Ash and co. have begun their journey to Tobari City, where Ash will compete in his next gym battle. Right now, Ash and co. have stopped for a lunch break. Ash whines if the lunch is ready yet. This gets Brock mad because Ash hasn't done one thing to help him prepare. Dawn agrees with Brock as she lays down a blanket. Ash sighs and sends out all his Pokémon. Thinking it's a good idea, Dawn does the same. Brock sends out his Pokémon too, and together all the Pokémon help set things up except for Chimchar. Chimchar thinks about the time when it has had lunch with Paul. Ash breaks Chimchar's flashback and tells it to eat. Ash takes a bite out of his food and notes that it is the best as always. Chimchar tries its food and enjoys it.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket is also enjoying their lunch. Suddenly, Seviper hears something nearby, and an evil expression appears on its face. A trio of Zangoose appear, and they attack Seviper. Seviper fights back, and Seviper and the Zangoose get into a bloody fight. James knows that Seviper and Zangoose are rivals and that they hate each other a lot. Knowing that Seviper may end up getting hurt, Jessie returns Seviper back into its Pokéball. Her plan fails as Seviper pops back out again and attacks the Zangoose. Jessie keeps on trying to stop Seviper from fighting, but Seviper ignores Jessie. Eventually, the trio of Zangoose unleash one final attack on Seviper. Seviper flies back into Team Rocket, and they blast off again. Meowth, however, gets blasted off into a different direction.

When lunch is over, Chimchar watches Ash, Dawn, and Brock practice their battling moves with their Pokémon. Ash and Dawn are having a battle. Buizel starts off with Aqua Jet, but Pikachu dodges it. Then Pikachu uses Iron Tail. Buizel counters with Sonicboom, and the two attacks collide into each other. Then Ash orders Pikachu to run around in circles to confuse Buizel. Ash's strategy works, and Pikachu hits Buizel with Iron Tail. Brock declares the battle over. Ash and Dawn compliment their Pokémon for the nice work. Chimchar has paid close attention to the battle, and it suddenly recalls a flashback with its battles with Paul. Ash walks up to Chimchar and asks if it would like to battle. Dawn states that Piplup is itching to test out its skills, so Chimchar agrees to the battle.

Piplup starts off with Bubblebeam. Chimchar dodges the attack by digging into the ground. Dawn orders Piplup to be careful. Chimchar suddenly surfaces the ground and attacks Piplup. It then uses Scratch on Piplup. Piplup quickly recovers and uses Peck on Chimchar. The two Pokémon then begin to deliver a series of attack at each other for a while. Meanwhile, Meowth is walking in the forest wondering where Jessie and James went. Meowth notices the battle and realizes that Ash is in control of Chimchar now. Ash orders Chimchar to Dig once again. Chimchar digs underground and then attacks Piplup. Chimchar then uses its Flamethrower, and Piplup counters with Bubblebeam. Piplup's Bubblebeam is a bit stronger, however, and it manages to defeat Chimchar. Chimchar recalls the flashback it had with Paul back in the Tag Battle when it lost a battle. Ash picks up Chimchar and compliments on how strong Chimchar is. Ash states that Chimchar would have won if it had not been for the type disadvantage. Dawn, Brock, and all the other Pokémon also compliment on Chimchar's strength. Tears form in Chimchar's eyes, and it begins to cry. Dawn notes that Chimchar has never felt so much joy before.

Night comes, and everyone is asleep. Chimchar is having a nightmare about his battles with Paul. In Chimchar's nightmare, a trio of Zangoose corners Chimchar. Chimchar has no where to run because it is on the edge of a cliff. Zangoose uses Crush Claw, and Chimchar suddenly wakes up from its nightmare. Realizing that it was only a nightmare, Chimchar sighs in relief. Meanwhile, Meowth continues to call out for Jessie and James, hoping that they will find him. Meowth hears a rustle in the bushes. Chimchar comes out, and the two face each other. Meowth doesn't think that they should fight since it would be pointless at the time of night. They both sit together and stare at the full moon. Meowth tells Chimchar to keep being happy and to keep on moving on forward because it now has new friends.

