Ash and co. waves to Morrison and Tyson as they set off for home. Then Ash and co. takes a boat back to Odale Town where they will split up for home. When they arrive at Odale Town, Brock cooks everyone a nice lunch. May is a bit disappointed to leave because she will miss Brock's cooking. Max suggests that they bring home some of Brock's recipes. Ash asks Max if he will say hello to Norman for him. Max nods his head. He also will tell his dad that Ash should've been the champion. Brock tells Ash that they have to stop by Professor Birch in Littleroot Town. May and Max wants to visit Pallet Town sometime. Max can't wait to see Professor Oak's lab.

Suddenly, Munchlax pops out from its Pokéball. Right ahead of Munchlax are a plate of rice balls. Munchlax opens its mouth and eats the rice balls in one bite. Ash sighs as that food was their lunch. Brock tells everyone not to worry. He brings out a second batch of rice balls. After lunch, everyone puts their hands together in the middle. Ash thinks it's hard to say goodbye after the many amazing adventures they have all had. Brock reminds May and Max to stay in touch. Finally, May and Max walk in one direction while Ash and Brock head in another direction.

Team Rocket approaches their headquarters. They stare at the building wondering what Giovanni will do to them. Jessie and James are ashamed of their hard work through the Hoenn area. Meowth tells his friends that they shouldn't be worried of what will happen to them because they know that they did a good job. They walk up to the gate and state their names. A woman calls up Giovanni. She tells him that Jessie, James, and Meowth are reporting to him. Giovanni tells her to let them in. Jessie, James, and Meowth walks into the room. Jessie tells Giovanni that their mission in the Hoenn area is now complete. Jessie also explains to Giovanni that Team Magma and Team Aqua has been defeated. Unfortunately for them, Giovanni already knows about this. Jessie adds in that they destroyed Team Magma and Team Aqua. James and Meowth agrees to this. Giovanni doesn't really care. He rewards them with their next assignment.

Jessie, James, and Meowth walks down the hallway discussing their new mission. All they have to do is steal some rare Pokémon. They dream that when they do, they will get many promotions. Two people on scooters comes speeding towards them. On the scooters are Cassidy and Butch. Butch calls them "losers". Jessie wants to know what Cassidy is doing here. James messes up Butch's name again by calling him "Biff", which makes him mad. Cassidy demands that they move out of their way as they are on some serious buisness. Jessie yells at Cassidy that Giovanni assigned them to a very important mission. Cassidy thinks that Jessie, James, and Meowth's mission is to take out the trash. Jessie gets mad at this, and she kicks Cassidy's scooter. Both teams begins to argue with each other. Another Team Rocket member runs down the hallway for Cassidy and Butch. He tells them that Professor Nanba wants to speak with them. Happy by this, Cassidy and Butch continues their way to Professor Nanba's office.

Jessie, James, and Meowth walks outside the headquarters. Jessie thinks that they have to change their strategies if they want to beat Cassidy and Butch. They need new phrases and everything. Then Cassidy and Butch runs outside. They fire up their rockets and fly away. Jessie, James, and Meowth are in shock at the nice equipment that their enemies have. They see a Team Rocket member and demand for him to get their new equipment. Down below is another Team Rocket member. He gives them pogo sticks which were assigned by Giovanni.

May and Max have finally arrived at home. Their mother welcomes them back, and May gives her a hug. Max tells her that they had a fun time in Hoenn. May notices that Norman isn't home yet. Her mom tells May that Norman went to the grocery store to buy some food for dinner. The group decides to go to the greenhouse where the Pokémon are held. Max greets Slakoth and Vigoroth. May throws her Pokéballs in the air, and all of her Pokémon comes out. Skitty hops on a tree and takes a nap. Bulbasaur smells the beautiful flowers, and Beautifly joins it. Combusken plays with Slakoth and Vigoroth. Munchlax begins to eat the food that's for Slakoth and Vigoroth.

