Max meets up with another Pokémon enthusiast who goes by the same name, but despite their shared interests and shared name, the two get off to a rocky start. As they continue to bicker, Team Rocket launches a surprise attack, separating May, Max, and this new Max--the youngest and least experienced Pokémon trainers--from their friends. Without Ash and Brock to protect them, these children nonetheless work to find their new acquaintance's missing Surskit before Team Rocket does.

May reaches the second round of the Contest and defeats Jessica (who is Jessie, in disguise). Seeing Grace had managed to defeat her rival, Drew, May wonders if she could defeat Grace. During the battle, however, May displays new tricks she learned from Grace.