Template:Incomplete synopsis
Ash, Dawn, and Brock arrive back in Twinleaf Town after their long journey. The episode begins in the morning with a Starly clock waking up Dawn who shuts it off. Piplup wakes her up by using his Peck attack on her as she throws Piplup back on the sofa cushion. She realizes it's already morning as she opens her window mirroring the event from the very first episode. She comes downstairs greeting everyone as she asks where is Ash. They tell her that he's still asleep as Dawn, Piplup and Pikachu head towards his room. They peek through the open door seeing how Ash is still in tight sleep. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt waking him up out of his sleep. Dawn comments and says that breakfast is ready on which Ash reacts with immediate jump out of his bed grabbing Pikachu, but eventually ends up falling down the stairs.
Later at the table, Ash invites Dawn to come with him to Pallet, but Johanna says it's not possible as they learn that Dawn has a scheduled photo-shot with her Buneary in Hearthome and how she even might meet Fantina. Trio reflects on the past events as Brock unavoidably fantasizes about girls. Croagunk punches Brock from behind once again by his Poison Jab. It dawns to Piplup that the trio is going to split, going after their own path. Unable to handle the sadness, he tries to run away.
Meanwhile, Team Rocket receives a call from their headquarters as the secretary informs them about their promotion to advanced members. The scene switches towards Giovanni who's sitting in his office, observing the files of Jessie, James and TRMeowth ([[{{{2}}} (move)|{{{2}}}]]). The lady in suit remarks how they're perfect for the job.
The others give chase, with Pikachu riding on Staraptor to try to catch up with Piplup, but when Pikachu and Staraptor get in close range Piplup tries to attack and misses. Piplup bumps into Togekiss and finally starts crying. He then runs up to Pikachu and starts hitting him and crying, causing Pikachu also to cry. Togekiss hugs them both comforting them. The moment however is ruined by TRMeowth ([[{{{2}}} (move)|{{{2}}}]]) whose fake tears fool them as they end up captured once again by Team Rocket. Luckily, Ash and his friends find them as he orders to his Staraptor to use Brave Bird destroying the balloon and Torterra to use Leaf Storm freeing the Pokémon from the net. Free once again, Ash, Dawn and Brock engage together into a battle against the Team Rocket trio. The battle ends with a powerful combination of Piplup's Hydro Pump and Pikachu's Volt Tackle blasting off Team Rocket. Dawn hugs Piplup managing to calm him and comfort with her words.
Time of departure comes as Dawn thanks to her friends for everything. Ash and Dawn exchange their final high five while Pikachu and Piplup hug and say their goodbyes at last, after which Ash and Brock enter the ship sailing towards Kanto. As she looks upon her friends she becomes saddened realizing how they'll be gone, but Ash's words cheer her up as he yells out "No need to worry!" ("Daijōbu!" in Japanese) from the ship. She runs down the dock waving to her close friends and thanking them again for everything once again. Piplup jumps into Dawn's arms as they cuddle happily.
The next scene shows Ash and Brock on the crossroad between Pallet and Pewter. The two friends do a handshake as they tell each other to fulfill their dreams. The episode ends with Ash and Pikachu gazing over Pallet town.
