In the land of Alola, trainer Ash Ketchum is at his firm stance on a field. His longtime pal and Pokémon best friend has its body crouched to the ground, almost waiting for a signal to strike. Ash takes a deep breath as a slow gust of wind blows to his hair.
"Are you ready, buddy?" he asks his Pokémon.
"Pika," it replies.
With brimming confidence, Ash commands Pikachu, "Alright! Use Iron Tail!"
At his master's command, on a single strike, Pikachu unleashes its Iron Tail move that cuts (on X-shaped form) towards a tree trunk in front of them. Given such impact, it slices through the tree and it falls towards its right side. That enables for the path below it to be cleared and unblocked by the tree.
"That should do the trick."
After that, his friends cheer for him. As it turns out, Ash showing Pikachu's Iron Tail is just for that purpose for the Alola gang, composed of Mallow, Kiawe, Sophocles, Lillie and Lana, on an open van to pass through the trail.
"That's another wonderful showcase of Pikachu's powers," Sophocles remarks. "I can't wait to see more of that when you use your Z-ring again!"
"It's going to come," Ash implies. "But it won't be too soon for me and Pikachu to master it."
"Well, I'm sure you will do well when you two bond with your attacks," Lana says.
"Alright, get aboard now," Kiawe says. "We're going home."
With that, Ash and Pikachu board the van quickly, and the gang drives back to Professor Kukui's laboratory. The seven recently came from an excursion to an Alolan river town. After that, they decided to pass by the professor's lab to give him souvenirs.
Going there, the party stops at the front of the lab, just as Professor Kukui was about to get inside with some mail.
He hears the van stop by, and he greets them all. "Oh, never thought you would drop by here after your trip."
"We just can't help it!" Mallow exhilaratingly proclaims. "It was awesome! There's a lot to tell!"
"But don't know where to start…" Sophocles finishes her statement.
"Well, I am sure we can take the time inside," Prof. Kukui insists, which prompts for Mallow, Sophocles, Lana and Lillie to rush inside with the items they bought.
"Easy with the stuff," Kiawe says as he walks from behind.
Ash is about to step in, but Prof. Kiawe gives him a letter. "Hold on, Ash. I think this is for you."
"What is it?" he utters as he receives a golden envelope.
"From the looks of it, it may be something prestigious," Prof. Kiawe assumes before he steps inside with the rest.
With Pikachu on his shoulder, Ash checks out the sender, which only labels as "For Mr. Ash Ketchum". Afterwards, he opens the letter, avoiding accidental peels on the envelops, and reads the contents while he walks to the gang inside.
"To Ash Ketchum:
Your performance as a Pokémon trainer, having traveled six regions and travelling to another, has impressed the International Pokémon committee. On this honor, we would like to invite you at our annual Pokémon Equinox Cup, where all the finest Pokémon trainers who have excelled in Pokémon Leagues and other sanctioned contests gather together to compete and showcase their training prowess to the world."
When Ash reads the letter, the gang suddenly pays attention to every word from the invitation.
"…Contestants will be called to Twinleaf City in the Sinnoh Region. But the competition will be held at the newly opened Scarborough Island Arena at four days' time. The victor of the competition will receive the title of being an honorary Champion Master, an all-expenses paid trip around the Pokémon world on ten regions and the most valuable gem in the region, the Electric Gem."
Ash is overjoyed to receive such a magnificent news, while the rest of the gang joins along in this splendid occasion.
"Please confirm your acceptance of this invitation by registering on our website. We hope to see you there, future victor." After reading the letter, Ash cannot help but express his anticipation to his friends. "Guys, I never believe a contest like this would…come…"
"Come on, Ash!" Mallow shows her support. "You have to say 'Yes!'"
"We can't wait to see you battle against other champions from other regions!" Sophocles adds.
"Well, I have to say but go for it," Kiawe advises him. "It would be an honor to see a trainer I know would face victors from the past."
While he may accept the prospect of participating on a contest involving Pokémon champions, Ash thinks about his attendance in Pokémon school. He then points to Professor Kukui, "But Professor, about school, if it may be possible…"
But Professor Kukui stops Ash from there, knowing what he will say. "I know Ash. It's fine."
"Really?"
Professor Kukui assuredly nods.
At that news, Ash exclaims, "Alright! Can't wait to battle on a contest again!"
"We are proud of you, Ash," Kiawe says.
Ash suddenly has an afterthought, regarding his Alola pals. "Although, since this is going to be a tough battle, I'm gonna need a team."
When they hear his request, the rest of the gang are speculating.
"Ash, are you saying…?" Lillie wonders.
"Professor, I can't battle alone. I'm gonna need a support team with me." He then subtly suggests to bring Mallow, Sophocles, Kiawe, Lillie and Lana for the ride, ignoring the implications that this is another excuse to bring his friends to a larger-than-life tournament.
