At a berry market, May meets a fellow coordinator named Kelly and her Grumpig, who takes them back to her mother's Poké Block shop and gives her some pointers in the art of making custom Poké Block, though May has some trouble getting the hang of it. Meanwhile, inspired by his Fortree Gym battle, Ash decides to teach his Swellow to use Aerial Ace just like Winona's Swellow, and begins taking lessons from a move tutor named Ralph, formerly known as Vladimir the Attacker.
Tropes
- Are You Pondering What I'm Pondering?: This exchange between Jessie and James:Jessie: Are you thinking what I'm thinking about Grumpig?
James: If it's reminding you of my ex-fiancee, then yes. - Cliffhanger: The episode ends with May beginning her performance, only for Combusken's flame to go out of control.
- Continuity Nod:
- During May's first meeting with Kelly, it's brought up that her last attempt at her third ribbon ended in a humiliating and disastrous loss due to letting her ego get out of hand.
- When Jessie wants to enter the Lilycove Contest with James' Chimecho, she cites that James owes her for borrowing her Dustox to compete in the Pokeringer Contest awhile back.
- Even Evil Has Standards: When Combusken's Fire Spin starts to go out of control and looks like it's going to hit May, even James and Meowth—who are in the crowd to support Jessie—gasp in shock.
- Lethal Chef: May struggles to make good Poké Block, and most of her team find one of her new recipes inedible with the exception of her Beautifly, who seems to like it.
- Now You Tell Me: While at the berry market, Ash tries a piece of berry one of the peddlers gave Pikachu, only to find it really sour. The peddler then explains that the berry is delicious to Pokémon, not humans, causing Ash to say this word-for-word.
- Power Copying: Ash begins teaching Swellow to use Aerial Ace, inspired by Winona's Swellow.
- Tom the Dark Lord: The master who teaches Ash to use Aerial Ace is named Ralph.
