Ash, who confirmed to take place in the Unova League, took a plane from Virbank City with his friends and Cynthia to Undella Town. On their way, they saw Wailord and Wingull. Cilan expressed that every time he looked out the window, he's deeply moved. Cynthia then explains that many Pokémon from other regions live in East Unova. They soon arrive in Undella Town.
After they land, Ash sees a red spot, which he thinks it's a Staryu. The gang sees the Staryu, when Meloetta quietly appears. Ash says that he's here for the Junior Cup, and they are going to win, get stronger, and then participate in the Unova League. While they are speaking, Cynthia 's butler, Jervis arrives, telling them to go to Cynthia's villa with his car. Suddenly, Team Rocket appears, saying that Meloetta is quietly following Ash and his friends. When it's time to go, Meloetta sneaks in Jervis's car, following Ash and friends to Cynthia's villa.
On the way, when Cilan is speaking to Cynthia, Ash saw Rattata, when suddenly Meloetta appears and sits on Ash's lap. Seeing Ash, Meloetta seems very excited, when Cynthia says that Meloetta must really like Ash, so that's why Meloetta keeps following Ash around. A while later, they arrive at Cynthia's villa, but when Jervis opens the villa's door, Meloetta suddenly disappears again...
Ash calls out for it to come back, but it doesn't come back. Iris says it'll come back later, and Cynthia says that it must surely be shy. The gang then goes into Cynthia's villa and when Ash gets to the living room, someone suddenly sneaks up on Ash and Pikachu and tap Ash's shoulder. Iris and Cilan just stand there wondering what's happening, and Ash turns around and sees Dawn! Ash is surprised and they exchange greetings and then give each other a high five. Ash then introduces Iris and Cilan. Ash also wishes to introduce Meloetta, but it begins to act shy and remains invisible.
After a long greeting talk, everyone goes outside to reveal their Pokémon to each other. Iris and Cilan send out all their Pokémon on hand while Ash sends out Oshawott, Pignite, Snivy, Scraggy, and Krokorok. Dawn then sends out all of her Pokémon on hand. Proving not to have lost her love interest for Pikachu, Buneary proceeds toward him. Oshawott then begins to show a brief love interest for Buneary, but Buneary ignores him and cuddles up on Pikachu. Then, Oshawott's scalchop falls off and Piplup tries to put it on, but it falls off and Pachirisu kicks it over a ledge making Oshawott chase after it. Right after this, Quilava reveals to Ash that it evolved. Right then, Mamoswine begins to hear Meloetta and Piplup notices as well. Ash then tells Meloetta that it is okay to show itself, and it does. After greeting Dawn, Piplup develops a crush on Meloetta. When Oshawott comes back with his scalchop, he notices that Piplup also has a crush on Meloetta, and a rivalry develops between them. Out of jealousy, Oshawott uses Aqua Jet on Piplup and Ash tells him to apologize.
After this long reunion, Ash asks Dawn to battle. However, Cilan interrupts and asks to battle first. Although disappointed, Ash allows Cilan to go first. Cilan sends out Pansage and Dawn uses Piplup. Pansage opens up the battle with Bullet Seed when Dawn commands Piplup to knock the seeds back with Drill Peck, making Pansage be the only one to take damage. Pansage then uses Rock Tomb and Piplup uses BubbleBeam as a Counter Shield to repel Pansage's attack. Cilan starts his evaluation time and eventually leads to commanding Pansage to use SolarBeam while Dawn commands Piplup to use Ice Beam. The attacks collide and create a shining light.
Upon seeing the beautiful display that Piplup and Pansage have put on, Meloetta becomes fascinated and begins dancing around with Piplup. Oshawott comes out of his Pokéball and sees this, while also seeing Piplup rub it in with a smirk. Oshawott becomes furious and Ash tells Meloetta that all four of them will be competing in the Junior Cup and that he hopes it will cheer all of them on. After this, Team Rocket is shown hiding behind a bush noticing that Meloetta is on the verge of becoming a "twerp Pokémon", and also begin talking about their plan to capture Meloetta.
As day turns to evening, everyone is on the deck drinking tea while Meloetta is over by the water sitting on a rock and singing its special song, soothing everybody. Meanwhile, Team Rocket along with Dr. Zager reveal that they are ready to begin their plot to catch Meloetta and also reveal that their plan will involve the Abyssal Ruins.
