knock May and Beautifly out of the competition, and begins to think he has a chance too!

Alas, it is just another day in the life of Team Rocket, as they make a landing following a recent blast off, except this time they all have Afro-Hairstyles courtesy of Pikachu's Thunderbolt! Whilst arguing amongst themselves whose fault their latest trip through the skies was, they notice a huge mansion... so naturally they decide to rob the joint. Meanwhile Ash and the gang have their own Afro's, but while they continue the road to Fortree City, a rainstorm starts up, and while it puts their hair back to normal, they have to find shelter, and come across the same mansion. After entering May and Max have yet another argument, but when Max goes missing May and the others need to find him, not realising he's made friends with one of the mansion's inhabitants, a friendly Shuppet!

While having a picnic in one of Hoenn's many forests, Ash's Corphish and May's Torchic get into a huge scrap when Corphish, having eaten it's own, decides to take Torchic's food for itself. While the two fight, Team Rocket spot an easy opportunity for food when they see a bunch of Shroomish carrying apples, but when they attempt to steal the apples, a group of the Shroomish suddenly evolve into Breloom and chase Jesse, James and Meowth into Ash's camp, where the grass type Pokemon send everyone blasting off (Ash and friends too!). Upon landing, the group have been separated into five smaller groups containing Ash, Brock, Pikachu and Swellow in one, Jesse and James in another, May and Mudkip in the third, Max and Meowth in the fourth and Corphish and Torchic (who are still angry with each other) in the last. It's up to the groups to ifnd each other before the angry Breloom do!

Nearing Fortree City, Ash and the gang are caught in a sudden snowstorm. When the storm disappears as suddenly as it came, the group discover that it was the work of a Castform, a Unique Pokemon which has the ability to change it's type and form along with the weather. This Castform belongs to the local Weather Research Institute, where the resident scientists study weather conditions. However the gang's tour around the complex is interrupted when Commander Isabel from Team Aqua (whom the group previously encountered on Dewford Island and Mt. Chimney) attacks the Institute attempting to get a hold of the data hoing it will lead her to the location of the legendary Pokemon that Team Aqua have been hoping for and it's up to Ash and Co. to stop the data from falling into such dangerous hands...

The gang have reached Fortree City, and Ash is determined to finally challenge the local Gym Leader. Heading straight for the Gym, Ash is disappointed to learn that Winona, the Gym Leader, is away for the day at Fortree's Feather Carnival, a celebration of Flying Pokemon (which is the type Winona specializes in). Proceeding to the main part of the city, the gang notice the inhabitants unique way of living in treehouses, and also find Winona giving kids rides on her giant Skarmory, and May decides she wants a go too. Meanwhile, Team Rocket encounter the Magikarp Salesman again, where he offers James a chance to buy a Chmiecho, a very unique Pokemon which has soothing tones. James, obviously having forgotten the million other times he's been swindled by this guy, happily accepts, until it turns out to be a Hoppip dressed as a Chimecho (surprise surprise!). However James anger quickly fades when he encounters a genuine Chimecho and makes it his own. With a new Pokemon in their squad, Team Rocket plan to use Chimecho's Heal Bell attack to capture Pikachu...

After the excitement of the Feather Carnival, Ash is more than ready for his sixth Gym Battle. Ash decides to begin with Grovyle, while Winona begins with Altaria, a Flying/Dragon type. Despite the type disadvantage, Grovyle's speed is able to get the better of Altaria's power and is able to defeat it. Winona then decides to send out Pelipper, and Ash recalls Grovyle for some rest and sends out Pikachu, which has a double type advantage. However when Pikachu tries a Thunderbolt, Pelipper is able to channel it into the ground using Steel Wing. After a furious shooting battle, Pikachu and Pelipper knock each other out. Down to her last Pokemon, Winona sends out her Swellow, which is Shiny and therefore has higher stats. With a weakened Grovyle and his own Swellow, can Ash defeat Winona and win a Feather Badge?

