Ash and friends are now riding the boat to Ever Grande City. They are all very excited as they approach the home of the Hoenn League Championships - the most prestigious Pokémon competition there is and where elite trainers come to compete - trainers who have earned eight Badges by emerging victorious from a variety of Gym battles. The time has come to prove themselves, to push the limits of their Pokémon, and to hope that their hard work pays off.
Ash comments that the tournament is just one week away and that the time will be spent with some serious training. May tells him that he needs the perfect fuel for the big victory. Ash questions her about what kind and she tells him that he needs Chicken Noodle Soup. Meanwhile, Team Rocket follows the cruise liner in their Magikarp Submarine. Jessie tells James and Meowth that they’ll make their biggest score ever…
Once in town, May leads the group through town while looking for a restaurant - the Ever Grande Noodle Nosh, one of the top three restaurants in Hoenn. She tells the others that she read about it in a guidebook - The Gourmet’s Guide to Ever Grande City Restaurants and Eateries for the True Connoisseur. She tells them that she’ll be a connoisseur during the tournament. And so they head off for the Noodle Nosh again.
A short time later, they are still searching among the alleys of Ever Grande. Above, a flock of Murkrow spies on them. Brock looks in the book for their location as the Murkrow swoop down on them. One of the Murkrow takes the book and the whole flock begins Pecking the four friends. Pikachu uses a Thunderbolt to hurt them but another wave of them comes in. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt again but yet around wave of them swoops in. Suddenly, a Meowth jumps in on the scene. Meowth lands on its hind legs wearing boots and a hat. A man walks up behind Meowth and has it use Fury Swipes to scare the Murkrow. The birds fly away quickly and the man asks if everyone is okay. He picks up the book and sees that the gang is heading for the Noodle Nosh, exactly where he is going.
Once at the Noodle Nosh, with some soup, May compliments the man, whose name is Tyson, and his Meowth in Boots. Meowth eats Brock’s Pokémon food with Pikachu as Tyson explains that he is surprised to see it eating someone else’s food and that Brock must be a great breeder because Meowth is a picky eater. He continues that Meowth is probably strong enough to evolve but too stubborn. He also says that Ash must be lucky to be traveling with Brock. Ash tells Tyson that Brock is an awesome chef and invites him over for dinner, for which Brock promises to make something special.
Tyson tells everyone that he likes to try all the local food when he travels which brings Max to say that he’s like May. May thinks she has found her “soul mate!” and tells Tyson that they should work together to make a gourmet cookbook. Once everyone finishes lunch, Tyson glances over at the clock and realizes that he is late. He speeds out of the Noodle Nosh with everyone at his heels.
Running down the path, Tyson explains that he is a Torch Runner and must be at the Pokémon Center soon. At the Pokémon Center, President Goodsho awaits the arrival of the Moltres Flame Torch and he complains that he hates waiting. Officer Jenny radios to all the other officers that she wants them all at their posts. Over in the bushes Jessie, James, and Meowth devise a plan to steal the Torch for the boss. Meowth begins another one of his fantasies about the boss:
The stolen flame has been placed at headquarters so that when the boss rides in to work every morning, he sees it burning bright. Throughout the day, he would use it to make Torch-Brewed Coffee, have a Torch-Flame Stove, and a Torch-Heated Personal Jacuzzi.
The officers arrive with the Flame under heavy security just as Tyson and the others arrive. Goodsho tells them that they aren’t late and he greets Ash and Brock. Max and May wonder how he knows them so Ash explains that he and Brock were once Torch Runners too. Goodsho spots May and compliments her after seeing her “spectacular” performance in the Grand Festival, just as a performance from Norman’s daughter should be. Max says that he didn’t know that Goodsho knew about their dad, which leads to a response from Goodsho about being in the business a long time and just knowing things.
Tyson receives the Torch and sets off with Meowth in Boots. In the bushes, Team Rocket’s Meowth spies on Meowth in Boots. Jessie and James start to leave without him so he runs to catch up. President Goodsho says that it is time to head for the stadium as a limo pulls up. He offers to allow Ash and the others to ride with them. As the limo rolls along, the expansive Ever Grande Stadium reveals itself to them and Ash stares in awe at its size. May says that she wants to try each of the food shops in Ever Grande, starting with the bakery and their Strawberry Cream Pie which her book says will be an experience not soon forgotten.
At the Ever Grande Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy tells Ash that his registration is done and gives him a guidebook. Max asks if he can see it first. Brock disappears and May points out that he is off admiring the many Nurse Joy’s and Officer Jenny’s. Ash asks Nurse Joy if a trainer named Morrison has registered yet but she tells him that he has not. Up on the TV screen, Tyson is seen running with the Torch into the Stadium.
A short time later, Ash calls Professor Oak who offers to transfer any Pokémon. Ash declines the offer and tells the Professor why: he left for Hoenn with just Pikachu and started over. Many of Ash’s other Pokémon would be happy to battle but he would like to use just his Hoenn team. Professor Oak agrees with his decision and says he is looking forward to the tournament.
Suddenly, Officer Jenny’s voice blares over the PA that there is a Code I Emergency - the Torch has been stolen. Outside, Ash and friends meet up with Tyson who tells them all how the Torch was stolen from right underneath his nose. He had gotten to the storage room and put the Torch on the table. One of the Officer Jenny’s, who had her face shaded, pointed to the sky and said that she thought she had seen a Moltres. While everyone looked up, a shaded Nurse Joy grabbed the Torch. The Jenny said that she was mistaken and the two left, barricading the door behind them.
The two make their getaway on a motorcycle, with two Jenny’s chasing them. One Jenny speeds around them and attempts to cut them off. They merely take a turn and speed towards a cliff. Jumping off the motorcycle, the Jenny and Joy land in the Team Rocket balloon and say their motto. With the Torch in hand, they begin to escape and Ash has Pikachu use Thunderbolt. Meowth whips out his Anti-Electric Umbrella to repel it and it hits Pikachu. Officer Jenny starts to pull out her Blastoise but Nurse Joy warns her that water would put out the Flame.
Tyson sends out a Metagross and has it use Confusion to pull down the balloon. Meowth turns up the flame on the balloon and they begin to rise. President Goodsho asks Ash if he has any Ice Pokémon. Ash tells him that he has Glalie and the President tells him that Ice won’t put out the Flame. So, Ash sends out Glalie and has it use Ice Beam. Team Rocket gets frozen and Ash jumps in the balloon to take the Torch. Jessie and James break free of the ice and begin a struggle with Ash for the Flame. It flies out of the balloon and Jessie throws Meowth after it. He grabs it but Meowth in Boots takes it from him. Meowth in Boots insults Meowth who says that Meowth in Boots has a cowboy complex. Meowth in Boots dares Meowth to come and get the Flame so Meowth uses Fury Swipes attack… but misses. He says that the town isn’t big enough for the two of them. Meowth in Boots seems to agree and uses Iron Tail to send Meowth blasting off.
Tyson has Ash jump out of the balloon with Metagross’ help and them Meowth in Boots use Thunderbolt to blast the rest of Team Rocket off. The Flame is saved and President Goodsho thanks Ash and Tyson for their quick thinking and excellent battle maneuvers. The Hoenn League Championships are about to begin and Tyson and Ash are as ready as ever.
