While heading towards Dendemille Town, Ash & co. find the Poké Ball Factory, a place that creates all the Poké Balls used around the world. When there, they get offered a guided tour of the facility, but during it they find out it is one of Team Rocket's traps. Having been duped out of handing over their Poké Balls for a maintenance check, with the Pokémon still inside them still. As it doesn't go into its Poké Ball, Pikachu manages to escape and it's up to Pikachu to rescue them, but Meowth is on hand with a Poké Ball with the intent to stop Pikachu and succeed with their plan. Will Pikachu succeed?

While visiting a hotel on their way to the next town, Ash & co. encounter a place where battles are held using Pokémon as gambling pieces. Ash is challenged to a battle by the head of the hotel, only to discover that he has to use Pikachu as a betting chip. Ash doesn't wish to risk it but is luckily saved by a Rotom who leads him to an elevator, but when they get off the elevator, it turns out that they are in the past. Will they be able to return to the present?