Ash is admiring his newly acquired Feather Badge that just recently won and they find out the next gym is in Mossdeep City but decide to stop at Lilycove City on the way. On their way they see a man struggling with a Camerupt that has equipment on it's back Ash and Co. manage to get the Camerupt out of the water and they find out from the man that Camerupt was carrying film equipment for movies.Meanwhile in the bushes Team Rocket plans to steal the movies and the Camerupt and give them to Giovanni...

A meteor falls from the sky the and lands on Earth. The PMC hear this and go out to check the meteor. They build a machine and blast the meteor with a missile to get samples. The meteor starts to glow and a Lunatone comes out of it. They try to catch the Lunatone but it stuns them with its Psychic powers and escapes to a town neary. Meanwhile Ash and Co. have arrived in the same town Lunatone went to. While Team Rocket heard the meteor and are in the bushes thinking to get the meteor and give it to Giovanni...

Ash and Co. are one the way to Lilycove when they notice a sign for a banana garden. Max wants to go in because there are Slaktoh in there. They find the gate to the place locked but go in anyway.W hen they go in they find the place empty. Then they feel shaking on the ground and then it suddenly cracks open.J ust as it cracks open a young man saves them and brings them to the reception office. They find out from the guy that a Snorlax is eating all the bananas and scaring the Slakoth. Then Team Rocket notice the Snorlax so they plan to capture it and bring it to the boss.

Nearing Lilycove City, Ash and the gang soon come across Team Rocket who, as usual, try to capture Pikachu using one of their shock-proof mechas. However, they don't get very far when it starts to sink into the ground and, before long, it explodes, sending Team Rocket blasting off, but the explosion is so large it sends Ash and the others blasting off too (strange, they don't get blasted off at all for years, and then they get blasted off twice within two months...). The groups are separated and when Mewoth lands with Pikachu, he is overjoyed to find Pikachu has amnesia, and starts to tell Pikachu that he is a part of Team Rocket! While the two Pokemon start to look for Jesse and James, Ash, May, Max and Brock start looking for Pikachu. However will they find him before Meowth completely turns him against his friends?

The gang have arrived in Lilycove City, however while it is simply intended to be a quick rest stop quickly turns into an extended stay when May find out that a contest is due to start soon. While walking through the city, Pikachu catches the scent of Pokeblocks and leads the gang to them, where they meet Kanata, another contest entrant who owns the Psychic Pokemon Grumpig. After learning a lot about Berries and how to blend them, May decides that, since both Beautifly and Skitty have already won contests and Bulbasaur isn't quite ready, she should enter Combusken into the Lilycove Contest. Meanwhile, while May is busy, Ash decides to take the opportunity to teach his Swellow Aerial Ace...

The gang finally arrives at Lilycove City.When they sit down to rest May sees a poster for a Pokemon Contest.She finds out they're having it tomorrow and the group starts moving. Pikachu runs off and when they find Pikachu they see him at a berry stand.At the berry stand they see a young girl arguing with a man.Before they get to check it out a guy comes offering free samples of berries.Then they see the young girl strugling with a bag of berries she drops the berries but before they hit the ground her Grumpig lifts up the berries with it's Psychic before they hit the ground.Meanwhile Team Rocket plans to steal Grumpig.

With their stay in Lilycove over, Ash and the gang must now catch a ferry to Mossdeep City so Ash can compete in the next Gym. However, in their hurry the gang accidentally catch the wrong boat and end up on Banba Island instead. Deciding to head into the City to find another way to Mossdeep, the gang enounter Jimmy, an up-and-coming Pokemon Referee who owns an Ivysaur, Charmeleon and Wartortle. Jimmy takes them to the Referee School (they must have a school for everything in Hoenn!) where Ash and Brock have a Double Battle. Afterwards Jimmy explains that he started with a Squirtle, and after catching Ivysaur and Charmeleon, he attempted to be a great battler and win Gym Badges in Kanto, but the only one he won was the Cascade Badge from Cerulean... and that was for just cleaning the place for Misty's sister Daisy! While Ash and the gang try to encourage him, Team Rocket plan on steal Jimmy's Pokemon...

