As Clay returned to the Pokémon World Tournament, he discovers members of Neo Team Plasma, including Zinzolin of the Seven Sages, carrying something out of the Cold Storage.
"Oi, return that device, it's important for the Cold Storage" Clay demanded, to which Zinzolin replied "Clay, as a trainer of Ground-type Pokémon, you're in no position to argue. And I'm not worried about challenging you to a battle, my type advantage over you will lead to my easy victory", to which Clay replied "You underestimate my knowledge about Ground-type Pokémon. I know about their type advantages and disadvantages, so I've picked a team that'll help me triumph over you despite the Type Disadvantage"
"Show me then, Clay. Show me this knowledge. Sneasel, let's snow them down" Zinzolin sneered and Sneasel materialised.
"Alright Palpitoad, let's get to work" Clay responded and Palpitoad materialised.

Battle: Sneasel, Cryogonal and Piloswine VS Camerupt, Palpitoad and Mamoswine
"Sneasel, use Feint Attack" Zinzolin called, and Sneasel clapped to distract Palpitoad, then struck with a claw cloaked in anti-positive energy, dealing Moderate damage.
"Palpitoad, respond with Sludge Bomb" Clay commanded, to which Zinzolin replied "Sneasel, Protect", and Sneasel's barrier stopped the ball of sludge from damaging Sneasel. However, as soon as the shield fell, Clay commanded "Palpitoad, use Bulldoze" and Palpitoad shot waves of light brown energy at Sneasel, dealing a quarter of its health in damage and lowering its Speed.
"Sneasel, use Ice Shard, then follow up with Feint Attack" Zinzolin called, and Sneasel generated a shard of ice that it fired at Palpitoad, and Sneasel charged with its claw cloaked in anti-positive energy.
"Palpitoad, quick, use Scald to destroy the Ice and Burn Sneasel" Clay commanded, and Palpitoad shot boiling hot water at Sneasel, and though it destroyed the Ice Shard, Sneasel was able to cut through the Scald with Feint Attack.
"What the?" Clay asked, as Sneasel cut through and struck Palpitoad, dealing a third of its health in damage.
"Quick Palpitoad, respond with Return" Clay called, and Palpitoad's tongue became covered in white energy, which is used to smack Sneasel away, dealing Moderate damage.
"Palpitoad, quick, follow up with a Bulldoze" Clay called as Zinzolin commanded "Sneasel, use Ice Shard", and although Palpitoad took Minor damage from it, the waves of light brown energy struck Sneasel as soon as it landed on the ground, and did Moderate damage and further lowered Sneasel's Speed.
"Sneasel, end this with Ice Shard" Zinzolin called, while Clay commanded "Palpitoad, dodge it and use Scald", to which Zinzolin responded "Sneasel, use Feint Attack" and before Sneasel could strike with its claw cloaked in Anti-Positive energy, Palpitoad shot boiling hot water at Sneasel and KO'ed it.
"No, Sneasel, return," Zinzolin said and he withdrew Sneasel. "Now Cryogonal, snow them under" Zinzolin called, and Cryogonal materialised.

"Palpitoad, quick, use Return" Clay commanded, but Zinzolin replied "Can't let you do that Clay, Cryogonal, use Ice Beam" and before Palpitoad's white energy covered tongue could strike Cryogonal, it was KO'ed by a beam of cold energy shot from Cryogonal's mouth.
"Palpitoad, return, you did well," Clay said as he withdrew Palpitoad.
"Now Mamoswine, let's get to work," Clay said as Mamoswine materialised.

Meanwhile, outside the battle.
While Zinzolin and Clay battle, the Neo Team Plasma Grunts manage to get the Ice Magnifier to the ship and, with a little help from Colress, manage to get it onboard.
"Shadow Triad, we may need you to rescue Zinzolin, in the unlikely event he blows his battle against Clay," Colress said, noticing the battle. The Shadow Triad teleport next to Colress, nod, then head out.

Meanwhile, Ash's Rufflet defeats a Neo Team Plasma's Trubbish with a Slash attack, while Hilda's Dewott KO's a Neo Team Plasma Grunt's Krokorok with Water Pulse, forcing the last Neo Team Plasma Grunts to flee.
"Whew, looks like we've managed to clean up," Ash said, to which Hilda replied "Yeah. At least now Neo Team Plasma won't be a threat"
"What about Team Rocket though? One of the Neo Team Plasma Grunts said they'd been seen in the Relic Passage, what say we search for them, and make sure they're not threatening the Tournament as well" Ash asked, to which Hilda replied "Then let's go", and they headed for the Relic Passage.

