Plot

Pocahontas sets off on a journey to England with Meeko, Flit, and Percy. Hearing rumors of John Smith's death, Pocahontas tries to prevent war and battle.

When news of John Smith's death reaches America, Pocahontas is devastated. She sets off to London with John Rolfe, to meet with the King of England on a diplomatic mission: to create peace and respect between the two great lands. However, Governor Ratcliffe is still around; he wants to return to Jamestown and take over, no matter what the cost. He will stop at nothing to discredit the young princess.—Phil Fernando

In London, on a dark and gloomy night, John Smith (Donal Gibson) is ambushed by a group of soldiers with a warrant for his arrest, at his apartment when he was alone at night. John fights off the soldiers and the battle moves to the roof tops of London. John is presumed dead in the ensuing confrontation. Ratcliffe himself pushes John down a building and into the river below, from which John does not emerge.

Governor Ratcliffe (David Ogden Stiers) had lied to King James (Jim Cummings) (being a personal friend of the King) and framed Smith as the traitor from the events in Jamestown. Ratcliffe wanted to declare war against the Powhatan Nation while avoiding punishment for his own crimes. Ratcliffe was still adamant and convinced that Powhatan was hiding copious amounts of gold in the tribe. King James was furious to hear of John's death as he wanted to hear John's version of the events in Jamestown. In order to prevent this, the King sends a young diplomat, John Rolfe (Billy Zane), to bring Chief Powhatan (Russell Means) to England for negotiations. King James allows Ratcliffe to prepare the armada but says that they will wait for the arrival of Rolfe and the Indian Chief in London.

In the New World, Pocahontas (Irene Bedard) mourns John Smith's death but is eventually able to move on. It is wintertime in Powhatan. Meeko is up to his usual mischief. Nakoma is now married. Pocahontas is not clear about what direction to take from this point on in her life. John Rolfe soon arrives, greeted by English civilians (who by now have settled in Jamestown) and a curious Pocahontas. Pocahontas was also at the pier for the arrival of the new ship. A biased sailor shoves Pocahontas aside and invites Meeko's ire who makes a hole in his sack, which drops cookies on the ground. Meeko follows the cookies and ends up scaring Rolfe's horse who bolts. Pocahontas saves the sailor's life by pushing him out of the way, but instead of thanking her, the sailor attacks Pocahontas, prompting the Powhatan warriors to draw their arrows. The Jamestown soldiers load their muskets. Both Pocahontas and Rolfe intervene to diffuse the situation. Pocahontas meets Rolfe but is disgusted by his need to take charge; Rolfe in turn does not like Pocahontas's independent spirit.

Rolfe later overhears two women talking about Pocahontas preventing a war and assumes that "Pocahontas" is the name of the Chief of the Powhatans. That night, at a dance, Rolfe intrudes with a gift of a horse for "The Mighty Pocahontas." When Pocahontas steps forward, Rolfe finds himself in an awkward situation: the stubborn Chief will not go to England, but unless an envoy is sent, war will break out. Powhatan says that the King wants his land and so, ideally the King should travel to Jamestown.

Pocahontas volunteers, despite doubt and concern from others. Rolfe believes that Pocahontas is not suitable for a delicate diplomacy mission such as this. Later that night, Grandmother Willow (Linda Hunt) tells her to "listen to the spirit within." The next day, Pocahontas sets off for England with Meeko (John Kassir), Flit (Frank Welker), and Percy (Danny Mann) stowing away on the ship, and a bodyguard (known as Uttamatomakkin (Brad Garrett)) sent by the Chief. Uttamatomakkin is told by Powhatan to cut a notch on his staff for every Pale Face he sees. While on the ship, Pocahontas is nearly arrested by the captain for bringing Meeko, Percy and Flit as stowaways, but Rolfe saves her and declares Pocahontas to be a guest of the King, and they come to a truce.

Upon arriving in England, Pocahontas marvels at this "new world." London is a thriving economy with people from all over the discovered world coming to the city to trade. Due to the endless number of Pale Faces that Uttamatomakkin sees, his staff is reduced to a tiny stick due to all the notches cut on it.

