Our heroes in town where they ran into Tatum with their charge Herbie. They introduced Todd to each other, Todd opted to take pictures of Herbie's innocent interaction with the pokèmon. Togepi liked how the boy and his Chansey played with him.

There was a new breeding center in town that promised to pamper and polish your Pokémon, and maybe even evolve them. Tatum was a little skeptical about it. Misty decided to drop off her Psyduck at the breeding center in order to get its eyes fixed. Ash believed that Misty is planning on leaving the Pokémon at the center, but she tells him that no matter how annoying it is, she will keep it.

Todd and Herbie soon stopped when they see a poster on a restaurant door. The rest of our heroes soon stopped and noticed.

Brock said, "Hey, it's a restaurant!"

Misty grinned. "Come to think of it, I'm really starving!"

"I sure could go for that broccoli chicken." Laoise said.

"It's the Chicken fajita rollups for me," Tatum grinned.

"I like the tenders!" Herbie cheered.

Ash noticed the poster, "Hey, look at this!"

Misty focused on the words, "All you can eat, for free?! Alright! I'm heading straight for the desert bar!"

"It can't really be free, can it?" Ash was a little doubtful.

"There's gotta be a catch, you gotta order ten dinners to get one free." Todd pointed out.

"Well, I'd eat 10 dinners if they came with 10 desserts." Misty said thoughtfully.

"I call dibs on the pasta dishes. Mmm!" Laoise said.

Ash was taken aback.

Tatum adjusted their glasses. "Well, there's seven of us, so that means we'd have to consume three more meals to get the free one."

The door to the restaurant opens and the head chef comes out.

"No need to eat that much, unless yawl really want to!" The chef laughed merrily. the buffet is free on one condition.

Everyone looked at him, "What's the condition?"

The Chef replied. "Well, just show me my favorite Pokémon and I'll treat you to all the food you can eat! Plus, all the deserts you can eat, too!"

Everyone excitedly agreed, surely one of them had his favorite pokèmon.

All of Ash's Pokémon materialize, save for Charizard. The Chef looked at them closely, and our heroes watch hoping that either Pidgeotto, Squirtle, or Bulbasaur is Chef's favorite Pokémon.

"None of these." The Chef shook his head.

Everyone stumbled and Ash fell in disbelief.

"Well, how about Pikachu?" Ash held up Pikachu.

Pikachu looked at the Chef with hopeful eyes, "Pikachu!"

"I'm afraid not." The chef said.

Ash and Pikachu lowered their heads in disappointment.

Brock was next, "Maybe your favorite is Onix, or Geodude, or Zubat, or, maybe, it's Vulpix!"

None.

Then it was Misty's turn, "Well, how about Goldeen? Staryu, Starmie, Horsea, or, maybe, my Togepi!"

"None of them is my favorite." The Chef said glumly.

Laoise gave it a try with the pokèmon she had at hand, "How about my Oddish, Leafy? Or maybe it's my Gengar, Tricky! Maybe, Vaporeon, Flareon, Leafeon or my Jolteon?"

"None of them." The chef said politely.

Herbie questioned, "What about my Chansey?"

The Chef shook his head, "Sorry, son. She's a sweet one but that's not my top favorite."

Tatum tried their luck, "Perhaps my Quaxley, Donald? My Squakabilly, Elvis? Or Herbie's new Lilipup, Jock?"

Laoise and the others were stunned seeing foreign pokèmon before them.

The Chef replied. "They're fine Paldean and Unovan pokèmon, but they're not my favorites."

"But that's all of our Pokémon!" Misty whined.

"Maybe it's a Pokémon we haven't caught yet." Ash surmised.

The Chef pulled out a photo and showed it to the group, "This is my favorite Pokémon."

"Psyduck?!"

"You're a Psyduck fan?" Brock and Tatum gaped.