"This'll be simple. Cryogonal, just float up out of the range of Mamoswine's attacks, then starts Flash Cannoning" Zinzolin said, and Cryogonal indeed did rise up into the air.
"Do you think that'll stop Mamoswine's attacks? Well you're wrong, Mamoswine, dodge the Flash Cannon then use Stone Edge" Clay commanded, and Mamoswine narrowly avoided the Flash Cannon and generated large stones that it shot at Cryogonal.
"Quick Cryogonal, use Reflect" Zinzolin called, and Cryogonal threw up a barrier that halved the damage it took, taking a KO down to three-quarters of its Hit Points.
"Another Flash Cannon Cryogonal" Zinzolin responded, and Cryogonal shot a beam of grey light at Mamoswine, dealing Considerable damage.
"Mamoswine, quick, use Iron Head" Clay commanded, and Mamoswine cloaked itself in a metal-like grey light, and charged, deflecting the Flash Cannon and forcing Zinzolin to add "Cryogonal, dodge it" but Cryogonal was hit, and KO'ed, although Mamoswine took another Considerable hit in the process of using Iron Head.
"How did that happen?" Zinzolin asked, to which Clay replied "Flash Cannon is light a metal light, which is reflected by a sufficiently powerful Steel-type Physical move. Normally it doesn't cause much since Steel resists its own type. But when it works, it works" Clay replied. Zinzolin just withdrew Cryogonal, then said "Piloswine, snow them under" and Piloswine materialised.

At that point, Reflect wore off.
"Just end this Piloswine, use Bulldoze," Zinzolin said, and Piloswine's waves of light brown energy KO Mamoswine.
"Mamoswine, get back, you did well," Clay said as he withdrew Mamoswine.
"Alright, this is risky. My last Pokémon is a Camerupt, who can hit hard with Fire-type moves. However, it's vulnerable to Ground-type attacks. I should be OK, but I can't quite be sure with these Plasma Scum" Clay thought to himself. He then said "Alright Camerupt, let's get to work" and Camerupt materialised.

"Pilowswine, use Bulldoze" Zinzolin commanded, and Piloswine shot waves of Light Brown energy at Camerupt, but Clay was ready.
"Camerupt, dodge then use Earth Power" Clay commanded, and Camerupt jumped to avoid the Bulldoze, then landed on the ground and sent a blast of Light Brown energy at Piloswine.
"Piloswine, dodge it then use Take Down" Zinzolin called, while Clay commanded "Camerupt, stop it with Flame Burst", and although Camerupt took Moderate damage from the charging Piloswine, cloaked in white energy, Camuerpt shot a burst of fire at Piloswine, dealing a third of its health in damage. Piloswine took additional minor damage from recoil.
"Piloswine, use Bulldoze" Zinzolin called, and Piloswine once again unleashed waves of light brown energy at Camerupt.
"So predictable. Camerupt, jump, then use Earth Power again" Clay said, and Camerupt once again avoided the Bulldoze, barely.
"Piloswine, use Ice Fang" Zinzolin commanded, and Piloswine cloaked its fangs in ice, avoided the Earth Power, then charged at Camerupt, dealing Moderate damage, while Camuerpt then restored a quarter of its health with a Sitrus Berry.
"Quick Camerupt, get it off with Flame Burst" Clay commanded, and Camerupt blasted a burst of flames at Piloswine, dealing Considerable damage.
"Now Piloswine, use Bulldoze" Zinzolin called, and Piloswine shot waves of light brown energy at Camerupt, dealing Considerable damage and lowering Camerupt's Speed.
"End this Camerupt, use Flame Burst" Clay commanded, and Camerupt just got the Flame Burst off to KO Piloswine before its Take Down connected.
Conclusion: Palpitoad, Mamoswine and Camerupt wins

Meanwhile in the Relic Passage.
Soon, Ash and Hilda reach the Relic Passage and start their search. The people in a red outfit notice Ash and Hilda approaching, and hide nearby, not wanting to start a confrontation, and also because both Ash and Hilda are not targeted.
"Wonder where Team Rocket got to?" Ash asked, but after a few moments of searching, they find a red-suited guy withdrawing his fainted Ferrothorn.
"Hey, have you seen a couple of young adults wearing a black outfit with a big red R on the chest?" Ash asked, to which the red-suited guy replied "Yes, they went that way, but you're unlikely to catch up to them"
"OK. At least we know they're, for now, not a threat" Ash said, sighing. He would have loved to make sure they weren't a threat, even if only for now.
"Well, we had better get back to the Tournament, and see if Neo Team Plasma have been repelled," Ash said, turning to Hilda, who nodded, and they departed.