It's daylight again, and Ash and co. are preparing for breakfast. Ash tells Chimchar to come and help him get water. Chimchar appreciates Ash's offer, and the two of them run off to fetch the water. Jessie and James have finally found Meowth, and they pull him up into their balloon. They quickly make up a plan to capture Ash and co.'s Pokémon. They soon find Dawn, Brock, and their Pokémon. Meowth presses a button on a switch, and two nets pop out. The nets capture the Pokémon and traps them in a cage. Then Team Rocket says their motto. Brock demands for their Pokémon back. Dawn tries to return them back into their Pokéballs, but the cage blocks the Pokémon off. Then Dawn and Brock order their Pokémon to attack the cage, but their attacks fail.

Suddenly, Seviper pops out of its Pokéball. The same trio of Zangoose climb a large pine tree. They jump off of it and attack Team Rocket's balloon. The balloon crashes to the ground. Team Rocket tries to stop Seviper from attacking the Zangoose. They end up placing themselves in the cage with Ash and co.'s Pokémon. The Zangoose then end up pushing the cage towards the edge of a cliff. Soon, Ash and Chimchar return from their water task. Chimchar sees the Zangoose and immediately gets scared. Brock and Dawn know that Team Rocket and their Pokémon will be goners if the Zangoose aren't stopped. Ash wants Chimchar to fight, but Chimchar is too afraid to even move. Ash tries to comfort Chimchar. He tells Chimchar that all of their Pokémon are in trouble, and that they need Chimchar to beat the Zangoose. Chimchar decides to give it all its got.

Chimchar first uses Flamethrower on the Zangoose, but the Zangoose all dodge the attack. The Zangoose end up going for Chimchar now. Ash orders Chimchar to fight with Scratch. Chimchar manages to defend itself a bit even with the assistance of Ash, who saves Chimchar from a massive attack. The Zangoose charge towards Chimchar again. Chimchar uses Dig to save itself. Then Chimchar surfaces and attacks one of the Zangoose. The Zangoose faints, but there are still two more left. The two Zangoose charge for Chimchar, but Chimchar digs again. It then reappears behind the Zangoose and uses Flamethrower. The last two Zangoose faint, and Chimchar is the winner. Ash, Dawn, and Brock congratulate Chimchar for its fine battling. Suddenly, Dawn sees Team Rocket trying to escape. Team Rocket knows that they are in trouble now. Ash and Dawn have all of their Pokémon attack Team Rocket, and Team Rocket blasts off again.

Now that Ash and co. have defeated the Zangoose, they continue their way towards Tobari City.

English Official Summary

As our heroes head towards Veilstone City, Ash's new Chimchar struggles to adapt to its new surroundings. Everything is the complete opposite of life with Paul: mealtimes are fun and everyone treats each other with friendship and kindness! Chimchar still has vivid memories of the lonely and harsh treatment it received from Paul, so this sudden reversal of fortune is nearly too much to take. When Ash even praises Chimchar after it loses a practice battle with Dawn's Piplup, Chimchar breaks down in emotion. Meowth, who's searching for Team Rocket after their group was split up by some rampaging Zangoose, sees this scene and has a pang of sympathy for Chimchar. That night, Chimchar can't sleep and it finds Meowth sitting in the moonlight. Meowth isn't in the mood for a fight; instead, it gently tells Chimchar to make the best of its new life. Of course, all bets are off the next morning once Meowth rejoins Jessie and James: they catch Dawn and Brock by surprise, then try to steal all of their Pokémon by trapping them in giant canisters! But when the Zangoose show up, Team Rocket has to hide in the canisters for their own protection. Ash and Chimchar reach the scene and realize the Zangoose are about to knock the canisters off a cliff! Chimchar has encountered Zangoose before and it's still afraid of them. Ash knows this, so he encourages Chimchar and gives it the confidence it needs to take on and defeat the Zangoose. With everyone safe and sound, it's three cheers for Chimchar, who finally feels like a part of its new family!