Misty then asked the Chef if the restaurant will still be open later in the evening. The owner informs her that he will be, and the group heads back to the breeding center to retrieve Psyduck, only to find it closed. Todd suggests they could wait until tomorrow, but Misty angrily insisted. Snooping around the rear, they find a backdoor. Misty furiously knocks, though she soon noticed the door is unlocked, and the group walked inside.

They rounded a corner and enter a darkroom. Brock shone his spotlight, and he and the others are shocked to discover all the Pokémon in cages. Misty located her Psyduck and is initially thrilled to see its eyes have been lifted to give it a more intelligent look. However, Brock pointed out that tape is holding Psyduck's eyes in position, and Misty quickly peeled it off. The group also found a conveyor belt leading into another room. The group then overheard Butch and Cassidy, who are in the other room, revealing their scheme and deciding which Pokémon to give to their boss. Todd took pictures of the fake breeding center and the cages as evidence, but Butch saw the flash. The gang hid as when Butch comes to investigate. Pikachu used an electric attack from inside one of the cages, making Butch think that the flash they saw was from Pikachu's electric attack.

Then, Jessie, James, and Meowth arrived to steal the Pokémon, unaware that Giovanni did not inform them that the breeding center was being run by Butch and Cassidy, fearing they might screw it up. Ash confronts and scared Team Rocket as James attempted to pick one of the cage's locks. They request Team Rocket's assistance in freeing the Pokémon, but they mistakenly believe that they are also trying to steal the Pokémon. However, Butch and Cassidy catch them, and Jessie recognizes Cassidy, though James doesn't. Butch and Cassidy promptly recite their motto with Cassidy's Raticate.

As the two Team Rocket teams engage in a heated argument, the gang attempts to leave quietly but the don't escape Cassidy's line of sight.

"Not so fast, children! Now that you know our little secret, I'm afraid we can't let you leave."

That was their cue to run for it.

Ash yelped, "We don't know anything about any secret!"

Brock added, "We were just trying to get a free all you can eat buffet!"

"You kids can't get away from me, I'm no pushover like Jessie." Cassidy taunted.

"You're a very mean lady!" Herbie cried back, making Tatum pull him back.

"Let's just keep running!"

James goes to pick up his Weepinbell, only to discover that it has evolved into a Victreebel. He is excited and his Pokémon latches on to his head as they try to make their escape. Then, a cage drops down on the troublesome trio.

Meanwhile, the rest of the gang is rushing for the way out. Suddenly, a cage drops down on most of them, except for Laoise, Misty, Togepi, Herbie, Chansey and Pikachu.

Ash grabbed ahold of ther bars, "We're trapped!"

"Tatum!" Herbie held the bars, and tried to open them in hopes of freeing his chaperone and friends.

Herbie's Chansey tried to lift it but was unable to do so. "Chansey." She shook her head.

Misty looked around nervously, "What do we do?"

"Misty, you and the rest better hide!" Ash urged her.

Tatum looked to Herbie, "Herbie, you too, go with the girls. Quick."

"We'll free you somehow!" Laoise promised.

Then she, Misty, Herbie and the rest hid from sight. Cassidy and Butch showed up in the hallway not long after.

"Our rat trap worked." Cassidy looked down on them.

Ash glared at her, "You crooks better let us out of here!"

Butch then noticed Todd's camera. "What's that?" And he took it right out of Todd's hand.

Todd protested, "It's mine!"

"Heh. You won't be needing this."

So those two framed Ash, Brock, Tatum, Jessie, James, Meowth, and Victreebel as burglars, persuading Officer Jenny to arrest them all.

As the police head to the station, Misty, Pikachu, Laoise, and Herbie watched from an alley.

Misty worried, "Oh no! Now we've got to find a way to convince Jenny that they're innocent."

Pikachu nodded. "Pika."

Misty began to pace back and forth, "Think, Misty. There's gotta be some way."

"If only we had some evidence." Laoise stuffed her hands in her pockets.

