Ash heads for the Hoenn region, bringing only one of his Pokemon with him - Pikachu. He's joined by May, a new Trainer just starting out on her Pokemon journey, and they pick up two more companions -Brock and Ma's little brother, Max. May decides to become a Pokemon Coordinator, competing in Pokemon contests instead. The Four kids travel throughout Hoenn, alternating destinations between Ash's badge battles and Mayes contests.