Brock is ready to travel again and has joined up with Ash, May and Max as they continue en route towards Rustboro City. In the forest they encounter a giant Zigzagoon, which they soon realize is actually a trainer in a Zigzagoon suit. The trainer is Nicholai the knickerboker; who believes in becoming one with Pokémon in order to understand them. When Nicholai learns thay May is the daughter of the Petalburg gym leader Norman and instantly asks for a battle, May accepts, however, Brock claim she is not ready as Torchic is still inexperienced.
In the battle Nicholai sends out a Mudkip while May sends out Torchic, Nicholai quickly changes into a Mudkip costume and orders Mudkip to attack Torchic with Water Gun, Torchic is then wiped out clean. Nicholai starts to make jokes on how easy it was to battle May and her father may be easier, this makes Max furious but Ash, Brock and May shrugs of the insult.
While having lunch, May realises Max is missing they go on to search for him. Nearby Max is seen with an handful of berries and drops them on the ground then out of nowhere a group of Zigzagoon comes for the food, when all the food is finished the group of Tiny Racoon's asks for more, but Max says there is no more. This makes the Zigzagoon angry as they start attacking Max. At that point Ash, May and Brock arrives and try to save Max, But before they could do anything a big Zigzagoon appeared, it's Nicholai, Nicolai tames the Zigzagoon and capture one of them.
After the apology from Max, Ash and Nicholai have a battle; Ash sends out Pikachu and Nicholai sends out his newly required Zigzagoon, however, it ends quickly with one Thunderbolt and Nicholai realises he still needs more training. Ash and friends part away from Nicholai as they continue on their adventure.