Brock finally returns home to the Pewter City Gym after having spent a while away, and is shocked to discover that a trio of renovators have convinced his parents to "fix" the gym so they can be more stylish. The only problem is that those "renovators" are Team Rocket in yet another Poke-snatching scheme, and Brock's parents are out of town on a vacation. Now Brock has to fight to get his gym back to the way it was.
- Amazingly Embarrassing Parents: Brock's Mom brings him home a rather tacky looking souvenir for her son as a gift. He's completely frustrated at it.
- The Bus Came Back: Brock's Onix (now evolved into a Steelix), his Crobat, and his Geodude make their first return to the series since they were last seen in Johto, as does Team Rocket's Delibird and Flint's Golem, not to mention all of Brock's family.
- Elemental Rock-Paper-Scissors: As typical for the show but Brock notably has some difficulty getting used to Steelix's new fire vulnerability at first, having it try to take Charizard head on like he would have when it was Onix and fire was no issue to it and getting it blasted. Eventually though Brock adjusts and starts makes use of Steelix's now more varied skill set with Iron Tail and Dragon Breath to turn things around.
- The Glomp: Brock’s Steelix essentially runs up to Brock and gives him a big hug by wrapping its tail around him. Brock even notes that it has a strong grip, meaning it must have been really happy to see him again.
- Put on a Bus: Charizard and Aggron are taken from Jessie and James due to both Pokemon being meant for Butch and Cassidy.
- Team Rocket Wins: Narrowly Subverted. Team Rocket almost beats Brock and Ash with their newly acquired Charizard and Aggron, but Ash and Brock pull it together and manage to turn the tide, causing Jessie and James to start bickering and lose focus.
- This Is Unforgivable!: Brock lets his parents have it when the two of them let Team Rocket redecorate the entire gym. Subverted in that he lets the issue go just this once, but Played Straight for Brock's siblings in regards to what Team Rocket did.
- Took a Level in Badass: Thanks to Forrest, Onix evolves into Steelix, while Geodude learns Sandstorm and Mega Punch.
- Yank the Dog's Chain: Team Rocket finally seems like they're on a winning streak when headquarters not only pays for the plane tickets for Flint and Lola to go on vacation, but they even give the two a Charizard and an Aggron that they use to stomp the twerps. Unfortunately for them, Meowth spoils their plan, Ash and Brock best the two, and it turns out the powerhouse Pokemon were meant for Butch and Cassidy.
