On their way to Laverre City, Ash and his friends stop for lunch. Chespin, as usual, is trying to steal Pancham's food, and the resulting scuffle results in Dedenne's food being spilled. However, Goodra steps in and shares its food with both Chespin and Dedenne, ending the conflict.
As the group prepares to leave, a man named Keanan and his Bellsprout come up and greet Goodra. Keanan explains that Goodra, when it was a Goomy, lived in the wetlands where he works as a warden. Although Goodra is apprehensive about visiting its homeland, it agrees to go along with everybody else to visit. While looking out over the wetlands, Keanan tells them how there is a special spring in the area that Goodra used to live near with its friends, but a group of other Pokémon came and began to try and take the spring by force. During the battle, a Blue Flower Florges sent Goomy flying, whereupon it landed on a Swanna's back and was subsequently dropped onto Ash's head. As the group sadly contemplates the story of what had happened, Goodra looks at the quiet wetlands and cries out, recalling the happy memories of its other friends.
Elsewhere in the wetlands, Goodra's friend Wooper hears its cry and tries to find Goodra. Wooper quickly follows the sound, and the two Pokémon are delighted to see each other again. Goodra's other friends, who followed Wooper, also come out to greet it. However, several Bug-type Pokémon also heard Goodra's cries and bring it to the attention of Florges, who is in the spring. As Goodra is showing its Dragon Pulse to its friends, a Swanna comes along and says something to the group, and all of the Pokémon follow Swanna. Although Ash wants to follow Goodra and the others, Keanan stops him, saying that matters between wild Pokémon need to stay between wild Pokémon. Promising not to interfere, they follow the Pokémon in order to cheer them on and see what happens. Goodra's other friends are being attacked by Florges and the other Bug-type Pokémon, but Goodra holds them at bay with its Bide attack. Rallying behind Goodra, the other Pokémon begin to put up a better fight against Florges's army.
Eventually, Florges comes down to have a battle with Goodra. Although Goodra is nervous at first, Ash reminds it that it is no longer the weak, frightened Goomy that it once was, and that it will be fine in the battle. After Petal Blizzard and Dragon Pulse cancel each other out, Florges uses Grassy Terrain, thus powering up its Grass-type moves. The powered up Solar Beam from Florges inflicts damage on all of Goodra's friends, putting Goodra on the defensive in order to take a super effective Moonblast for them. Very weak, Goodra almost gives in to Florges, but choice words of encouragement from Ash convince it to keep going. Goodra's newly learned Ice Beam attack then breaks through a second Moonblast and hits Florges, leaving Goodra as the winner of the battle. As everyone is celebrating Florges's defeat, however, a Shadow Ball and Psybeam attack come out of nowhere and hit Goodra. Simultaneously, a smoke-releasing device shrouds the entire area in a thick black fog that lifts to reveal the disappearance of Florges and the other Pokémon.
That evening, Keanan finishes treating Goodra as Pikachu, Dedenne, and Wooper look after it. Florges, meanwhile, is resting in the spring as Team Rocket explain their plan to defeat Goodra. It is also revealed that Florges has done all of this to protect her Floette. Listening to Team Rocket's advice, Florges orders an Ariados to kidnap Pikachu, Dedenne, and Wooper.