On the way to Mossdeep City, Ash and friends encounter Spoink again. It is floating on a log and a wave knocks it off. They rescue it, but it starts jumping around and the pearl on its head falls into the ocean. After searching the ocean with Mudkip and Corphish, Ash and friends head for a nearby island with the sad Spoink. There, they meet Isiah who is studying a blue pearl. Team Rocket tries to steal it, but Spoink ends up foiling their plans and runs off with the pearl!

On their way to Mossdeep, Ash and Co. stop on a beach and they see a diver coming on the beach with a box.The man goes up to them and show them a necklace made of Green Shards.He said he found it on a Relicanth so he brings them to his shop and say he's going to looks for the treasure of a sunken ship.Ash and Co. agree to go with him and they go in a sub. Meanwhile in their Magikarp Sub,Team Rocket sees all the Relicanth underwater so the plan to steal all the Relicanth and the treasure so they can give it to Giovanni.

Ash and the gang are still on their way to Mossdeep when Max says that, according to the PokeNav, there are three islands approaching called the A, B, & C Islands , one of which has a Pokemon Center. However the journey is interrupted when a bunch of kids ride past on a bunch of Huntail and Gorebyss, which both evolve from Clamperl. While at the Pokemon Center, the group hear a brother and sister arguing about if Huntail or Gorebyss are better than each other, which is a rivalry between the other two islands. While attempting to mediate the quarrel, Ash and the others meet up with their old friend Professor Birch, who explains he is on the island to investigate the mystery of Clamperl's evolution...

The gang visit Small Rocky Muscle Island, the final island stop before Mossdeep, and they soon meet the trainers who live there, and discover that their philosphy is that a trainer should focus on enhancing their own body as well as their Pokemon, and therefore they spend a lot of time weight training and they invite Ash and the others to join them. While May and Max spend their time on the island getting to know the benefits of weight training, Ash finds himself in a Double Battle with the group's leader. Ash decides to use Pikachu and Grovyle against his Quagsire and Walrein, but this soon proves to be a mistake, as Quagsire is able to intercept all of Pikachu's Electric Attacks (and since it's part ground, it has no effect) and Walrein is able to use it's Ice Ball attack to inflict major damage, leaving Ash in trouble. Meanwhile Team Rocket, upon arriving on Ganga Island, have their Magikarp sub washed away, and find themselves stranded...

After being blasted into the sea at the end of the last episode, Ash and co. are still drifting, with the boat that was to take them to Mossdeep long gone and no land in sight. The gang are overjoyed when a sub rises nearby, but once after sneaking aboard their joy turns to fear when they realise that the sub belongs to Team Magma which is on their main HQ and despite trying to hide, the gang are spotted by Team Magma's leader, Maxie. Under arrest, Maxie tells the group about Team Magma's ambition to increase the amount of land on Earth by awaking the legendary Pokemon Groudon, and in order to help with this Team Magma have already captured Groudon's nemesis Kyogre as well as the Blue Orb that controls it, which they plan to swap with Team Aqua for the Red Orb. Meanwhile, Tactical Commander Shelly of Team Aqua is also aboard the base and sets about releasing Kyogre, but when the huge Pokemon gets free it begins to tear up the place, causing the Blue Orb to fuse with Pikachu making it super-powered. While Ash and Pikachu are separated from Brock, May and Max, Lance arrives to help with the situation but things get worse when Archie and Team Aqua turn up...

Team Magma and Team Aqua continue to fight on Monsu Island. The Red Orb, which can control Kyogre, is currently held by the Team Aqua Leader Archie.

As they finally arrived in front of the gym, a pretty young lady runs from the door and runs out. Ash stops her and asks about the Gym Leader of the town. The pretty lady with glasses tells them that the gym leader is at the Space Center and it seems that the woman is the mother of the Gym Leader. Max glasses shine and it seems that Max knows a lot about it.

Outside of the Gym, Team Rocket was there trying to plan something. It seems that they're planning to steal Solrock and Lunatone. If they steal them, Giovanni will be pleased. As the gang is happy, they are excited to go inside but James stops Meowth and Jessie and he makes them remember the power of Lunatone.