With Dawn aiming for her fifth ribbon, Ash and his friends continue their journey towards Asatsuki Town, where a Pokémon Contest will be held. Our heroes walk down a short path surrounded by lush vegetation. Up Ahead, a gigantic trampoline is in the middle of the path. Brock and Ash both question why a trampoline is in the middle in the trail. Pikachu and Piplup jump off their trainer's shoulders and onto the trampoline taking a short break from the walking. After a few moments, a humungous Snorlax blocks out the sun and explodes down onto the trampoline launching Piplup and Pikachu into the air.

Ash and Dawn hurriedly rush to catch their pokémon and prevent the impending fall. Snorlax bounces on the trampoline a few times and soon thunders to the ground. Dawn opens her Pokédex and queries Snorlax's data. In a robotic voice the unit squeals: "Snorlax, the Doze Pokémon; It's stomach can digest anything. When its belly is full, it becomes too lethargic to even lift a finger, so it is safe to climb onto its belly. An unknown scientist interrupts the three stating that Snorlax's nerve reaction has improved by 15 percent. Ash questions who the individual is.

The scientist arrogantly announces they are Yūta, the heaven-sent child of science, whom is conducting a study on Snorlax's reflexivity and agility. Brock compliments Yūta on his training with Snorlax and the excellent results.

Ash and friends are led to a small structure down the trail which is Yūta's training facility. Snorlax can be viewed through a pane of glass and is connected to an array of sensors. Yūta states he holds scientific tests on a daily basis in order to improve his Pokémon's abilities. A large metallic unit is placed atop Snorlax's head which functions both as a blindfold and to capture experiment data.

Yūta additionally places a similar unit atop his head which is designed to raise the synchronization between Pokémon and trainer. Yūta presses a yellow button on the unit's console which starts a treadmill underneath Snorlax. Snorlax begins a slow paced walk and his thunderous steps crash through the silence in the laboratory. The pace gradually increases and soon the unit presents hurdles for Snorlax to traverse. The training unit is designed to transmit Yūta's thought patterns to Snorlax and increase reflexivity and reaction time. Yūta synchronizes with Snorlax and jumps enabling him to foresee the obstacle ahead. As Yūta jumps forward, Snorlax also jumps in synchronization. Ash, Brock, and Dawn simply stare in astonishment at Snorlax's level of synchronization with Yūta.

Yūta places a small suction cup on Snorlax's chest and measures his improvement in synchronization. He proclaims that synchronization between himself and Snorlax have increased by 10 percent.

The scientific method of training is unique compared to the standard method of training between a trainer and fellow pokémon. Normally, a pokémon gains experience with his trainer through countless battles and tests of endurance. Ash clearly supports the standard method of training stating that himself and Pikachu are connect by the bond between their hearts rather than through a machine. Yūta laughs at Ash's remarks claiming that they are connected by the power of science. Yūta's statement and plain disregard for the standard method of training infuriates Ash and Pikachu. Ash proposes that Yūta and he have a battle to test who has the stronger bond with their Pokémon.

Yūta laughs at Ash's response arguing that a simple result of a battle cannot determine the difference of synchronization between Pokémon. Yūta suggests an alternative contest which will additionally test speed, jumping, power, technique, and stamina in comparison to a simple one-on-one battle.

Pokéthlon, a tournament that originally started in the Johto region, consists of ten competitions in total, however in each tournament only three of the ten competitions are held. Participating trainers enter one Pokémon for each competition. Yuka announces that the next upcoming Pokéthon would be held in Tsubaki Town, located near Asatsuki Town. Brock questions Yūta if this is the first time that a Pokéthon will take place in Sinnoh. Yūta is suprised at Brock's question assuming that this was their first time encountering a Pokéthon. Ash states they had prior knowledge about Pokéthons due to traveling through the Johto Region.

The first contest consists of "Catch Saucers" which is followed by a half-time show featuring "Bound Field". The third and final bout in the afternoon half is "Dash Hurdles". Brock states that it will be a prequalifying event for trainers to gain entry into a National Event. Ash and Pikachu are amped up to enter and conquer the contest however Yūta attempts to squash their dreams spouting that they cannot win with their unscientific philosophy.