After they were patched up, and their Pokénon, Nate, Rosa and Hugh all head out to meet up with Clay, Maximus, Trip, Ash and Hilda. Maximus and Trip both played their part, though off-screen, if repelling Team Plasma.

"No, I lost. How did I lose? This should have been a cakewalk" Zinzolin said as he withdrew Piloswine, to which Clay responded, "Because you didn't think that a Ground-type Pokémon Master would know how to counter types that are Super-Effective against my Ground-type". But at this, the Shadow Triad appeared, and one of them said "You will be punished Zinzolin. But, we managed to get an unexpected victory, which I'll explain back on the ship" and at this, the Shadow Triad teleported themselves and Zinzolin away.
"Hmph. I'll be informing the other Gym Leaders about Neo Team Plasma, as well as the group that's known as Team Rocket, we need to be on guard in case either group

attacks" Clay said to himself. He then turned to watch as the Plasma Frigate rose into the air and left, at very high speed.
"Was there anyone on that ship that shouldn't have been?" Clay asked, to which an Unova Defence Force member replied "No, your lockdown of the Arena saved hundreds of lives. Unova salutes you today Clay"
"Aw shucks, you're embarrassing me, I'm just doing my job" Clay replied, to which the Unova Defence Force member nodded, then departed.
"Alright guys, well done. You contributed to potentially saving the lives of hundreds of people today, thank you" Clay said, turning to face Ash, Hilda, Maximus, Trip, Nate, Rosa and Hugh. They nodded, thanked Clay, then they departed.

Hilbert was waiting for Hilda when she returned to the Pokémon Centre. And as soon as she did, Hilbert ran up to her, hugged her, and asked: "Are you OK?"
"Yeah, I'm OK. We had quite a fight with Neo Team Plasma, but we're OK" Hilda replied, embracing Hilbert back. Hilbert then turned to Ash, and said "Everything OK with you?"
"Yeah, we'll be fine" Ash replied. Hilbert nodded, then added "I'll go inform mom and the others that you're OK"
"Thanks, we've got to get to bed, I'm exhausted" Hilda replied, to which Ash added, "Yeah, as we said it was a tough fight, so we're really tired". Hilbert nodded, and after they gave their Pokémon to Nurse Joy, Ash and Hilda went upstairs.

Meanwhile, with Nate, Rosa and Hugh
"Rosa, can we please talk? Away from Hugh?" Nate asked, to which Rosa replied, with a sense of dread, "Sure". She then followed Nate to his room, while Hugh headed for his room.

When they reached Nate's room, Nate asked "Rosa, why didn't you tell me you're Ex Team Plasma?", to which Rosa sighed. She knew this question was coming and replied "Three reasons. Firstly, Hugh, he'll flip out if he knew, secondly, it wasn't exactly important until today, and thirdly, because I wasn't part of the faction we fought today, myself, as well as everyone in the little Pokémon Rehabilitation Centre I volunteered at with my mom, were under Rood, who lives in Driftveil City now, working to atone for their past"
"Oh, that explains it. Well, I do have one other question. Do you know anything about Neo Team Plasma?" Nate asked, to which Rosa replied "A little. Team Plasma has always been divided to some degree, between N's ideals of improving the relationship between people and Pokémon, and Ghetsis' faction, who want to take over Unova and be the only ones who can own Pokémon"
"Alright. I'm guessing you have no information about Neo Team Plasma now?" Nate asked, to which Rosa replied "I don't, sorry. I do have one request, and one question please"
"Ask away," Nate said, to which Rosa asked "To the question. Are you a member of the Police Force?", to which Nate replied "Yes. But don't worry, you're safe. You're not on the International Police Force's wanted list, nor is your mom due to her lifelong Good Behaviour Bond. And no, I will not be reporting this back to the International Police Force"
"Oh, alright, thanks Nate" Rosa said, to which Nate replied "Sure. Now, what's your request"
"Please don't tell Hugh. I will tell him, only when I'm ready to tell him" Rosa requested, to which Nate nodded. Rosa then finished with "Alright, thanks. That means a lot"
"Alright," Nate replied. Rosa then sighed, and departed, heading for her room, while Nate also went to bed.

