Ash and friends have finally arrived in Saffron City, the day before the Pokémon Contest is to be held. Outside the Contest Hall, May calls out Combusken, Munchlax, and Squirtle and tells them that they are finally at the Contest. Munchlax and Squirtle sigh, obviously not too excited. May points this out and Max explains that they haven't been in a Contest yet. Brock asks why May is so excited since she skipped lunch to come to the Contest Hall. She answers that she wants to get her first Kanto Contest Ribbon and she wants to get all of her Ribbons before Drew does.

People begin to enter the Contest Hall as Ash and the others wonder what's going on. May asks a man with a Mankey if the Hall is open. He answers that it is called Open Stage and Coordinators are allowed to go and see the Stadium to help plan their performance. Inside, workers continue to ready the Stadium as a man speaks to, who appears to be, Vivian. Ash and the others come in and admire the Stadium as the woman takes center stage. A man in the front row cues the spotlights and tells the woman to send out her Pokémon. She calls out an Espeon and tells it to use Swift.

Stars come from Espeon as it uses a Psychic attack. The stars hover as if in space and then form several rings, through which Espeon jumps through to finish up. Squirtle admires the display and bounds up to the stage, releasing a Bubble attack. The woman picks up Squirtle and asks it what it's doing on stage. May and the others run up and May says that Squirtle got away from her. The woman gives it back and tells May that her Squirtle is a born performer asking if it'll be in the Contest. She says that she doesn't know yet as Squirtle nods its head enthusiastically. May thanks her, calling her Vivian. She corrects her that she isn't Vivian. May says that she was the emcee in Hoenn Contests and even awarded her some of her Ribbons.

The woman corrects her that her bigger sister is the emcee in Hoenn and that she, Lillian, is the emcee for Kanto Contests. At the Pokémon Center, May stirs her drink as she says that she doesn't know which of her Pokémon to use. Max tells her that she should probably use Beautifly or Skitty who have experience. Brock comments that it's good to use Pokémon who have experience. May then announces that she has chosen Squirtle, saying that she wants to go with the Pokémon that she brought with her to Kanto. Brock and Ash agree with her decision as Nurse Joy announces that Contestant 45's Pokémon have passed their check-ups and are being brought out. The doors open and Munchlax, Combusken, and Squirtle come riding out on a stretcher as May bounds up and goes to get them. However, she screams when she sees who it is bringing them out. Ash, Max, and Brock go to investigate and discover that it's Harley! May asks Harley what he's doing in Saffron.

Meanwhile, Jessie (in disguise) enters the Contest Hall and hands the attendant her Hoenn Contest Pass. The attendant rejects it and says that she needs a Kanto Contest Pass to enter. Jessie introduces herself as the Empress Coordinator Jessabella, the Thoroughly Fabulous. She comments that the attendant must've heard the press reports. James and Meowth arrive, James holding a rod attached to a ball which slowly releases confetti on Jessie. James says that he is the Empress's Lackey: Jamison. Meowth says that he is Meowthison, the Empress's Great Pokémon Wrangler. The woman tells Jessie that she can't enter with a Hoenn Contest Pass and needs a Kanto Contest pass. She gladly gives Jessie one and registers Jessie for the Contest.

Outside, Jessie says that she must win the Contest to have the money rolling in. Meowth asks her if since they didn't win in Hoenn, what will make Kanto any different. Jessie kicks him and asks him what he was saying. He tells her that she's a loch for Top Coordinator. Jessie then continues that she didn't win in Hoenn because she didn't have the right Pokémon and tells James to bring out his Cacnea. James objects to the idea until Meowth tells him that one way to earn points in the Contest is to show a bond between Trainer and Pokémon. James gets the idea and sends out Cacnea, only to have it hug him. Jessie notes what they mean and isn't so sure that she likes the idea.

Inside the Pokémon Center, May asks Harley again what he's doing there and if he's really Nurse Joy's orderly. He tells her that it's not official but he's volunteering. Everyone looks surprised so Harley explains that his Cacturne was sick and Nurse Joy treated it, making him ashamed of how he acted before. He continues that he's going to turn over a new leaf and help others. May asks about the Contest, to which he replies that he's still entering. He then tells everyone that they are allowed to substitute Pokémon between the first and second rounds. Max doesn't believe him, so Harley knocks him over anime-style and says that he's not lying.