"Photos help?" Herbie suddenly piped up.

Both Misty and Laoise turned and brightened at him. "That's it!"

"All we have to do is show Jenny some of the pictures Snap took!" Misty said.

"First we gotta get that camera." Laoise added.

The next day, Misty returns to the breeding center in disguise and asks Cassidy to retrieve her Psyduck for an emergency. Cassidy accepts the request and heads to the backroom, while Pikachu sneaks around and picks up the camera. Laoise and Herbie were at the backdoor ready in the vent either Misty or Pikachu are spotted.

While Misty waits, Cassidy returns and admits that Psyduck hasn't improved since it first entered the breeding center. Just then, Pikachu returns with the camera in hand and they quickly flee, leaving Cassidy confused.

Laoise, Misty and Herbie confront Officer Jenny and show her Todd's pictures, exonerating him, Ash, Tatum, and Brock. As for Team Rocket, the rest refused to clear them of any wrongdoing and they remain in jail.

With the evidence, the gang Officer Jenny confront Butch and Cassidy. A battle ensues, during which Pikachu defeats Raticate with a Thunderbolt. Ash's Bulbasaur captures Butch and Cassidy with its Vine Whip, and they are quickly hauled off to jail. Brock thanks Todd for his pictures and Jenny states that she will help return the Pokémon to their rightful owners. As thanks for their assistance, she escorts the group to the buffet restaurant.

Soon, our heroes are at the restaurant and eating up a storm (they hadn't eaten in all the occurrence), especially Misty with the ice cream and Laoise with the pastries and milkshakes.

Misty raised her empty plate, "More ice cream!"

"Can I have a baked Alaska with a peanut butter milkshake, please?" Laoise waved.

The boys were all eating a dish of omurice, Tatum had his roll ups while Herbie was happily finishing a sundae with his Chansey.

Ash said, "Take it easy!"

Brock added, "Yeah, leave some for the other customers."

"Plus, you're both bound to get a brain freeze that way!" Tatum said.

Pikachu was on the side of the table staring, "Pikachu Pi."

Officer Jenny said, "Don't worry, there's plenty of ice cream left, you two."

The Chef stood behind the counter. "And all of it's free, since you brought this cute little Psyduck to visit my restaurant." He placed an arm around Psyduck.

Misty smiled, "You have good taste!"

"Wanna berry cobbler." Herbie called.

"Ah well, you convinced me. Mind if I get a plate of that too?" Tatum raised their hand.

Chef nodded. "Coming right up! It's got the best picks of the orchard too!"

Meanwhile, at the jailhouse. Team Rocket has dug a hole in their cell and are using it to escape.

"I can't stand it here! There's not a single mirror in our cell!" Jessie complained.

James whined, "I refuse to wear those horrible prison uniforms!"

Meowth spat, " And I wouldn't give this food to a Muk!"

"We shouldn't have tried to steal from that friend of yours, Jessie!" James griped.

Jessie answered back, "I'll show her who's the queen of mean!"

Later, our heroes have come to a crossroads.

"I guess you guys are all heading for Cinnabar Island, right?" Tood guessed.

"That's right!" Ash confirmed.

"Yep, there's a couple badges with our names on it!" Laoise said.

Todd nodded, "Well, I think I'm gonna head up to the mountains, so I can take some new shots of wild Pokémon."

Tatum jerked a thumb at the road, "Me and Herbie are headed home for Paldea, there's an airport en route where Todd's headed."

So the group separates bidding farewell to Todd, Tatum and Herbie.

Thanks to a few photographs, getting out of jail was a snap for our heroes. As they continue their journey, who knows what adventures lie ahead? Or below?

Unbeknownst to our heroes, Team Rocket was digging their tunnel right underneath.

"James! Watch where you're throwing that dirt!" Jessie gripped.

"Watch? I can't see a foot in front of my face!" James responded.

Meowth yowled, "If you don't quit squawking, you'll see a foot in front of your face! Mine!"

