Ash and friends come across a river where the bridge across it has been washed out due to a recent storm. They see a man in a boat nearby and ask him for a ride. He says he will give them a ride if they can find the pokemon Sudowoodo. They begin their search and come across Marie and Pierre, two scientists who are also after Sudowoodo, trying to figure out what type it is. Realizing they must be related to the guy with the boat, they join them on their quest to find Sudowoodo. However, Team Rocket are also hot on their trail planning to find Sudowoodo first.

On the way to Ecruteak City, Ash and friends see a flying Pidgey being attacked by a huge Fearow and decide to intervene. They bring the Pidgey to the next town and luckily find its home, and discover it is a member of the "Carrier-Pidgey Express", a business run by a boy named Malachi and his grandfather. They deliver letters to the nearby islands. Ash and friends join Malachi as he goes to make his rounds for the day, but Team Rocket appears and wants to capture all of the Pidgey.