The episode starts off with the gang in a building somewhere on the way to Nimbasa City. Professor Juniper is showing Ash, Iris, and Cilan a plume fossil and tells them that the ancient Pokémon Archen came from this fossil, immediately interesting the group–that is, everyone except Iris, who think it looks like a rock. Professor Juniper slips slightly and tells her everyone has their own opinions. She shows Ash, Iris, and Cilan a picture of Archen, and Iris comments that if Archen is the “First Bird Pokémon” the it must be Tranquill’s great-great relative.