Ash and Brock walk up to the point where Pewter City goes in one direction and Pallet Town in another direction. Ash wishes Brock a safe trip home. Brock tells Ash that their adventures in Hoenn were the best ever. They say goodbye to each other, and the two friends walk their separate ways. After a long walk, Ash sits by a river for a snack. A Poliwag surfaces the river, and Ash tells Max to look at the Poliwag. Ash almost forgot that Max is no longer with him. Ash tells himself that he forgot that him and Pikachu are now alone since he is used to having friends around. Pikachu tells Ash that they should head home now.

Ash is walking on the streets of Viridian City. Ash notices how pretty the city is today. Up ahead is the Viridian City Gym which looks brand new. A car stops in front of the gym. A man walks up and asks Ash if he's a Pokémon Trainer. When Ash says that he is, the man tells Ash that his name is Scott, and he is an agent. Scott asks for Ash's name. He assumes that Ash is going to challenge the gym leader. Ash tells Scott his name and says that he has already won a badge at the Viridian Gym. Scott thinks for a moment and tells Ash that he might qualify for the Battle Frontier. Suddenly, they hear a crash. A woman has fallen off her bike while carrying a bag of groceries. Ash runs over to her and helps her up. She thanks Ash for helping her. Ash offers to hold her groceries while Scott picks up her bike. She tells them to put the things in the gym. Ash asks if she works in the gym, and the woman nods. The woman introduces herself as Agatha, the new gym leader.

Ash, Scott, and Agatha walks into the gym. Ash notices that the gym looks a lot different since the last time he was in it. Agatha asks Scott if he has seen any good trainers on Seafoam Island. Agatha asks Ash if he came for a gym battle. Again, Ash says that he already has the badge to the gym. Scott tells Ash to forget about the badges. He wants Ash to battle Agatha for fun. Agatha says that she needs a real challenge. Yesterday, she easily defeated two trainers. Ash tells her that he made it in the final eight in the Hoenn League. Agatha and Scott are impressed at Ash's accomplishment. Ash accepts Agatha's challenge. Scott agrees to be the judge for the battle.

The battle will consist of only one Pokémon. Ash chooses Pikachu for the battle. Agatha sends out Gengar. Ash looks up Gengar in his Pokédex. Pikachu starts off with a Quick Attack. It charges towards Gengar, but then Pikachu goes right through Gengar's body. Ash forgot that normal attacks don't work on ghost Pokémon. Pikachu tries a Thunderbolt instead, but Gengar, making itself thin, slides on the floor under Pikachu. Gengar comes up from behind Pikachu. It fires a Shadow Ball which Pikachu easily dodges. Pikachu leaps up and whacks Gengar with an Iron Tail. Gengar hits the ceiling. Agatha notices the great speed that Pikachu has. Pikachu jumps into the air. Gengar uses another Shadow Ball attack. Pikachu jumps on the ball and heads straight back for Gengar with an Iron Tail. Gengar avoids the attack with a Double Team. Several copies of itself surrounds Pikachu. Each copy prepares for a Shadow Ball, but Pikachu hits them all with Thunderbolt. The real Gengar gets hit and lets go of the Shadow Ball. The attack heads straight for Pikachu, but Pikachu dodges the attack and hits Gengar with another Iron Tail. Pikachu is about to finish the battle off with Thunder when Gengar quickly gets up and uses Hypnosis. Pikachu sways back and forth. With a Dream Eater attack, Pikachu is knocked out. Agatha wins the battle.

Ash runs to Pikachu's side to make sure that it is okay. Agatha tells Ash that he put up a good fight. Ash thanks her for the compliment. Scott tells Ash that Agatha is a member of the Elite Four, so there was a small chance of him winning the battle. The reason Agatha didn't tell Ash before was that Ash probably would've gotten nervous. Because Ash didn't know about this, he fought well. Meanwhile, Team Rocket has been watching the battle the whole time through their binoculars. They notice that Ash's Pikachu has gotten more powerful. Meowth says that they have to steal it in order to get paid. Team Rocket hides their balloon behind the gym.

Ash and Scott walk out. Ash still can't believe that he was battling an Elite Four member. Scott asks Ash if he is still interested in the Battle Frontier challenge. Ash is very interested in this. Scott explains how it works. There are seven different places spreaded out through Kanto. Each place has its own Frontier Brain. If you can beat the Frontier Brain, you will be awarded with a Frontier Symbol, which is similar to a badge. If a trainer wins six battles, then that trainer will be given the location of the seventh place. Ash thinks that it might be fun.

