Piplup after getting hit by Drago Meteor one too many times by Ash's Gible, Piplup gets frustrated when the adventurers try to boost Gible's confidence, and decides to run away.
Dawn's mother is supposed to teach a beginner's Pokemon Coordinator class, but gets called away to judge a nearby contest. The young adventurers teach her class.
As our heroes prepare for Dawn's entry into the Grand Festival and Ash's rematch with Gym Leader Volkner, they meet a mysterious girl with a sick Shaymin who needs help.
The adventurers miss their ship and have to wait a day before continuing their journey. They meet up with old friends. Dawn receives and unexpected invitation, and all of them start to contemplate the next part of their journey.
Ash asks Professor Oak to send him some of his old Pokemon for the upcoming competition. Team Rocket intercepts the Pokemon, now Ash must find and recover his Pokemon.
Ash battles Tobias in the semi-finals. Tobia has only used his Darkrai in all his previous matches. Can Ash find a way to defeat Darkrai and what of the rest of Tobias's Pokemon?
On the way back to Twin Leaf Town, several Pokemon are injured. With no Pokemon Doctor on board, Brock does everything he can to help the Pokemon until support arrives.
Ash and Brock spend the night at Dawn's house as they prepare for their return to their respective homes. It's a time of farewell. Brock makes a surprise announcement. The three friends part to pursue their own individual dreams.
