Template:Incomplete synopsis
On their way to Castelia City, Ash and his Scraggy are battling Iris and her Axew. The Pokémon stare ferociously at one another as Ash calls for a Headbutt attack and Iris calls for Scratch. The two Pokémon dramatically charge at one another, and Scraggy headbutts Axew causing it to grab its head in pain. Axew quickly recovers and uses Scratch, but the move misses entirely. Instead, it causes Scraggy's "pants" to fall down and the Molting Pokémon quickly grabs them and pulls them back up causing Axew to laugh hysterically. Both Ash and Iris laugh nervously at the battle proceedings. Ash then calls for Scraggy to use Leer. Scraggy launches forward with the attack and inches closer and closer until Axew flinches. Ash gasps and nervously makes a comment to Pikachu. Iris gets pumped and tells Axew to use Dragon Rage which causes Ash and Cilan, who is preparing lunch, to jump in fear. Axew charges up to attack and ends up "sneezing" causing a large explosion. Axew looks around confusedly as Iris comes and picks it up. Cilan announces that lunch is ready, and Ash and Iris decide that it is enough training for today. From the grass, a Ducklett looks at the trio.
Ash's Oshawott comes out of its Poké Ball and Ash decided to let all his Pokémon out for lunch. But before he can, the ground beneath him and Pikachu collapses and he drops his Poké Balls and falls down the hole with Pikachu. As the rest of the group calls for him down the hole, the ground collapses again sealing the hole shut. Cilan calls out his Pansage to help, but Iris suggests that her Excadrill is better suited for the situation.
After the opening credits, we find out a Sandile is responsible for digging the hole. Ash and Pikachu continue falling down and eventually crash land. Ash asks if Pikachu is okay as the Sandile makes its presence known. Ash has a flashback and recalls the Sandile is the Sunglasses Sandile from the hot springs and realizes it dug the hole because it wants to battle Pikachu. Meanwhile, Iris calls out her Excadrill which refuses to help despite Iris's requests. Cilan comments on the Pokémon's "bad taste" and Iris recalls it. As Cilan is telling his Pansage to help, the Ducklett that was looking at the trio through the bushes steals Cilan's pan. Cilan notices it running away with the pan, and as he and Pansage chase after it. The Ducklett, in turn, uses Scald and the attack is deflected off of Oshawott's shell onto Iris until the Sea Otter Pokémon cannot block it any further and takes the rest of the attack directly causing it's head to turn bright red. Oshawott runs around in pain and then throws its shell to the ground in anger. It quickly runs after it and puts it back on its chest and smiles happily once its back. It glares angrily at the Ducklett who is now laughing as it flies away. Oshawott, Scraggy, and Axew chase after it and Iris follows after them. Cilan and Pansage return to the collapsed hole and plan to meet up with Iris afterwards.
