Everyone is getting prepared to leave Canalave City to head to Dawn's next contest. Before they leave, Ash calls Barry to tell him of his win at the Canalave Gym. Barry is at Iron Island, and something is currently wrong with his Empoleon. Ash, Dawn, and Brock head to Iron Island to see him, but all of the steel pokémon are going crazy. A man named Riley appears and helps them, and they decide to find the source of the problem.

Ash and friends decide to take a boat to the location of the next contest. On the ride Team Rocket appear and steal Pikachu and Piplup. They manage to escape but they wind up on a deserted island. Will they be able to make it back to their trainers?