The Pokéthon will be held at a stadium which consists of a running track and a lush green field in the middle. A small tent is setup near the stadium entrance to assist trainers with completing registration. A congregation of young and old trainers huddles around the tent discussing possible strategies for the competition. Ash questions Dawn if she will enter the contest. Dawn confirms she will not be entering due to the upcoming contest. Yūta arrogantly proclaims that they will not lose to Pokémon who are all about idealism. Snorlax, exhausted, responds with a simple growl to confirm Yūta's proclamation. Ash examines Snorlax stating that he appears to be fatigued from training too much. Yūta further examines Snorlax's data determining that both its reflexes and power have decreased and level of fatigue increased by 25%. Yūta questions Ash's ability to foresee Snorlax's fatigue without connecting to him with a computer.

“You, young man!”, shouts an older man, James of Team Rocket, with vibrant purple hair and a perky Meowth. The man offers a scientific massage to refresh Snorlax and to relieve his fatigue. Yūta simply looks at the man in a questionable state wondering what an actual "scientific message" is and what positive effects it may have on Snorlax. The man babbles stating that the best kinds of super-scientific messages are given through his services. Yūta and Snorlax are led to a nearby red and gold colored tent. The man opens the curtain's revealing a robotic device with various arms to assist in the messaging procedure. Additionally a young woman, Jessie, is inside whom is wearing a light colored top and pants with a vivacious purple hair color. The woman shouts in joy that their messaging technique, the PokéHeart, will relieve Snorlax's stress and seek out the fatigue in the muscles.

Meowth proclaims that with their service, Snorlax's performance will additionally increase scientifically. In a cunning and corrupt state of mind, Jessie commands that Meowth should keep up the work and bring more Pokémon to their service that Giovanni might enjoy. James and Meowth hide behind the stadium studying Ash and conspiring to take advantage of the situation. “Nice Pikachu!” shouts Meowth as the two point to Ash's Pikachu. James compliments Ash on his training efforts with Pikachu. Meowth offers their message services to Ash to assist in relieving Pikachu's stress from day to day training and the service is free. Ash excitedly asks Pikachu if he would like to participate but Pikachu simply stares away in disagreement. James and Meowth draw Ash in by promising they will have Pikachu's services completed by the time he is scheduled to participate in the Pokéthon. James hurriedly reaches over and grabs Pikachu. The two rush back to the tent before Ash has a chance to object or ask any further questions.

A thunderous roar is heard overheard as the competition begins to commence. The first contest is Catch Saucers which consists of the trainer making his Pokémon jump by leaping onto a seesaw whom in return will collect the saucers that coming flying towards it. Jumping Power, Acceleration, and teamwork are important aspects which are tested in the first bout. The participants are commanded to enter the field in the center of the stadium to commence the first bout. Ten contestants are included in the first bout which includes Nuzleaf, Medicham, Grumpig, Mankey, Ash's Monferno, Yūta's Hitmonlee, Drowsee, and Sneazel. Yūta proclaims that his Hitmonlee clearly has greater jumping power than Monferno and he will prove it with his scientific training while Ash stresses that they have been strengthened by Pokémon Battles. Shortly after, pink saucers begin exploding from launchers located in front of the contestants.

Ash and Yūta both jump off the platform and launch Monferno and Hitmonlee into the air. Both Pokémon begin to slam down the saucers into their respective areas. Afterwards, the bout results are displayed on an overhead board awarding Team Ash and Team Yuto with twenty points each.

The second bout is replaced by an exhibition of Bound Field which is presented by the winner of the tournament in Johto, Spoink. Spoink is located on a small trampoline underneath a lighted grid atop. The grid is square and consists of approximately 21 lights which illuminate at different times. The pokémon uses the trampoline to jump and hit the correct light in the grid. Meanwhile, Ash and Yūta hurry back to the message parlor to reclaim their pokémon and participate in the third bout. The two head opposite ways and manage to slam into each other at the entrance to the tent. Yūta shouts out asking what's wrong with Ash. Ash informs Yūta that his Pikachu is also getting a message. As the two begin to enter the tent, it begins to inflate revealing the iconic Team Rocket hot air balloon. The balloon begins to gain altitude with Pikachu captured below in a cage attached to the bottom and Snorlax attached to a cord.