Suddenly, a mechanical arm reaches out and grabs Pikachu. Team Rocket's balloon arises into the sky, and Team Rocket says their motto. Team Rocket tells them that they have a new and improved motto. Team Rocket begins to float away when something cuts the rope, freeing Pikachu. Agatha's Golbat cut the rope. Agatha tells Team Rocket that they should leave as thieves are not welcomed. Jessie sends out Seviper and James sends out Cacnea, who hugs him again. Seviper uses Bite, but Pikachu uses Quick Attack to grab onto Seviper's tail. Then Pikachu throws Seviper into the air. Finally, Pikachu uses Thunderbolt on Seviper, and Seviper is sent back inside Team Rocket's balloon. Cacnea fires a Pin Missile, but Golbat's Supersonic sends the attack back at Team Rocket. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt and Golbat uses Air Cutter. Both attacks collide into Team Rocket's balloon. Team Rocket blasts off again.

Scott has to leave now to search for more trainers. He gets in his car and drives off. Ash continues his way towards Pallet Town. He crosses a waterfall and gives Pikachu some Pokémon food. Ash can see Pallet Town straight ahead. Not much has changed since Ash's last visit. Ash runs inside his house. To his surprise, he finds Misty welcoming him back. Pikachu jumps into Misty's arms. Mrs. Ketchum and Professor Oak walks down to greet Ash too. Ash sees an Azurill next to Misty. Misty explains to Ash that Tracey gave her a Pokémon Egg, and it hatched into an Azurill. Mrs. Ketchum is really glad to see Ash. Mr. Mime comes out with plates of food. Ash wants to eat right away. Misty hoped on hearing some of Ash's traveling stories, but Ash wants to eat first. Then they hear a car horn. Everyone walks outside. Ash sees Professor Birch and Max at the front of his house. Everyone is happy as Ash and his friends are being reunited once again.

English Official Summary

The Hoenn League has ended and our friends must go their separate ways. Tyson and Morrison are off to new adventures; May and Max return to Petalburg while Ash and Brock head back to Kanto. Even Team Rocket goes back to headquarters and reports to a thoroughly unimpressed Giovanni. Butch and Cassidy show off their cool new jetpacks, so Team Rocket demands they get something cool too—and end up with pogo sticks. Ash is now alone, Brock having headed home to Pewter City. In Viridian City, Ash encounters Scott, a flashy fellow who wants to talk about the Battle Frontier. But first Ash ends up challenging the new Viridian Gym Leader, a woman named Agatha. With typical confidence, Ash sends Pikachu to battle Agatha's Gengar and forgets that as a Ghost-type Pokémon, Pikachu won't be able to hit it with normal attacks. Although Ash quickly adjusts his strategy and Pikachu does its best, it just can't beat Gengar. Still, Agatha is impressed that Ash at least showed some spirit. It's now that Ash learns Agatha is also one of the Elite Four, so it's great that Pikachu managed to last that long in the first place! Scott encourages Ash to try for the Battle Frontier, a series of seven challenges, but they're briefly interrupted by Team Rocket's latest short-lived Pikachu-snatching attempt. Once Ash finally makes it back home, he finds Misty and her new Azurill waiting for him—and Professor Birch and Max show up as well! A memorable get-together is in the works...

French Official Summary

Tyson et Morrison partent vers de nouvelles aventures ; Flora et Max rentrent à Clémenti-Ville tandis que Sacha et Pierre entament le voyage de retour vers Kanto. Même les membres de la Team Rocket reviennent à leur quartier général pour faire leur rapport à un Giovanni peu impressionné par leurs « exploits ».

German Official Summary

Tyson und Morrison gehen neuen Abenteuern entgegen. Maike und Max kehren nach Blütenburg zurück. Ash und Rocko machen sich auf nach Kanto. Sogar Team Rocket will zurück in seine Zentrale und erstattet Giovanni Bericht, der sich wenig beeindruckt zeigt.