Harley tells May and the others that he's not surprised that they don't believe him, and that he's a different person. Nurse Joy walks out and Harley asks her if it's true that Coordinators can switch Pokémon between the first and second rounds. Nurse Joy confirms it and Max comments that he was telling the truth. Nurse Joy asks Harley where his friends are from and he says that May is one of his very best friends from the Contests back in Hoenn. Nurse Joy mentions that they have good taste and that Harley has been a big help. Everyone is surprised at this.

Nurse Joy then tells May that switching Pokémon between the first and second rounds is not required and is decided by the Coordinator. She continues that all of May's Pokémon are in fine condition and would be good to use in the Contest. Munchlax goes to sleep as Combusken and Squirtle look on excitedly. May announces that Combusken and Squirtle will participate in the Contest and they jump over to her, Squirtle doing several flips. Harley calls Combusken cool and also mentions that he can't say enough about her little Squirtle.

May tells Harley that she's sorry about not trusting him but Max says that he still thinks something's up. Ash tells Harley that he's satisfied as long as Nurse Joy trusts him. Nurse Joy tells Harley that he can take his break and to have fun before she leaves. May asks Harley about the Contest and he tells her that he's still entering. He then asks her whether or not she?s entered yet. May responds that she forgot and Max tells her that she should've done it while they were at the stadium. Harley asks May if she still has her Pass from Hoenn. She nods that she does and he tells her that the Hoenn Pass will get her into the Contest there too and that registration is open until 11:00 the next day. The gang heads out as Harley follows, laughing evilly.

Outside, Jessie releases Cacnea and it gets scared. James tells Cacnea to hug Jessie as she thinks to watch the face. Cacnea hugs James instead; Meowth notes that it couldn't bring itself to hug Jessie. Jessie says that there's no rush as James tells Cacnea to hug Jessie. Meowth walks over and tells Cacnea that it's an ugly job, but it's got to be done. Cacnea finally jumps over and hugs Jessie, whose screams are heard all around the forest.

Harley mentions to May that he met Drew in the Kanto Region. She tells him that she met up with him too. Harley wonders if Drew will enter the Contest as Ash asks Max if he's still suspicious. Jessie suddenly runs in with Cacnea wrapped in her hair. She collapses on the ground as James whines about his Cacnea and Meowth says that they will help it. Jessie exclaims that they should worry about her. Ash and the others walk over to investigate. May wonders what happened and Harley thinks that she's a Coordinator that got into an accident. Chansey takes Jessie and Cacnea away and Harley rushes off to help Nurse Joy. Max states that he didn?t know that people could get hurt that badly while practicing. May comments that she still has to, anyways.

Meanwhile, James and Meowth plan to steal all of the Pokémon so that Jessie will win? Outside, Ash asks May if she'd like to battle him to practice for the Contest and she sends out Squirtle. As the Tiny Turtle Pokémon appears, an arm grabs it, and Pikachu too. May yells for them to give Pikachu and Squirtle back. James and Meowth appear in the balloon and say the motto, James taking most of Jessie's lines and Meowth taking some too. Max says that they're missing someone. Brock suggests that Jessie got fired, but James and Meowth say that she didn't and it's too embarrassing to talk about.

Ash calls to Pikachu and tells it to use Thunder, but then stops when he realizes that it could hit Squirtle. Inside the Pokémon Center, Harley mentions to Joy that Jessie and Cacnea are hopelessly tangled together. Joy says that they?ll have to cut her hair and a Scizor appears as Harley leaves to get her friends for "moral support." Back outside, several Pokémon get swiped up by James and Meowth as Harley appears on the scene and releases an Ariados, ordering it to use Spider Web. Ariados creates a web that stops the balloon and Harley tells May to attack.