Team Rocket explodes into their unique intro with Wobbuffet and Manane as support. Yūta simply stares in disbelief unknown of Team Rocket or their objective in the Sinnoh Region. Ash explains they are a group whom steal Pokémon from others. Team Rocket wave to the two as they make their escape but soon their ascent is stopped by the massive weight of Snorlax. Musashi lectures James and Meowth about why they didn't take its Pokéball also. With a flick of her wrist, Musashi releases her pokéball calling upon the assistance of Yanmega. Yanmega thrusts down with Steel Wing cutting the rope attaching Snorlax to the balloon. Musashi extends her pokéball forward calling back Yanmega. Ash calls upon Staraptor whom explodes outward and begins ascending toward the balloon. Meowth presses a red button on a console which launches two robotic arms from the sides of the balloon. Meowth begins slamming the buttons on the console which in return causes the hands to begin slamming against Staraptor's chest knocking him unconscious. Ash extends his arm returning Staraptor to the safety of his Pokéball.

Musashi excitedly thanks Meowth for his excellent work in defeating Straptor. A loud thud is heard emitting from the balloon as Team Rocket look downward to discover the disturbance. Snorlax begins jumping on a nearby trampoline to propel itself up to Team Rocket's altitude. Meowth attempts to use the two robotic arms to halt Snorlax's ascent however his massive weight crushes the arms breaking Pikachu's cage free from the balloon and launching Team Rocket into the great blue sky. Pikachu manages to escape from the cage midair and Ash begins running in his direction to break his fall. Snorlax thunders towards Pikachu's location and slides downward using its soft belly to break Pikachu's fall and prevent injury. James proclaims that they finally managed to capture Pikachu and failed again. Meowth states that possibly it is Team Rocket's fate to fail at capturing Pikachu. The team rockets off into the air in a shimmering light.

Yūta thanks Snorlax for his participation in defeating Team Rocket. Ash thanks Yūta for assisting with saving Pikachu however Yūta claims he only saved Pikachu so that it would be a fair competition and he could prove the superiority of scientific training compared to battle/endurance training. The announcer's voice is heard overhead announcing the third bout, Dash Hurdles, would start in a few moments. Ash and Yūta hurry back to the stadium to participate in the third bout. Eight Pokemon and trainers are placed in starting positions on the track which consists of Glaceon, Stunky, Magby, Abra, Machoke, Luxio, Pikachu, and Snorlax. Brock and Dawn begin to worry about Ash and Yūta's whereabouts. Ash's voice breaks their tension shouting that they are ready for the third bout. Ash and Yūta step onto their platforms and are handed a device similar to the blindfold device previously used in the laboratory. Yūta explains that the device allows a trainer to synchronize with their Pokémon and is based on the same principles as the device that he uses for training. The Pokémon carry cameras which are attached to their forehead while the trainers wear goggles which display images. The hurdles are hidden on the track and will appear at a very fast pace giving the trainer and pokémon very little time to react. The trainers have to jump to send their Pokémon a signal to jump over the hurdles. The overhead display illuminates announcing 3, 2, 1, and finally Go!

The Pokémon explode forward heading towards their first obstacle. Ash & Pikachu encounter the first obstacle. Ash jumps sending the signal to Pikachu to jump as well and dodge the obstacle. A Machoke's trainer misaims the jump and Machoke slams into the obstacle. Pikachu and Snorlax lead the pack with Glaceon, Machoke, and Luxio right behind. The crowd explodes in anticipation of the final stretch of the race. Brock and Dawn cheer out for Ash's success. Both Pikachu and Snorlax speed across the finish line in a photo-finish. Snorlax manages to barely snatch the competition by the difference of its belly. Yūta is announced as the winner with the most combined points in the contest. A wreath is placed atop his head as the two waves to the audience. Ash congratulates Yūta on his amazing performance and determination. The both come to realize that both training methods can be effective when implemented. Ash states he will attempt to employ Yūta's training methods with Pikachu as well while Yūta states that science is not the answer to everything. The two shake hands forming an everlasting friendship.

Ash got a new friend at the Pokéthon, which he entered for the first time. Now, it's finally time for Dawn's Pokémon Contest, the Asatsuki Tournament! What trials and tribulations will test Dawn's strength and endurance?