French Official Summary

En chemin vers Voilaroc et le prochain combat d'Arène de Sacha, un trio de Mangriff en colère force Ouisticram à faire face à son terrible passé.

German Official Summary

Auf dem Weg nach Schleiede zu Ashs nächstem Arenakampf gelingt es Panflam im Kampf gegen ein Trio wütender Sengo, seine tief verwurzelte Angst zu überwinden.

Italian Official Summary

I nostri eroi si dirigono verso Rupepoli, ma il nuovo Chimchar di Ash ha difficoltà ad adattarsi al nuovo ambiente.

Portuguese Official Summary

A caminho da Cidade de Veilstone e da próxima Batalha de Ginásio de Ash, um trio de Zangoose bravos forçam Chimchar a enfrentar seu temido passado.

Finnish Official Summary

Matkalla Veilstone Cityyn ja Ashin seuraavaan saliotteluun, Chimchar joutuu kohtaamaan pelottavan menneisyytensä kolmen vihaisen Zangoosen pakottamana.

Spanish Latin America Official Summary

En su camino hacia Ciudad Veilstone y a la siguiente batalla de Gimnasio de Ash, un trío de furiosos Zangoose obligan a Chimchar a enfrentar su terrible pasado.

Spanish Official Summary

Mientras nuestros héroes se dirigen a Ciudad Rocavelo, el nuevo Chimchar de Ash lucha por adaptarse a su nuevo entorno.

English Great Britian Official Summary

As our heroes head towards Veilstone City, Ash's new Chimchar struggles to adapt to its new surroundings. Everything is the complete opposite of life with Paul: mealtimes are fun and everyone treats each other with friendship and kindness! Chimchar still has vivid memories of the lonely and harsh treatment it received from Paul, so this sudden reversal of fortune is nearly too much to take. When Ash even praises Chimchar after it loses a practice battle with Dawn's Piplup, Chimchar breaks down in emotion. Meowth, who's searching for Team Rocket after their group was split up by some rampaging Zangoose, sees this scene and has a pang of sympathy for Chimchar. That night, Chimchar can't sleep and it finds Meowth sitting in the moonlight. Meowth isn't in the mood for a fight; instead, it gently tells Chimchar to make the best of its new life. Of course, all bets are off the next morning once Meowth rejoins Jessie and James: they catch Dawn and Brock by surprise, then try to steal all of their Pokémon by trapping them in giant canisters! But when the Zangoose show up, Team Rocket has to hide in the canisters for their own protection. Ash and Chimchar reach the scene and realize the Zangoose are about to knock the canisters off a cliff! Chimchar has encountered Zangoose before and it's still afraid of them. Ash knows this, so he encourages Chimchar and gives it the confidence it needs to take on and defeat the Zangoose. With everyone safe and sound, it's three cheers for Chimchar, who finally feels like a part of its new family!

Russian Official Summary

На пути в город Вейлстоун новый покемон Эша Чимчар пытается приспособиться к новой для себя среде.

Dutch Official Summary

Terwijl onze helden op weg zijn naar Veilstone City, doet de nieuwe Chimchar van Ash hard zijn best zich aan zijn nieuwe omgeving aan te passen.

Norwegian Official Summary

På vei til Veilstone City og Ash sin neste Gym-kamp, tvinger en trio sine Zangoose Chimchar til å konfrontere sin redselsfulle fortid.

Swedish Official Summary

På vägen mot Veilstone City och Ashs nästa Gym-strid, tvingar tre arga Zangoose Chimchar att göra upp med sitt fruktansvärda förflutna.

Danish Official Summary

På vej til Veilstone City og Ashs næste Salkamp tvinger tre Zangoose Chimchar til at se sin frygtelige fortid i øjnene.