After returning to Mauville City, the gang decide to visit Wattson at his Gym. However, when neither he or Watt are there, the group goes exploring and come across a carnival run by Team Rocket. Just as Team Rocket succeed in stealing the gang's Pokémon, Wattson and Watt appears and rescues the Pokémon from their evil clutches. After the crooks got blasted off, Wattson's Electrike evolves into Manectric. With everything taken care of, Ash challenges Wattson to a battle against his newly captured Torkoal.

As the heroes arrive to Verdanturf Town, they meet up with Drew, who cannot participate in the upcoming Contest, since his Roselia has been defeated by the Phantom and his Dusclops. May is surprised and decides to train for the Contest. Just then, the Phantom appears, so Ash challenges him to a battle. However, a woman arrives and starts chasing the Phantom, but fails. In order to find more about the Phantom, the woman requests the heroes to unmask his identity.