She sends out Combusken and orders a Sky Uppercut. The cage breaks and all the Pokémon fall to their Trainers as Lillian arrives on the scene. Squirtle lands in May's arms and then jumps back out and fires a blue beam at Team Rocket, sending them blasting off again. Squirtle lands happily as May asks it if it learned Ice Beam. Ash and the others walk over, Ash commenting that it learned Ice Beam without her even teaching it. Max says that it was perfect timing and Brock adds that it was Squirtle's way of thanking her for all the love she's shown it since they joined up together. May asks Squirtle if it's ready to win the Contest as Ash says to Pikachu that they should thank May. May takes the thanks and gives it to Harley because he showed up with his Ariados. Harley says that he was happy to help out. May wishes Harley luck in the Contest as Ash comments on their friendly rivalry. Lillian watches the scene from a distance, proud of how May acted.

That night, Jessie is happy that they captured all the Pokémon. James tells her that they failed again, Meowth blaming it on ?the twerps!? Jessie says that with her charm and talent, she and Cacnea will win anyways. Cacnea flexes its arms, ready for the Contest as James calls Jessie "baldy." Meowth says that her hair may be short, but she's long on confidence. Jessie embarrassedly tells them not to look at her hair.

The next morning, as May tries to register, the woman tells her that her pass is invalid and that it's past the registration time. May argues that she was told that her Hoenn Pass would get her in and that the deadline was at 11 and not 10. The woman tells her that whoever gave her that information was badly mistaken and May sinks to the ground, having lost her chance to enter the Saffron Contest. Max says that Harley strikes again as Ash comments that the whole thing with Nurse Joy was fake. Brock puts in that Harley really did help out but he used that to gain May's trust. May screams that she fell for it again as Harley watches, happy to get revenge.

Lillian walks in and asks May why she's so down. She then apologizes for the joke and approaches the counter. The woman tells Lillian about the Hoenn Pass and Deadline so Lillian explains that the previous day, the Pokémon were all stolen from the practice fields and that May saved the day. The woman realizes that there wouldn't be a Contest without May and says that she remembers that she did get May's Pass Renewal and Registration the previous day and must've misplaced it. Brock flirts with Lillian before Max pulls him away. May receives her new Contest Pass and an orange Ribbon Case before Lillian leaves, saying that she must get ready for the Contest. Max says that she's so nice and Brock comments that that only makes it harder for him to choose between Vivian and Lillian. Meanwhile, Harley watches and states to himself that May's Ribbon Case will stay empty!

English Official Summary

May and friends arrive in Saffron City, where May is so excited about the upcoming Pokémon Contest that she heads straight for the Contest Hall. She sees people going in to check out the hall, so she goes inside too. On stage is a woman who looks suspiciously like Vivian from the Hoenn region, practicing with an Espeon. May's Squirtle gets so excited that it runs on stage. It turns out that the woman is actually Lillian, Vivian's younger sister. May takes her Pokémon to the Pokémon Center for a check-up, and is surprised to meet Nurse Joy's new assistant—Harley! Harley is overwhelmingly nice to May, and even tells her that she can switch Pokémon during the contest, which turns out to be true. Harley also tells her that she can register with her Hoenn Contest Pass until 11 the next day—which isn't true. But May believes him since he was telling the truth before. Meanwhile, a disguised Jessie registers for the Pokémon Contest, and asks James if she can borrow Cacnea. But when Jessie tries to form a bond with Cacnea, it ends up getting stuck in her hair and James and Meowth rush her to the Pokémon Center. At the PC, they get the idea to steal everyone else's Pokémon so Jessie can win by default. May and Ash begin to battle outside when James and Meowth fly over in their balloon and start snatching Pokémon. May ends up teaming up with Harley to free the Pokémon, and even more unexpected help comes from Squirtle, who uses a newly-learned Ice Beam to send the thieves blasting off. When May finally goes to register, she turns out to be too late. Luckily, Lillian happens to be walking by, and after hearing mention of May's heroics, the attendant lets her register for the contest.

French Official Summary

Flora et ses compagnons arrivent enfin à Safrania. Notre amie est tellement impatiente de participer au prochain Concours Pokémon qu'elle se dirige droit vers la Salle Concours.