They've reached the coast at last, Laoise called home to let her family know where she's headed. Hopefully this ship remains working and in one piece. Although the idea of being this close to a volcano made her anxious.

She and Ash were getting closer to entering the Pokémon League. Now they're ready to compete for their seventh badges, the Volcano badge. As our heroes sailed towards Cinnabar Island, who knows what surprises await them?

Misty looked at the horizon, "I can't wait till we get to Cinnabar, it's supposed to be beautiful."

"Its got an awesome volcano." Brock said, "Best of all, its Pokémon Research Laboratory is one of the best in the world. Trainers come from all over to learn the latest Pokémon techniques."

Ash declared, "I'm heading straight for the Cinnabar gym! And my next badge."

Pikachu nodded, "Pika."

"Likewise me." Laoise agreed, "It's gonna be our seventh gym, and after that, just one more and then we can head to the Pokémon League!"

Soon, a familiar voice is heard, that of Gary Oak.

"Don't worry, girls! You'll all get a chance to take a picture with me!" Gary then noticed Ash and Laoise and the others. "Hey! Who let the loser, the midget and their whole posse on the boat?"

Ash gaped. "Gary? You're going to Cinnabar Island?!"

Our heroes see all the passengers aboard the boat relaxing, diving into the pool, having a drink, and enjoying themselves.

Ash sweat dropped, "Gee, there sure are a lot of people on this boat. And I bet all of them are Pokémon trainers."

Gary scoffed. "Trainers? Pokémon trainers haven't gone to Cinnabar Island since you and my grandfather's days as trainers! These people are all tourists. Cinnabar Island's a resort."

Ash and Laoise stumble and Pikachu fell off of Ash's backpack when they hear what Gary said.

"It's a resort?!" Ash griped.

"I've earned so many badges already, I'm taking a break to work on my tan." Gary was on a lounge chair relaxing.

"He's so cool." His cheerleaders gushed.

"A real trainer never takes a break. Just ask my coach or Laoise. So while you're tanning, we'll be at the gym winning our badges!"

"From what I've heard, Cinnabar Island doesn't even have a Pokémon gym anymore."

"Gary knows it all." The cheerleaders said.

"What do you mean? It's gotta have a gym!" Ash protested.

Gary dismissed him. "Well, you two can believe what you want to, but you'll see for yourself."

"Then answer me this, did YOU get a Volcano badge?"

Gary didn't even bother to glance at her, "Maybe I'll show you if I did or not, one day. Either way, all of you are wasting your time."

"We'll see who's wasting time." Ash scowled.

So did Pikachu. "Pikachu."

Soon, the boat reaches Cinnabar Island, but our heroes are disappointed when they don't see a gym right off the bat when they dock and disembark from the boat. As they move forward, Jigglypuff followed them at a distance.

"No sign of a Pokémon gym, but there sure are a lot of tourists around here." Brock said as they walked around, "There're so many nice islands, I wonder why this one became so popular."

Soon, our heroes stopped in front of someone. A man wearing a red orange long sleeve loose Hawaiian v-neck shirt with a matching green long necklace on his neck and purple at the edge, as well as some red pants and black boots.

"The answer is a riddle. What do tourists think is hot and cool?"

Our heroes stand in wonder, thinking about what the riddle they were given.

"I know the answer to that one!" Ash said, "If you lie down in front of an open refrigerator and you wrap yourself in an electric blanket, you'll be hot and cool at the same time. Right?"

The stranger was befuddled. "Totally, wrong."

Laoise murmured, "Well, to answer this riddle, we'd have to think like the Riddler."

Misty mused, "Hot springs are really hot, and.. And tourists think they're cool!"

"That's right! You see, friends, because of the volcano, there are lots of hot springs here on Cinnabar Island." The man confirmed then whined dramatically, "And every year, more and more tourists come to visit em. Now, they've even taken over Cinnabar Island. Trainers don't come anymore. Tourists! They've ruined the island!"

