While Ash and Serena do some special training and Clemont works on his inventions, Bonnie explores the forest, where she meets a trio of kids who call themselves the Lapras Defense Force. They show Bonnie to their hideout and introduce her to their friend Lapras, who is recovering from an injury and seems to be running a fever. The three of them really don’t trust grown-ups, but when Ash, Serena, and Clemont come looking for Bonnie, the kids reluctantly agree to let Nurse Joy make a house call to their hideout.
After some medical attention, Lapras is feeling much better, but it keeps looking out toward the water and crying. Clemont figures out that it misses its ocean home, and the kids decide to take it back there. Despite a boulder blocking the way and a run-in with Team Rocket, Lapras is soon reunited with its family.
Bonnie bids farewell to her new friends, and our heroes resume their trek to Coumarine City!