After Ash and Co. reach Lavaridge Town, they meet Flannery, the Gym Leader. Having just inherited the Gym from her grandfather and determined to prove her abilities, she is just as eager as Ash to battle, but the Gym's battlefield is full of holes and therefore cannot be used. Deciding to help, the gang are hard at work filling the holes. Meanwhile, Team Rocket are standing by ready to snatch one of Flannery's Pokémon, a Torkoal that they can give to their boss.

Deciding to go back to Petalburg City, the heroes encounter a woman named Claire, who had lost her heart-marked Spinda. The heroes decide to help Claire and her butler, Royce, in finding Spinda. Team Rocket tries to intervene and both sides chase Spinda to a mountain top, a place which Claire recognizes.