Ash and friends are now headed to Verdanturf Town so May can compete in her next contest. However it isn't long before they fall into one of Team Rocket's classic pitfall traps. While the group are able to send Team Rocket blasting off, May's Skitty accidentally breathes in a lot of Ash's Torkoal's smoke and becomes sick. With no Pokémon Center around, they head over to a Pokémon Clinic, run by a legendary Pokémon Coordinator known for winning many contests with her Skitty, which has since evolved into a Delcatty. While she starts teaching May about contests, Team Rocket plan to steal both Skitty and Delcatty for Giovanni.