Laoise raised her hand, "But we have a question."

"Is the Pokemon gym still here? We have to earn that Volcano badge." Ash said.

Misty remarked, "I heard that the gym leader was a guy named Blaine."

"His gym, is right where you put your glasses." The man presented another riddle.

"Right before your very eyes?" Laoise guessed.

"Got it right! Blaine's gym is right in front of your eyes!" confirmed the local.

The man points and sees a building all dilapidated. For the Gym has been abandoned. The local tells them the story of how Cinnabar Island was once a hot spot for Trainers, but tourism took off due to the rise of hot springs resorts situated near the local volcano. The Cinnabar Island Gym Leader, Blaine, closed down his Gym due to being forced to battle tourists who had no interest in obtaining Badges.

'If that's the case, there's no way Gary got him a Volcano badge. He must have gotten a substitute for it.' Laoise thought ruefully.

Ash protested, "But me and Laoise aren't just some stupid tourists! We're real trainers! We came all the way out to this island so we could battle for our Volcano badges!"

"I'm afraid you came to the wrong place, my friends." The man said sympathetically.

Laoise cried, "But what more can we do? We need eight badges to get into the Pokémon League, and number 7 is extinct!"

"Here's my card." The man handed Ash his business card, showing that he owns an inn. "If you need anything."

Ash took the card "The Big Riddle Inn."

"An inn? How can you run a hotel and then blame tourists for ruining the island?" Misty questioned, "That doesn't make any sense to me."

"Me neither." Laoise looked up and notices the man's gone. "Hey! Where did he go..?"

Everyone looked and sees that he's gone.

Brock remarked, "I wonder how he disappeared like that."

"He sure was weird." Ash said.

…

By sundown, the gang was walking around the area, deciding to explore the world-famous Pokémon Lab. There, they discover that it too has been turned into a tourist trap.

Finding nothing else to do, they decide to look for lodging, but find that all of the rooms at the local Pokémon Center and the hot springs resorts have all been booked.

Our heroes walk away from the hotel they checked low, tired and hungry.

Ash murmured "I'm so hungry, I could eat a Horsea."

Misty mumbled, "I'm too tired to eat. I just want a nice, soft bed."

"I'm hungry and thirsty all at once." Laoise sighed.

Ash turned around and hears music coming from the hotel they just came from as well as smells something coming from the same place.

Brock said, "I've had it! Let's just find a spot to camp out!"

"Hey. That smells good." Ash started walking toward the source of the smell and music.

The others hurried after him, reminding Ash that the hotel was already full.

"Ash, come on let's just find a nice meadow to rest up in." Laoise said.

Soon, Ash sees silhouettes behind the door where the music and smell are coming from.

"It's not fair. They're having a banquet in there." He whined.

Ash's stomach starts growling again as one of the silhouettes gets up, and opens the door to reveal itself to be Gary, much to Ash and Laoise's chagrin.

"I thought I heard something out here. Hey, look! It's the sucker squad!" Gary taunted, "So, what hotel are you all staying in?"

Laoise replied, "There aren't any hotels with rooms available so…"

Ash finished. "We're camping out."

Gary mocked, "Too bad you don't have a place like this. Take a look."

Everyone look inside and sees Gary's squad of cheerleaders and an Electabuzz and Hitmonlee wearing traditional Japanese costumes and holding two shamisen and are in shock over how much food they have.

"See all the food they give ya? And that's just the appetizers." Gary gloated, "Say, I've got an idea. I'll give you my leftovers in a doggy bag, if you spin around three times and say Pikachu."

Ash refused. "Not on your life! I'd die of hunger first!"

Ash's stomach started growling again.

Gary laughed, "You should let your stomach do the talking."

Pikachu tried to do what Gary says, but Ash stopped him. "No, Pikachu! We'll never get so desperate that we have to sink to Gary's level."