Italian Official Summary

Tyson e Morrison partono per nuove avventure, Vera e Max tornano a Petalipoli, mentre Ash e Brock decidono di tornare nella regione di Kanto. Perfino il Team Rocket ritorna nel suo quartier generale, per fare rapporto a un Giovanni tutt'altro che soddisfatto.

Portuguese Official Summary

A Liga Hoenn acabou e é hora de Ash dizer adeus a seus companheiros de viagem e voltar para casa... mas ele não consegue resistir a mais um desafio de um Líder de Ginásio no caminho!

Finnish Official Summary

Hoenn-liiga on päättynyt, ja Ashin on aika sanoa hyvästit matkakumppaneilleen ja suunnata kohti kotia, mutta hän ei pysty vastustamaan vielä yhtä salijohtajan haastetta matka varrella!

Spanish Latin America Official Summary

La Liga Hoenn ha terminado, y es tiempo de que Ash se despida de sus compañeros de viaje y se dirija a casa, pero no puede resistirse a un desafío más de un Líder de Gimnasio en el camino.

Spanish Official Summary

Tyson y Morrison van en busca de nuevas aventuras; Aura y Max vuelven a Ciudad Petalia mientras que Ash y Brock se dirigen a Kanto. Incluso el Team Rocket vuelve a la oficina central e informa a un Giovanni muy poco impresionado.

English Great Britian Official Summary

The Hoenn League has ended and our friends must go their separate ways. Tyson and Morrison are off to new adventures; May and Max return to Petalburg while Ash and Brock head back to Kanto. Even Team Rocket goes back to headquarters and reports to a thoroughly unimpressed Giovanni. Butch and Cassidy show off their cool new jetpacks, so Team Rocket demands they get something cool too—and end up with pogo sticks. Ash is now alone, Brock having headed home to Pewter City. In Viridian City, Ash encounters Scott, a flashy fellow who wants to talk about the Battle Frontier. But first Ash ends up challenging the new Viridian Gym Leader, a woman named Agatha. With typical confidence, Ash sends Pikachu to battle Agatha's Gengar and forgets that as a Ghost-type Pokémon, Pikachu won't be able to hit it with normal attacks. Although Ash quickly adjusts his strategy and Pikachu does its best, it just can't beat Gengar. Still, Agatha is impressed that Ash at least showed some spirit. It's now that Ash learns Agatha is also one of the Elite Four, so it's great that Pikachu managed to last that long in the first place! Scott encourages Ash to try for the Battle Frontier, a series of seven challenges, but they're briefly interrupted by Team Rocket's latest short-lived Pikachu-snatching attempt. Once Ash finally makes it back home, he finds Misty and her new Azurill waiting for him—and Professor Birch and Max show up as well! A memorable get-together is in the works...

Russian Official Summary

После участия в чемпионате Лиги Хоенн, Эш прощается со своими друзьями и направляется в свой родной город. На пути ему встречается гим-лидер, и он принимает вызов на гим-битву, только позднее узнав, что это был представитель Элитной Четвёрки. От другого путешественника он узнает о то, что станет его следующим приключением: новая лига под названием Боевой рубеж.

Dutch Official Summary

De Hoenn League is voorbij en het is tijd dat Ash afscheid neemt van zijn reisgenoten en naar huis gaat—maar hij kan kan nog een laatste uitdaging van een Gym Leader onderweg niet weerstaan!

Norwegian Official Summary

Hoenn-ligaen er over, og det er på tide for Ash å ta farvel med reisekameratene og sette kursen hjemover. Men han greier ikke motstå en siste utfordring fra en Gym-leder på veien!

Swedish Official Summary

Hoenn-ligan är över och det är dags för Ash att ta farväl av sina resekamrater och bege sig hemåt—men han kan inte motstå ännu en utmaning från en Gym-ledare han möter på vägen!

Danish Official Summary

Hoenn-ligaen er forbi, og Ash skal nu tage afsked med sine rejsekammerater og vende næsen hjemad – men han kan ikke modstå en sidste kamp med en Salleder på vejen!