"Professor, would you, if in case?" Sophocles asks Prof. Kukui. "We know there's school. But we would be honored to support Ash."
"Yeah," the rest agrees, with Kiawe being a little silent.
"I know. But you all still have school," Professor Kukui expresses his concern. "But, I can let you…"
Hearing that news, the rest celebrate in joy. "YEAH!"
But the Alolan professor finishes, "But I have a condition: each of you would need to submit a report about your travels and what you learned in the Sinnoh region."
Mallow, Lana and Lillie wince on the assignment. But Sophocles reacts otherwise, "Fair enough."
"Well, at least you guys get to tag along," Ash points out the silver lining.
"If that's the case Ash, if I may ask, how you may be able to strategize over a week?" Kiawe asks.
"Hmmm…" Ash wonders, "You're right. I need to start training right now. And also assembling my perfect roster of Pokémon. I need to return to Pallet Town again, and retrieve my other Pokémon from Professor Oak."
"Well, where do we start?" Lana asks.
And with such cinematic stance and tone, Ash states, "My friends and Pikachu, we start in Pallet Town! LET'S GO!"
But even in the middle of excitement, it has to be ruined by one flaw that Lillie pointed out. "Shouldn't you register first?"
Upon hearing that, Ash petrifies.
"You need to save your energy later," Kiawe advises him, "We have four days to go."
"Well, you're right," Ash sighs.
With that, the gang returns to sorting out their souvenir and reading the entirety of the invitation.
Meanwhile, Team Rocket continues their devious deed on spying on the twerps, in hopes of capturing Pikachu or any valuable item or Pokémon they might stumble upon. But the news about the Equinox Cup gains their interest now.
"Do you guys hear what the twerp said?" Jesse initiates.
"Yes, it seems news about being invited for a thing called Equinox Cup," James answers the obvious.
"Whatever it is, it might be another get-rich-quick scheme that we can take advantage," Jesse suggests. "Or another trap to set for our precious Pikachu."
"Then let's go to the details that the twerps are receiving, and then create a gigantic scheme to take the glory we wanted," Meowth enunciates, with Wobbuffet agreeing.
James then browses from a tablet he obtained somewhere to search about the Equinox Cup. "Oh look Jesse! It seems that the Equinox Cup invites Pokémon champions, including those who win the Pokémon leagues, for an all-out tournament. Prizes include an around-the-world trip, a title as Pokémon Champion and a rare item called the Electric Gem."
Hearing the word "Gem" triggers Jesse to get more interested. "Gem? What gem?"
James then points to the part of the article referring to the Electric Gem. "This," he explains. "It says it is a gem that separates from other power gems. And it holds all-inclusive power of an electric type Pokémon."
Jesse suddenly becomes exhilarated about the prospect of tracking down the twerps towards the Equinox Cup. "You're right! This is at our most advantage! Do you know what this means, James?"
"That if we outwit the twerps, we will get a perfect target on that gem?"
"More than that. It means that we will gain honor and fame and a perfect target to get that gem!"
"That's what I said!" Also suddenly, the tablet beeps, which is a notification from his Team Rocket account. James checks out his account's inbox to receive a news about the Team Rocket's Sinnoh headquarters being destroyed, and Giovanni and Matori being missing from the base. The culprit behind the attacks is still unknown, basing on the report. "Jesse, check this out. The Sinnoh base was destroyed. And the boss is missing. Also Matori, if you care."
"WHAT?! The boss is missing?" Meowth replies.
"The boss is missing?!" Jesse reacts as well.
"Yes…in Sinnoh," James confirms.
Picking up the pieces together, Jesse thinks this is a double whammy for the trio. "That's it! We could sabotage the twerp's cup thingamajig and rescue the boss from the attack and get Pikachu! Would that be something?"
James replies, "Yes Jesse, I know but…"
But Jesse ignores him and goes along, "That's why we strike now! Let's go, chums!" It is obvious from James' and Meowth's eyes that they find trouble on keeping up with Jesse's wish fulfillments. Nevertheless, Jesse keeps humming.
"Are we going to stow away again?" James asks.
"Well, at least it's better than not cornering the twerps," Meowth replies. And Wobbuffet agrees, "Wobbuffet!"
At the peak of anticipation, Ash and the gang prepare for their travel back to Kanto. Lillie has her high-end bags lined up. Lana packs her belongings and grooms Popplio. Sophocles retrieves the gadgets he needed for the trip, most especially as DSLR camera. Mallow throws her bags around and scatters her stuff for organizing. And Kiawe takes the time to learn about the Sinnoh region.
Ash, meanwhile, lines up his Alolan Pokémon to his bagpack.
Pikachu jumps on his bed, also in excitement.
"Well buddy, looks like we are up for another battle," Ash says.
"Pika! Pika!" it replies happily.
"Don't worry. We'll always have each other. Here goes nothing."