Liko, Roy, and Dot have arrived at the Medali Gym for Dot's second Terastal Training test against Gym Leader Larry. However, to their dismay, the Gym receptionist informs them that Larry is not present at the moment, having left to visit Gym clientele, although he should still be somewhere in Medali. Exiting the Gym, Dot is feeling especially annoyed, as she had already prepared a strategy for her battle against Larry. Before they can start looking for Larry, Dot's Quaxly hears something and runs off. The group follows, ultimately finding Quaxly being attracted to a dance performance put up by an Oricorio. Once the performance finishes, Quaxly approaches Oricorio and is noticed by its Trainer, a dancer named Diva. Upon hearing that they're looking for Larry, she agrees to tell them where he is, just as long as Quaxly joins her for a dance first. Having no other choice, Dot has Quaxly demonstrate his dance moves. Diva compliments the performance, but her Oricorio's own performance with a fiery Revelation Dance still leaves Quaxly impressed, so he starts mimicking Oricorio's dance steps while using Low Kick. Diva is impressed and compliments Quaxly's dedication to his dance, until Roy reminds her that she was supposed to tell them where Larry is, which she had completely forgotten about.
Following Diva's advice, the group arrives at the Treasure Eatery, whose name they remember from the Anything Eatery. After entering, they tell the welcoming staff members that they're looking for Larry, who has just finished a meal at the counter and comes to greet the children. Seeing him face to face, the three young Trainers remember him from Naranja Academy, with Liko and Roy being surprised to learn that he's both a Gym Leader and an Elite Four member. He agrees to have his test with Dot and asks the Cook for help. She happily obliges and presses a button that transforms the dining area into a battlefield, much to the trio's surprise. As Larry and Dot take their places on the field, Larry reminds Dot that in this test, she'll be using two Pokémon and will be judged depending on how she uses Terastallization under those conditions.
Since Tinkatink has never battled before, Dot chooses to lead with Quaxly, while Larry chooses Dudunsparce as his first Pokémon. The battle begins with Dot starting to execute her planned strategy, having Quaxly use Water Gun and then attack with Liquidation while her opponent is blinded by the first move. However, before Quaxly's second attack can hit, Dudunsparce uses Glare, causing Quaxly to become paralyzed and leaving him wide open for a Boomburst. With Dot's plan thrown off, she makes the choice to recall Quaxly and send forth Tinkatink. While the Metalsmith Pokémon eagerly responds to the call for her first battle, she is quickly intimidated by the much bigger Dudunsparce, so Quaxly emerges from his Poké Ball to encourage her. Dudunsparce uses Glare again, but Tinkatink avoids the paralysis by covering her eyes with her hammer. As such, Dudunsparce follows up with Hyper Drill. Tinkatink dodges the attack before meeting the rapidly spinning Dudunsparce with Brutal Swing. Both spinning Pokémon clash with each other several times before being sent skidding back. Dot tells Tinkatink to use Brutal Swing again, but while she's still winding up, Larry recalls Dudunsparce and sends out Staraptor, causing Tinkatink's attack to miss the airborne opponent. While Tinkatink is disoriented, Staraptor strikes her with Wing Attack, defeating her.
With no other choice, Dot is forced to send Quaxly back into the battle. She once again tries to follow her plan, having Quaxly blind Staraptor with Water Gun and then following up with Pound, but Staraptor is hardly fazed by the first attack before using Hurricane to send Quaxly flying back before his Pound can hit. Staraptor follows up with Air Slash. Although the move makes contact, Dot has Quaxly use the smoke cover created by it to get behind Staraptor and attack with Liquidation. However, Quaxly's paralysis causes him to seize up in the middle of the attack, allowing Staraptor's Wing Attack to easily overpower it.
Despite having taken heavy hits, Quaxly is still able to stand back up, although Dot is starting to feel frustrated that nothing she tries out is working. Suddenly, though, she notices Quaxly flapping his wings the same way Staraptor is, and remembers how Quaxly had earlier combined his own moves with Oricorio's dance moves. This gives Dot an idea, and she tells Quaxly to combine his moves with other moves he's seen; combining Dudunsparce's deep breath when using Boomburst into his Water Gun, using Oricorio's dance steps to use Low Kick, flapping his wings like Staraptor while using Pound, and finally spinning like Tinkatink when using Liquidation. Staraptor meets the last move with Wing Attack, but is overpowered and sent flying back. Dot compliments Quaxly's performance, but suddenly, Quaxly starts glowing and changing shape, evolving into Quaxwell. Dot is feeling ecstatic by this unexpected event and seizes the chance by Terastallizing Quaxwell. The Practicing Pokémon attacks with a powered-up Liquidation, powering through an Air Slash to deal a big hit and sending Staraptor crashing to the ground. However, before he can unleash another move, Quaxwell's paralysis from earlier suddenly catches up with him, leaving him immobilized. Larry decides to capitalize on this opportunity and pulls out his own Tera Orb, Terastallizing Staraptor into a pure Normal type. With the boost from Terastallization, Staraptor swiftly attacks the paralyzed Quaxwell with a strong Facade, knocking him out and concluding the battle. Dot is left dismayed when she felt she was so close to success.
Soon after, Larry starts reading his finished performance report. To Dot's surprise, Larry declares that she has passed the test, citing the reasons for his decision being the good utilization of two Pokémon, the well-timed Terastallization with a newly evolved Pokémon, and her ability to combine her Pokémon's moves together. As acknowledgement of his decision, Larry sends a stamp to Dot's Rotom Phone. Liko and Roy take a moment to congratulate their friend before Roy checks Quaxwell's information on his Pokédex, learning that Quaxwell are known for incorporating moves of people and other Pokémon into their dances. Liko and Roy understand that it was Quaxly doing just this with his dance moves that had allowed him to evolve. Dot feels her partner has shot way past her and swears to catch up with him. The mood of the moment is abruptly interrupted by Fuecoco growing hungry once more, so the group sits down to eat some rice balls. While the Cook keeps generously giving them as much as they can eat, Larry is shown their bill. Knowing he can't split up the check, he's forced to pay for the entire thing himself, much to his dismay, and then takes his leave while the children continue to eat, including Dot with her newly evolved partner.