German Official Summary

Maike und Gefährten kommen in Saffronia City an. Maike ist wegen des bevorstehenden Pokémon-Wettbewerbs so aufgeregt, dass sie direkt zur Wettbewerbshalle geht.

Italian Official Summary

Giunta con i suoi amici a Zafferanopoli, Vera è così ansiosa di partecipare alla prossima Gara di Pokémon da dirigersi direttamente verso l'Arena Virtù.

Portuguese Official Summary

Nossos heróis estão na Cidade de Saffron para o primeiro Concurso Pokémon de May na Região de Kanto—e seu suspeito rival Harley também está competindo!

Finnish Official Summary

Sankarimme ovat Saffron Cityssä Mayn ensimmäistä Kanto-alueen Pokémon-kilpailua varten — jossa kisaa myös hänen hämäräperäinen kilpakumppaninsa Harley!

Spanish Latin America Official Summary

Nuestros héroes están en Ciudad Azafrán para el primer Concurso Pokémon de May en la región Kanto, ¡y su sospechoso rival Harley también está compitiendo!

Spanish Official Summary

Aura y sus amigos llegan a Ciudad Azafrán, donde Aura está tan emocionada por el próximo Concurso Pokémon que se va directamente al Auditorio.

English Great Britian Official Summary

May and friends arrive in Saffron City, where May is so excited about the upcoming Pokémon Contest that she heads straight for the Contest Hall. She sees people going in to check out the hall, so she goes inside too. On stage is a woman who looks suspiciously like Vivian from the Hoenn region, practicing with an Espeon. May's Squirtle gets so excited that it runs on stage. It turns out that the woman is actually Lillian, Vivian's younger sister. May takes her Pokémon to the Pokémon Center for a check-up, and is surprised to meet Nurse Joy's new assistant—Harley! Harley is overwhelmingly nice to May, and even tells her that she can switch Pokémon during the contest, which turns out to be true. Harley also tells her that she can register with her Hoenn Contest Pass until 11 the next day—which isn't true. But May believes him since he was telling the truth before. Meanwhile, a disguised Jessie registers for the Pokémon Contest, and asks James if she can borrow Cacnea. But when Jessie tries to form a bond with Cacnea, it ends up getting stuck in her hair and James and Meowth rush her to the Pokémon Center. At the PC, they get the idea to steal everyone else's Pokémon so Jessie can win by default. May and Ash begin to battle outside when James and Meowth fly over in their balloon and start snatching Pokémon. May ends up teaming up with Harley to free the Pokémon, and even more unexpected help comes from Squirtle, who uses a newly-learned Ice Beam to send the thieves blasting off. When May finally goes to register, she turns out to be too late. Luckily, Lillian happens to be walking by, and after hearing mention of May's heroics, the attendant lets her register for the contest.

Russian Official Summary

Мэй рада принять участие в своём первом состязании покемонов региона Канто, где она узнает о новых правилах, которые значительно усложняют состязания. Макс и Мэй удивлены тёплым приёмом, который им оказывает Харли, который уже не раз предавал Мэй. Видя, что Харли является волонтёром местного центра покемонов, Мэй решает, что он заслуживает шанса. Но это оказывается ещё одной ошибкой: Харли делает все возможное, чтобы Мэй пропустила регистрацию на состязания, и пришла уже после ее закрытия.

Dutch Official Summary

Onze helden zijn in Saffron City voor de eerste Pokémon Wedstrijd van May in the Kanto regio—en haar obscure rivaal Harley doet ook mee!

Norwegian Official Summary

Heltene våre er Saffron City i anledning Mays første Pokémon-konkurranse i Kanto-regionen, og den tvilsomme rivalen Harley deltar også!

Swedish Official Summary

Våra hjältar är i Saffron City för att May ska delta i sin första Pokémon-tävling i Kanto-regionen—och det tänker även hennes skumma rival Harley göra!

Danish Official Summary

Vore helte er i Saffron City på grund af Mays første Pokémon-konkurrence i Kanto-regionen, og hendes luskede rival Harley deltager også i den!