It's night time. James has a sad expression on his face. Jessie and Meowth tries to cheer James up by giving him his favorite food, but that doesn't work. Jessie thinks that it has to do with Cacnea. They realize that they have to do something with James, otherwise they are going to fail.
Meanwhile, Ash and co. are in a Pokémon Center watching a Pokémon Contest on TV. Kenny, who is on TV, has just won two ribbons. Suddenly, Zoey walks in, and she greets Ash and co. She sees Ash and Pikachu lying on the bench. Ash states that he ate too much food. Dawn looks back at the TV. She knows that Kenny has two ribbons, and she only has one ribbon. Dawn is afraid that Kenny may beat her, but Ash doesn't think so. He thinks that Dawn just needs some more practice, and then she'll beat him. Dawn appreciates Ash's kind words.
The contest host states that the next contest will be in Solaceon Town. Zoey notes that Solaceon Town is on the road to Veilstone City, since that is Ash and co.'s next stop. Ash's next gym battle is in Veilstone City, so everything works out fine. Dawn thinks Zoey should enter the contest, but Zoey says that she has some more work to do with her new combination. Dawn is a bit disappointed, but then she lightens up when Zoey agrees to train with her. Brock has just finished preparing a special medicine for Ash and Pikachu. Ash and Pikachu gives it a taste, and it tastes awful. They run around in circles trying to get rid of the horrible taste.
Ash and co. head outside to the battlefield for some training. Dawn sends out Buizel. She tells Buizel to think of their battle as an actual contest battle. Ash decides to do some training on his own for his next gym battle. He sends out Aipom and Chimchar. Ash tells Brock to keep an eye on his moves and point out things that could be fixed. Zoey decides to be Dawn's opponent. Buizel starts off with Water Gun, but Glameow counters with Iron Tail. Glameow strikes the water with its tail, and the water sparkles around Glameow. Aipom gazes at the contest move that Glameow performed. It seems to be interested with the contests. Dawn tells Buizel that its Water Gun attack only helped Glameow out, so she tells Buizel to show off its body more.
Ash orders Aipom to use Focus Punch. Aipom prepares the attack and then charges towards Chimchar. Chimchar dodges the attack. Ash and Brock are pleased with both Aipom and Chimchar. Buizel sits there staring at Ash's battle. Dawn tells Buizel to pay attention, and she orders Buizel to use Aqua Jet. Zoey is impressed with Buizel's power. Buizel charges right towards Glamoew. Glameow moves in with its Shadow Claw attack. Buizel misses Glameow, leaving Glameow unharmed. Dawn isn't too happy with Buizel's performance. She gives Buizel a few suggestions that would improve its performance in a contest.
Aipom and Chimchar are still battling with each other. Chimchar uses Flame Wheel, and Aipom counters with Swift. Chimchar is able to dodge through the stars. Buizel is watching Ash's battle. Zoey points out that Buizel is more interested in gym battles than contests. Ash and Brock are happy that Aipom and Chimchar have improved their strength. Suddenly, Aipom uses Swift, and then it jumps on the stars. Ash shouts out that Aipom looks like it's in a contest. Zoey thinks that Aipom's move looks nice. Dawn states that Aipom has always watched her and Piplup train for contests, so it's natural that Aipom likes them.
Ash and Dawn decide to train their Pokémon again, but before they can Zoey stops them. She explains that Aipom is more interested in contests than battling, and Buizel likes to battle more than perform. So she thinks that Ash and Dawn should trade Pokémon. Ash stares at Aipom thinking. He never would have thought that Aipom woule be more interested in contests than battling. Meanwhile, Team Rocket is eavesdropping on Ash and co.'s conversation. They decide to steal Aipom and Buizel for themselves to prevent the trade. Jessie also wants to try and make James feel better.
Ash and co. head back into the Pokémon Center. They see Nurse Joy at a Pokémon Trade machine. She's helping two trainers trade their Pokémon with each other. They trade a Munchlax and Ponyta, and then they run off. Nurse Joy then asks Ash and Dawn if they would like to trade Pokémon. Ash and Dawn tells Nurse Joy their story. Nurse Joy understands that it is hard to trade a Pokémon that has been raised well by its trainer. Ash and Dawn wonder if trading is the best thing to do. Ash suddenly gets an idea. To make sure that their Pokémon are ready, he offers to take Buizel and have a battle with Brock, and Dawn would use Aipom against a battle with Zoey. This would make sure that both Pokémon are compatible with their new trainers. Dawn likes the idea.
On the battlefield, Zoey sends out Glameow, and then Brock sends out Sudowoodo. Suddenly, Jessie, Meowth, and Wobbuffet appear in disguises. They offer a service to Ash and Dawn where they will train Buizel and Aipom so that they can grow strong. Suddenly, James walks out with Carnivine and Mime Jr. Ash notices James and realizes that it is Team Rocket. James is disappointed that Jessie and Meowth began an operation without him, but the two tell James that their plan was all for him. Team Rocket cries for each other, and then they prepare for battle. James sends out Carnivine, and Jessie sends out Dustox and Seviper. Dustox uses Psybeam, and Carnivine uses Bullet Seed. Seviper then uses Haze. Brock warns everyone to be careful in case Team Rocket tries to steal their Pokémon. Ash sends out Staravia to blow the smoke away. When the smoke clears, Team Rocket says their motto. When they are finished, Carnivine and Seviper have captured Sudowoodo and Glameow. Meowth notes that they were trying to capture Buizel and Aipom. James doesn't care. He appreciates the effort that Carnivine and Seviper went through.
Zoey and Brock demand for their Pokémon back. Ash and Dawn know that this is the perfect time to test out their new Pokémon. Brock and Zoey agree. Dustox uses Psybeam, and Carnivine uses Bullet Seed. Dawn has Aipom counter with Swift. Ash compliments on Dawn's move. Dustox then uses Whirlwind, and Ash has Buizel use Sonicboom. The attack hits Dustox. Then Buizel uses Aqua Jet, and Dustox faints. Jessie is angry now. She orders Seviper to use Haze. Seviper fires the smoke at Buizel. To counter it, Aipom uses Double Team to confuse Seviper. The smoke fades away, leaving Buizel unharmed. Finally, Buizel fires a Water Gun at Team Rocket, and Team Rocket blasts off again.
Zoey and Brock are glad to have their Pokémon back. Ash and Dawn are amazed at the power their new Pokémon have, so they decide to make the trade. Ash and co. head back into the Pokémon Center. They put their Pokéballs on the Trade machine, and then they pull the lever. The trade is complete. Ash has Buizel, and Dawn has Aipom. Brock and Zoey can't wait to see what new moves and strategies Ash and Dawn can create. So Ash and co. decide to begin their journey towards Solaceon Town.
