After tying in the contest, May decides that she will head to Johto alone. After she and Max head back to Hoenn on a ship, Ash and Brock must depart as well. On the way back to Pallet, Ash runs into Gary and his Electivire, a new Pokémon. Gary refuses to battle and leaves. Ash finally arrives home and is greeted by the usual homecoming party. Finally Gary decides to battle with Ash. After losing to Gary, Ash leaves all his Pokémon except Pikachu and Aipom (who sneaks along) at Oak’s Lab and heads to the Sinnoh region.