Ash's stomach started growling again.

Gary laughed harder. "Even your Pikachu feels sorry for you, Ash! I've never seen anyone so pathetic!"

Misty grumbled, "Have you tried a mirror?"

"And, coming from the guys who picked up fossilized pokèmon...?" Laoise smirked.

The sound of feedback cut off the word Laoise used.

Gary fell over, eye twitching. Then he got up. "That was a low blow, Lollipop McGee!"

"My days of not taking you seriously have come to a middle." Laoise said flatly.

Brock just said, "Let's go, guys."

Before our heroes can leave, they spot Jigglypuff coming out.

"Great, that must be the entertainment." Gary said.

Our heroes spot the Jigglypuff and run for the hills, though Togepi jumped out of Misty's backpack, only for Pikachu to catch it and catch up with the others.

Laoise attempted to catch Jigglypuff herself, only for the others to drag her away.

Meanwhile, Jiggypuff gets on a stool and prepares to start singing as Gary and his cheerleaders applaud it. Jigglypuff started singing and puts everyone to sleep, to its frustration.

Upon a hill overlooking the bright lights of the touristic areas, our heroes have stopped to catch their breath after running off so fast.

"Aw nuts..." Laoise slouched

Ash sat on a stone bench. "Yeah, that was a close one. Jigglypuff almost got us."

Misty mumbled. "Yeah, but at least those guys are sleeping now."

Brock asked, "Ash, what about that card that old guy gave you? "

Ash gets out the card, "Must be directions to his hotel."

Brock and Laoise examined the card closer.

"There's something written on it."

Brock stared, "Huh? That's strange. If you look near the swing, you'll see my hands. Or at least my face.

Ash groaned. "Not another riddle!"

Brock looked behind him to his left. "There's a swing over there, but I don't see anybody's hands or face."

"Me neither."

"You'll see my hands, or at least my face." Misty then pictured a clock. "I've got it! He means a clock!"

Ash said, "A clock?"

Pikachu stared, "Pika?"

Laoise pointed, "Look, up there! There's a clocktower, that's gotta be the Big Riddle Inn!"

Everyone looked up over the trees behind the swings and sees a building with a clock, the Big Riddle Inn. Soon, our heroes reach the inn and are greeted by the same man from before)

"You did well to crack that tough riddle!" The stranger congratulated.

"That was an easy one." Misty smiled.

"As a prize, I'll give you all free rooms at the hotel."

Ash said, "Your riddles may be dumb, but your prizes are terrific!"

"I guess I'll take that as a compliment, Ash."

Ash's stomach started growling again, causing him to laugh sheepishly.

The man sweat dropped, "Well, guess you want dinner, too."

"Right."

However, before they can settle in, the local receives a phone call, informing him that the Pokémon Lab, home to various Fighting-type Pokémon, is under attack from a balloon. Figuring that Team Rocket is involved, Ash and his friends arrive at the scene, and quickly dispatch the balloon with Pikachu's Thunderbolt whilst riding on Pidgeotto.

On the roof of the lab, the rescued Pokémon celebrate.

"As someone who lives here on Cinnabar Island, I'd like to thank you for saving the laboratory pokémon. You all deserve a big reward, so I'll let you in on a little secret. Blaine built a gym that tourists never see." The man said.

Our heroes eyes light up with excitement when they hear the news.

Ash blinked, "He did?"

"So we'll be getting our battles and badges after all! Can you tell us where it is?" Laoise asked brightly.

"It's in the place where firefighters can never win." The man nodded and said his riddle.

Ash fell over in disbelief that they have to solve a riddle to find the gym. "Another riddle? What kind of reward's that?"

The answer to the riddle that's the reward, as it would be the location of the gym.

To be continued…

Author's note: Yeah, decided I'll put the rest of the episode in the same chapter as 'Volcanic panic'. I have to work on Laoise's gym battle for her volcano badge.