Ash and company arrive at the gym, but the gym leader is out training on Iron Island. In the meantime, the town is suffering from nightmares and no one is getting any sleep.

As Ash continues training for his gym battle. Dawn tries to train with her newly evolved Piloswine, and learns that her Pokémon isn't as receptive as its non-evolved form.

Ash gets word that the gym leader has returned. Roark, the gym leader from Oreburg City has come to challenge his father, Byron the Canalave City gym leader. With Roark using Rampardos and Byron using Bastiodon, who will win the battle?

With Oreburgh Gym Leader Roark as referee, Ash starts his 3-on-3 Gym battle against Byron, Canalave's fossil-loving Gym Leader. Byron's first Pokémon is the Steel-and-Psychic Bronzor, so Ash sends out Chimchar, a Fire-type Pokémon. But Bronzor's Ability, Heatproof, helps protect it against Chimchar's Fire attacks, and then it uses Rain Dance to rain on Chimchar's parade! Chimchar refuses to give up, and uses Flame Wheel in a head-on charge against Bronzor's Gyro Ball—the hit knocks out Bronzor, but Chimchar barely manages to stay on its feet!

A Wailord blockage has trapped the boats in Canalave's harbor, and that means Dawn can't take a ferry to her next Contest. There's nothing to do but sit down for lunch, but a wild Luxio and its Pokémon accomplices steal the food! Pikachu and Piplup give chase, but run straight into Team Rocket. As always, Team Rocket tries to grab Pikachu, but Ash catches up with them and escapes into the sewer with his buddy. Piplup uses Whirlpool to toss Team Rocket, and now it's up to Ash to find his way back to his friends. As he wanders the sewers, he comes across the Luxio and its pals. They stole the food to feed a stranded Wailmer that somehow ended up in the sewer!

On Iron Island, Ash's rival Barry is training with his Empoleon and Heracross when Empoleon suddenly turns on its Trainer. Barry calls Ash and Dawn, who are still in Canalave Town, to tell them what happened—other Pokémon on Iron Island are acting strangely, too! Ash and his friends catch the next ferry to Iron Island, with Team Rocket following them in secret, but Barry has already gone out to explore the island. Whatever is happening, only Steel-type Pokémon are affected, but why?

Ash and company continue their struggle to stop Team Galactic's latest scheme, which is somehow affecting steel type Pokémon. They learn this is just part of Team Galactic's overall plan.

Pikachu and Piplup get themselves stranded on an island where they discover a Corphish and several Mantykes taking care to a mysterious egg.

As Dawn prepares for the next contest, the adventurers try to spot a rare Phione. One Phione becomes attracted to one of Dawn's Pokémon.

Dawn enters the Chocovine town Pokémon contest and meets a tough trainer named Ursula. Will she win her fourth ribbon?

Team Rocket steals Officer Jenny's Chatot.

A Froslass holds Meowth and Piplup captive and will only release them when her friend, a Snowrunt is returned.

Meowth decides to leave Team Rocket to become a Noodle Chef, which prompts the other members to pursue their own goals.

Ash enters a Poké Ringer contest with Staravia. Paul also enters the competition.

Dawn encounters an Agron and become separated from Ash and Brock. When one of her Pokémon is injured fighting the Agron, she must use everything she's learned to heal her Pokémon.

The friends travel toward Snowpoint City.

Ash and company encounter a Snover who longs for companionship.

Piplup seems to be worn out lately. They notice Piplup starts to glow. Everyone is excited by the prospect of Piplup evolving, except for Piplup.

Dawn enters the Sandlestraw contest.

Ash and Dawn enter a Pokémon Ping Pong Contest. After the contest, a trainer approaches Dawn and asks if he can train Ambipom for Ping Pong Contests.

The group encounters a Pokémon Trainer who doesn't appear to realize what Pokémon battles are about, and try to teach her what's really important.

Ash and company meet up with Zoey in Snowpoint City. The Gym Leader convinces Ash to teach a Pokémon class before their battle.

Ash finally arrives at Snowpoint Gym for his battle with Candice. This gym will be different from his previous gym challenges, with each trainer using 4 Pokémon each. Can Ash defeat Candice and win his seventh badge?

Following Ash's victory at the Snowpoint City Gym against the Gym Leader Candice, who should appear out of nowhere but Ash's rival Paul! Asking for a Battle with Candice as well, Paul is told he'll have to wait until the following day. But suddenly Paul's brother Reggie appears, and also - none other than the Kanto Frontier Brain from the Battle Pyramid, Brandon! Knowing that the only challenge Reggie ever made in his career as a Trainer that wasn't successful was when he challenged Brandon, Paul immediately challenges Brandon on the spot, vowing to beat him and ...

Some Pokémon hunters attack a Temple and awaken a legendary Pokémon. The Pokémon goes on a rampage. Ash helps Brandon to calm the enraged Pokémon.

The group takes a train to their next destination. The train takes an unexpected stop. Team Rocket tries to take advantage of the situation.

Ash and friends arrive at Lake Acuity, the site where Ash and Paul will have their full 6-vs-6 battle. After healing his Pokémon, Ash meets up with Paul and the two begin their long awaited battle. Who will ultimately be victorious?

Ash and Paul continue their 6-on-6 battle. With both teams fighting extremely hard it could be anyone's match, so Paul calls out his newly evolved Magmortar, hoping it will secure him victory.

With all of his Pokémon weak and injured from the battle with Paul, Ash rushes to the Pokémon Center in order to get them healed. Nurse Joy does not, however, have the berry needed to properly heal Monferno. Brock decides to help and heads to Lake Acuity to find it. While at the lake, something strange happens.

Dawn decides to start training for the next Pokémon Contest with Mamoswine. However, despite overcoming its disobedience, Mamoswine still won't battle.