Meanwhile, back in Relic Passage.
The four people from earlier met up to discuss very recent events.
"So, we've captured two members of that infernal Terrorist Organisation Neo Team Plasma," one of them said, to which a second one replied "That we have. Unfortunately, those Rocket scum escaped"
"That they did, and they KO'ed my Ferrothorn, somehow" the third member added. The fourth member asked, "What do we do?"
"Well, you can make up for your KO'ed Ferrothorn by following those Rockets and find out where in the Relic Passage they're going," the second member said to the third member, who nodded, said "Alright I guess", and departed. The second member then turned to the others, and asked: "Now what?"
"Well, we'll see if either of these Neo Plasma Goons can help us with finding those hidden parts of the Relic Passage" the first one replied, to which the second one added "The full Relic Passage crisscrosses the Unova region. If we find them all, then nobody from any Villainous teams will be safe from us, and from justice for their Seditious crimes"
"Alright. Let's do that then" the first one said, and they headed down another part of Relic Passage.

With Neo Team Plasma
"How did we do?" Zinzolin asked to the Grunts, and the response was "Well, we nearly defeated Jessie and James of Team Rocket, and we managed to get the Ice Magnifier from the Cold Storage, so that's good. However, some strange guys in red and a Ferrothorn attacked and, appears to have captured two of our members, and not only did we fail to capture Ash and Hilda, but we also failed to capture any civilians"
"So, we managed to continue on our ice plans, but we have nothing to bargain with. That's, annoying. Did they at least capture Jessie and James of Team Rocket?" Ghetsis asked, to which Zinzolin replied "We don't know, it was only two members who followed Jessie and James into the Giant Chasm"
"Alright. Send some spies out across Unova, to track down the fate of those Rockets. We cannot afford them to escape. Also, get that Ice Magnifier working, we won't be able to truly use Kyurem's power without it" Ghetsis said, to which Colress replied "It will be done Ghetsis"
"Then get to it. I need to talk to Zinzolin personally" Ghetsis said, to which Colress nodded, then departed.
"What did you want to talk about?" Zinzolin asked, to which Ghetsis replied "I have heard that you lost to Clay, despite a type advantage"
"It wasn't that simple. He had prepared for me. He used a Camerupt, a Palpitoad and a Mamoswine against me" Zinzolin replied. Ghetsis sniggered manically, then added "I had a feeling Clay would do something like that. He's one of those Gym Leaders, who always has an answer for everything. But that's beside the point"
"Ghetsis, my lord, I only engaged him in battle so we could get the Ice Magnifier back to the ship" Zinzolin responded. After a few moments, Ghetsis nodded, then said "OK. My big piece of advice for the future is to diversify your Ice-type team. Give it the best chance against types strong against you"
"I will my lord" Zinzolin replied, to which Ghetsis responded "You had better. I won't tolerate continued failure", and at that, the communication was cut.

Meanwhile with Team Rocket
Team Rocket has a lot to inform Giovanni about. They opened communications with Giovanni, and Giovanni asked "How went your assignment?" to which Jessie replied "Mixed. On the upside, we were able to identify how Neo Team Plasma itself conducts battles, and we avoided capture. Unfortunately, we were only able to battle two Grunts, so we only got limited intelligence on their strategies. Also, our battle was interrupted by, what is called a Ferrothorn, and some strange guys in red uniforms"
"Hold on, what? This wasn't part of the reports" Giovanni replied, shocked, to which James replied "We had no idea they were there either. But, we at least know of their existence in the Relic Passage"
"Alright, what intel did you obtain?" Giovanni asked, to which Jessie replied: "They're known to attack trainers as well as Pokémon, and they battle using mainly Poison and Dark-type Pokémon"
"Alright, noted. We'll take that into account, as should you" Giovanni replied, to which both Jessie and James nodded. Giovanni then added "Don't use the Relic Passage anymore with those red goons around, that would be my final piece of advice. Find a new hiding place", to which Jessie and James both nodded. The communication was then cut.
"Alright, let's go and find a new hiding place. Chargestone Cave would be a good place" James said, to which Jessie replied, "That'd be a good place to hide". They then got up and departed.