Liko, a shy girl from the Paldea region arrives in Kanto to begin her studies at the Indigo Academy. Eventually, Liko selects Nyahoja as her first Pokémon, but the two of them struggle to see eye to eye. One night, Liko encounters a man named Amethio, who hands her a letter that is supposedly from her grandmother, requesting her to bring her special pendant. Liko, feeling that the situation seems suspicious, decides to run away instead. While being pursued by Amethio and his crew, another man with a Lizardon comes to Liko's rescue. When Liko attempts to jump, her pendant begins to glow.

The day after Nyahoja's disappearance, Friede traces the Explorers to a nearby port town, and the crew agrees to help Liko take back Nyahoja. Conia, who has been affectionately caring for the captive Nyahoja, is sniffed out by Murdock's Iwanko at the Pokémon Center. The gang gives chase, and Amethio orders Conia to lure them to their hideout. There, Friede stalls Amethio in a battle to allow Liko to go rescue Nyahoja. Confronted by Conia outside, Liko commands Nyahoja to use Leafage in order to make their escape in the flurry of leaves. Friede notices his plan succeeded and retreats. The Rising Volteccers and Liko regroup and set sail for her home in Paldea. Meanwhile, a local islander named Roy chances upon the Brave Asagi's missing flag on the beach.