Team Rocket are in their secret base, sitting around a table producing paper bags with a stamped Bewear logo. Jessie gets off her chair to get the group a snack. She quickly realises there is only one cream puff left in the fridge, which James states his is. Before Jessie can take a bite (James's) uses a new move, Knock Off on Jessie. The cream puff lands on the floor next to (Jessie's), and is quickly eaten to everyone's horror. Meowth points out Mareanie used a dark-type move, Knock Off, to Jessie and James' delight. Jessie notes both Mimikyu and Mareanie now both know a dark type move, meaning they will are both compatible with their Darkium-Z stone, all they need is a Z-Ring to perform the move.
A call comes through from Team Rocket Headquarters, it is Giovanni and Matori. Matori is quick to point out Team Rocket have been making slow progress. In the midst of the scolding, Jessie whispers to Meowth that she has an idea to set the record straight, announcing the trio's plan to use Z-moves. Matori states that in order to use a Z-move a person needs a Z-ring, only obtainable from an Island King or Queen, she asks Giovanni for a possible lead. Giovanni states the trio should go to Ula'ula Island to meet Nanu, the Island Kahuna and a past acquaintance. The nature of connection between Nanu and Giovanni is not revealed in the episode. With that order Team Rocket fire up their Meowth Balloon and head for Ula'ula Island to meet Nanu.
To avoid Bewear interrupting their plans, Team Rocket set up hand-sewn puppets with button eyes (one of Meowth, Wobbuffet, Jessie and James) and tape recorders that repeat the same sentences. Upon hearing this Bewear doesn't bother to check on Team Rocket and continues to collect fruit from the surrounding forest.
The scene transitions to Acerola who is reading a fairy tale, ‘The Greedy Lapoo’, to Pico and Nene. The story is about a greedy spirit which steals items from people, but is eventually stopped when sealed away by the Island Kahuna. A shiny Mimikyu, with a flower around its right ear and patched cloth cover, called Mimi floats around as Acerola reads the book.
Meanwhile Team Rocket are walking through the forest en route to meet Nanu. Meowth pulls out a bag containing some Mixed Fruits Malasada, a new product and offering to get the trio their Z-Ring. The trio stumble upon the Po Town Police Station. The trio and Wobbuffet quickly get changed into tourist outfits, complete with straw hats, sunglasses and coloured button-down shirts, to avoid suspicion. They go on to open the Police Station's doors, and inside they uncover a horde of Alolan Meowth. The group immediately spot Meowth's bag of food and resort to attack Team Rocket. After a brief squabble, the Alolan Meowth are seen happily eating the Mixed Fruit Malasadas outside, the disturbance wakes up Nanu. Upon losing their offering to the Island Kahuna the trio decide to retreat to prepare another present. Nanu queries the groups intention before stating that the Island Kahuna is on a 'martial arts training' adventure for anywhere between a week to upwards of a year. The shock of the wait leads Team Rocket to retreat in disappointment.
The attention returns to Acerola, who has now finished her reading. The scene focusses on the Greedy Lapoo's towb, resembling the Odd Keystone. Acerola agrees to take Nene and Pico to see the tomb.
Meanwhile Team Rocket are discussing amongst themselves how to get a Z-Ring. Jessie stands up to proclaim the group need to get a Z-Ring no matter what, forcefully putting her foot on an ancient tombstone with a red string around it, causing it to shatter. A giant Gengar emerges from the towb, scaring Team Rocket and stealing their Darkium-Z stone.
Acerola, Mimi, Nene and Pico stumble upon the scene. Before they can run, the Gengar blocks the fleeing group in their tracks. Acerola blocks Genger from scaring the two children, in response it quickly picks Acerola up and flies into the clouds. Team Rocket and Mimi begin to trail behind. Gengar resorts to stealing more items in a frenzy including a Drampa's berries, a golden nugget from a man by a lake and a Blissey's Lucky Egg. And scaring a wild Murkrow and Salandit. Acerola is still clinging on to Gengar, she repeatedly calls the Pokemon the Greedy Lapoo. Suddenly Mimi arrives, and begins to engage Gengar in battle. Mimi's repeated Shadow Claw attacks fail, going through Gengar's body. Gengar throws Mimi into the air out of frustration, and Acerola jumps off Gengar's back in an attempts to grab it. Gengar attempt to capture the falling Acerola fails, and she continues to freefall through tree branches and eventually hits the ground.
Gengar follows behind, and is next seen looking over at Acerola holding Mimi from behind a tree. Gengar suddenly produces all of the stolen goods from its body, surrounding Acerola in gifts to get her attention. Acerola is overwhelmed by the gesture, but is aware the items are stolen. Team Rocket watch the unfolding scene, noticing their Darkium-Z appears in Gengar's hand. Acerola states she cannot accept the gifts, as she enjoys her time reading to the children in the library. Gengar spasms and begins to cry before launching into a tantrum, bouncing off the forest trees. It resorts to absorbing Acerola into its body, though this process is interrupted by Jessie's Mimikyu launching a Shadow Ball. Gengar quickly turns its attention to Jessie and Mimikyu, and James retrieves the Darkium-Z from the stolen goods pile. The Team Rocket trio tease Gengar for losing in front of Acerola (hinting at the Pokémon having a crush on her) and resort to running off, with their regained Darkium-Z. Gengar follows behind in anger. And Nanu finds Acerola, asking if his niece is fine.
Team Rocket stop running and attempt to face Gengar. Meowth's claws grow in anticipation for a Fury Swipes, though Gengar enters Meowth's body. His eyes become red, indicating he has been possessed. Mimikyu attacks, sending Meowth flying and Gengar emerges from its victims body laughing. Gengar goes on to possess Jessie, in response James commands Mareanie to use a gentle Knock Off against Jessie. The attack lands, and Gengar emerges from Jessie's body with tears in its eyes. Meowth and Jessie quickly recover from their possession, slightly confused by what has happened. Gengar lets out a loud roar, and Acerola, Mimi and Nanu stumble upon the trio. Nanu comments on the trio's skill before gifting them a Z-Ring. James places it on his wrist, he alongside Jessie, Meowth and Mareanie perform Black Hole Eclipse for the first time against Gengar, in turn defeating the raging Pokémon.
Acerola reveals Gengar must have been lonely, hence why it kidnapped and offered all of the stolen goods to her. This statement turns Gengar’s glum face into a grin, and the two begin twirling around. The two decide to become friends. The scene brings tears to Meowth and James’ face. Nanu tells Gengar if it misbehaves he will reseal the Pokemon into a tomb, revealing he is also the Island Kahuna to Team Rocket’s disbelief.
Because of the revelation, Nanu’s cover has been blown. Jessie in a rampage reveals their true motives, under Giovanni’s instruction, for coming to see him. Nanu confirms he has a personal connection with Giovanni and is aware of Team Rocket, he immediately grants the Team Rocket trio the Z-Ring for looking after Acerola.
Jessie and James’ attention turns to Acerola and her ‘flying’ Mimikyu. Acerola states Mimi is an actual ghost to the trio shock. Mimi starts flying through Jessie’s body several times, and gifts her a Mimikium Z stone. Acerola explains that the Mimikium Z is a stone only Mimikyu can use. Jessie, James and Meowth launch into a success pose, ecstatic as achieving beyond their intended goal, the Z-Ring and newly obtained Mimikium Z stone. The sunset over the forest quickly turns to a night sky.
The scene transitions to Ash, Rotom Pokédex, Pikachu and Poipole on board a ship destined for Ula'ula Island and Ash’s third Grand Trial.