Ratcliffe is only too happy to learn that Pocahontas is there, a "lowly woman" instead of a chief, and hands Rolfe a proclamation signed by King James that says an Armada will sail if he is not pleased with the Powhatan ambassador. Rolfe and Pocahontas set out for his estate outside of London, where Mrs. Jenkins (Jean Stapleton) (Rolfe's housekeeper) happily greets them and puts on tea, her trademark solution to a problem. Rolfe meets with the King, who, per Ratcliffe's suggestion, invites Pocahontas and Rolfe to The Hunt Ball. If Pocahontas can impress the King by appearing "civilized", the armada will not set sail, much to Rolfe's disgust.

Rolfe is doubtful of the plan (he tells Pocahontas that the elite of British society will attend the ball and there are a million ways in which Pocahontas can slip up), but Pocahontas is determined to impress King James. Pocahontas dons a hoop skirt, high heels and a yellow ball dress, and is powdered to look white. Rolfe gives her lessons in dance and local etiquette, as well as a necklace, which she puts on in place of her mother's. Pocahontas looks ravishing in her new look. Pocahontas delights the King with flattery and pleases the Queen. She remarks that James must be a great King as he has so many subjects. She is the belle of the ball, and everybody wants to dance with her. Rolfe is enamored with Pocahontas and almost kisses her on the dance floor, before she is whisked away.

But during a bear-baiting (arranged by Ratcliffe, where a chained bear is poked with weapons and tortured), Pocahontas cannot stand by and watch the torture, and accuses the King and the laughing aristocrats of behaving like savages. Ratcliffe had intentionally arranged for the bear-baiting show as he knew that Pocahontas would react in this way and reveal her true feelings for the customs of the British Kingdom.

James accuses Pocahontas of the same thing for defending the bear, and angrily orders Pocahontas and Uttamatomakkin's arrest, per Ratcliffe's suggestion, and plans to have them beheaded. Rolfe, his hopes of peace having failed, meets a hooded stranger who aids him in breaking Pocahontas and Uttamatomakkin out of jail. Inside Pocahontas' cell, the hooded stranger is revealed to be John Smith. John evacuates Pocahontas, Uttamatomakkin and Rolfe to a cabin in the woods. It is clear that Smith still has feelings for Pocahontas, and wants her to stay hidden, instead of trying to stop the armada. Smith says that wanted to write to Pocahontas, but never knew how to finish a letter to her. Rolfe wants Pocahontas to listen to her heart. Smith realizes Rolfe is in love with her.

Pocahontas remembers her now-married friend Nakoma's (Michelle St. John) words. Willing to risk her life for her people, she washes the powder from her face, goes before the king and convinces the Queen Anne (Finola Hughes) of the truth. Smith discourages Pocahontas, but she is adamant that the King and Queen will never respect her culture if they have not seen it. Rolfe gives Pocahontas her mother's necklace and supports her for being herself at the meeting.

And when John Smith appears, the King finally realizes that Ratcliffe lied about Smith's death and there being gold in Virginia. The King agrees that the armada should be stopped but he knows that it is too late as Ratcliffe has already set sail. Pocahontas, Uttamatomakkin, Smith, and Rolfe then set out to stop the Armada. They manage to board the ships before they sail out of the Thames River. After they knock most of the sailors overboard and cause the ships to crash together, Smith bests Ratcliffe in a sword-fight. Ratcliffe pulls out a pistol, but Rolfe and Pocahontas stop him. Ratcliffe is met on shore by King James, who finally arrests him.

Smith makes a triumphant return to court and is surrounded by ladies, which is observed by Pocahontas. Pocahontas tells Rolfe that she plans to leave for home (Uttamatomakkin ends up staying in London), and the two hint at admitting they love each other. Smith interrupts, telling Pocahontas he wants to travel the world with her by his side on his newly awarded ship. Rolfe leaves, dismayed. Pocahontas gently tells Smith that their time together is over, and they must part ways. Smith wishes her well, kisses her hand one last time, and leaves.

Sadly, Rolfe has vanished. As her ship leaves port, Rolfe reveals he is on board, and Pocahontas runs to his arms. Pocahontas reminds him about his duty to the King, but Rolfe says that he has a duty to honor what is in his heart. They kiss as the ship sails into the sunset.