Ash and the other seek shelter from the rain inside an abandoned theater house. However, it turns out that the place is not abandoned, as they meet a young girl named Duplica that likes to mimic people. Duplica loves to put on acts wit her Ditto, but she has one small problem. When her Ditto transforms, it can't change its face. Ash, Misty, and Brock decide to do anything they can to help her, though their efforts come up short. Meanwhile, Team Rocket plan to steal Ditto so that they can have it transform into Dratini for Giovanni.

Ash and the group stop by a river to have a quick lunch. Pikachu hears something and notices another Pikachu nearby. The other Pikachu is younger, and accidentally falls in the river. Pikachu jumps in to save it, and the two are quickly overpowered by the river. Ash tries to help, but cannot reach the two in time. Just before the two fall off a waterfall, a whole group of Pikachu arrives and pulls the two from the river. Ash's Pikachu is quickly accepted in this group. As Ash witnesses all the fun Pikachu is having, he begins to think that maybe this I where Pikachu really belongs. Meanwhile, Team Rocket decide to steal all the Pikachu instead of just Ash's in hopes they will get on Giovanni's good side.