The kids are on their way to Verdanturf Town when they are waylaid by another Team Rocket scheme. May and friends successfully fight them off, but during the battle Skitty is blasted by Torkoal's smoke, losing its voice.
May brings Skitty to the nearby Pokémon clinic in Foothill Town. They meet Dr. Abby, who uses massage to help Skitty get its voice back.
Abby was once a Pokémon Coordinator, even winning the Grand Festival. But she retired after her pride got her into a Pokémon battle where her Skitty was seriously injured. A doctor from a Pokémon clinic helped Abby and taught her how to treat Pokémon. After receiving a Moon Stone to evolve her Skitty into Delcatty, she decided to become a full-time doctor.
Team Rocket arrives in disguise asking Dr. Abby to treat Meowth. While being massaged by Abby, Meowth talks out loud, revealing his identity. Team Rocket steals May's Skitty and Abby's Delcatty.
Team Rocket attempts to escape in their balloon, but Delcatty escapes and destroys the balloon. Delcatty shows off some impressive moves, teaching Skitty the move Blizzard in the process. The two cat-like Pokémon team up to take out Team Rocket.