Ash, Pikachu, and Brock take a break by the lake while Misty heads deeper into the forest with Togepi. As Misty picks some flowers, Togepi wanders over to a very strange looking bush. It appears to have legs...spider legs! Summoned by Misty's shrieks, Ash and Brock discover an Ariados in the bush. Just then, Aya, Fuchsia City Gym Leader Koga's younger sister, appears before everyone. She is happy to see them again and tells them that she is studying Pokemon Jujitsu at a nearby Dojo. She invites them to the Dojo where they all decide to take part in the different classes. However, Team Rocket is once again planning to strike and steal as many Pokemon as the can.

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?