When the episode starts Ash, Misty and Tracey are traveling to Pallet Town, they are all excited to be back, especially Tracey who is looking forward to meeting Prof.Oak and can't wait to show him his many sketchbooks.
When Ash arrives home, Misty and Ash are surprised to see Brock waiting for them in the house. They are confused as to why Brock had left Professor Ivy back on Valencia Island. He gives no reason as to why he left and when Ash and Misty mention Professor Ivy, Brock falls to the ground shivering saying "Don't mention that name..." ominously. Misty theorizes that she dumped him. Ms. Ketchum arrives home and explains how Brock came here: She and Mr. Mime found him on the ground in a grassland and took him home once she realizes who he was. Since then Brock has been helping around the house, with Brock fighting over the chores with Mr. Mime
Whilst discussing dinner, Tracey insists on seeing Prof. Oak. Ash is reminded of the GS Ball and shows Ms. Ketchum his trophy (Which she suggests she uses as a Dumbbell).
Ash, Pikachu, Misty, Tracey and Brock travel to Prof. Oak's laboratory with Team Rocket watching from a distance. Ash is welcomed to the house by his Muk who is crushing Prof Oak under his weight. Tracey ignores the situation and asks to show Professor Oak his sketches.
Ash hands Professor Oak the GS Ball and he puts it away to examine it later. Professor Oak then shows them around the Laboratory. Tracey sketches every Pokémon he sees and shows Professor Oak his sketches. Tracey nervously awaits Oaks approval, though he whispers to Brock that he "hasn't seen all the sketches so far but...". He is interrupted by Meowth activating a circus net that engulfs the Laboratory. Meanwhile Jigglypuff appears and tries to go through the net though it can't.
Inside the net Team Rocket are in and perform the motto while doing a circus act. They try to steal Pikachu, but Ash sends out his Muk to attack Lickitung. Muk ignores the Lickitung and goes on to hug Jessie. James sends out his Victreebel, which again Muk hugs. James tries his luck with Razor Leaf but it doesn't work. Victreebel tries to swallow Ash's Muk but it uses Poison Gas before it can use PoisonPowder. Lickitung uses Lick on Muk but it does nothing.
James commands Victreebel to use Sleep Powder on Muk which works, much to Ash's surprise. Ash switches to Squirtle and Bulbasaur. Team Rocket then throw rings around Ash, Misty, Pikachu, Professor Oak, Brock and Tracey which stops them from moving. A Super Sucker then proceeds to suck in every Poké Ball that are in the Laboratory, including Tracey's Sketchbooks. Meowth asks again why Brock came back though he doesn't give an answer. The last ball sucked is the GS Ball but then a rip in the tent appears caused by a mysterious man and his Nidoqueen. The Meowth Balloon falls to the ground, releasing every Poké Ball in it.
The mysterious man turns out to be Gary and the Nidoqueen attacks Lickitung by grabbing its tongue and swinging it into Team Rocket. Meowth tries using Scratch but it doesn't work, only breaking his claws. Gary tells his Nidoqueen to use strike attack, hurdling Team Rocket into the air.
Ash and Gary start a battle to prove who has become the better trainer over the the past months. "Will Ash have the hometown advantage or is he about to become the Local Loser?"