On the way to Ecruteak, Ash and friends are caught by the sight of a Skiploom racing by. They follow it, and encounter its trainer, Ephram. He and his Skiploom are training for the upcoming annual Grass-Type tournament, a contest for Grass Pokemon only. Confident he can win any "local" tournament, Ash decides he and Bulbasaur will enter as well. Ephram and his Skiploom train hard as the tournament quickly approaches. However, Ash doesn't think it is necessary for someone of his Pokemon prowess to prepare. The next day the tournament starts, and with two mystery trainers in the competition, who will emerge victorious?

Continuing on the way to Ecruteak City, Ash and friends are peacefully walking when Team Rocket attacks. When Weezing uses Smokescreen, Togepi uses Metronome which causes it to teleport away. Misty becomes frantic trying to find her young pokemon. Together with Ash and Brock she begins a long desperate search for the young pokemon. Meanwhile, a Houndoom finds Togepi who is crying, afraid to be alone. Houndoom grabs the young pokemon and takes it with on its delivery journey.