Our heroes continue toward Sunyshore City and Ash's next Sinnoh Gym battle. On the way there, some special training with Gible results in several wayward Draco Meteor attempts, which keep landing on Piplup's head! When it appears that neither Ash nor Dawn seems to care about the dejected Piplup, the Pokémon quietly decides to depart.

That's when Team Rocket (disguised as "The Pokémon Rescue Corps") sees an opportunity. They befriend Piplup and promise to talk to Ash and Dawn, righting the wrong. But really they just want Piplup to help bring Pikachu to them so they can catch it!

Having tricked Piplup into luring Pikachu into a trap, Team Rocket ensnares both Piplup and Pikachu. When our heroes find the two Pokémon trapped in Team Rocket's clutches, a fierce battle ensues. Piplup's anger at the whole situation enables it to use a new move—Hydro Pump, sending Team Rocket blasting off again!

After apologizing to Piplup for any bad feelings and vowing to stay together from now on, our heroes once again resume their journey to Sunyshore City.