Our heroes arrive in Sootopolis City so Ash can earn his final Hoenn Region gym badge. They meet Juan, the gym leader, a Water-type specialist who also performs famous water shows. After witnessing how tough his Pokémon are when they foil a Team Rocket attack, Ash begins his gym battle with Juan, with rules unlike any other gym he's been to. The battle is five-on-five and starts off as a double battle, switching to singles once two Pokémon on either side are knocked out. The battle begins with Pikachu and Snorunt vs. Juan's Sealeo and Seaking. Snorunt, being new to Ash's team, is quickly knocked out, so Ash sends in Corphish to take its place. After finally defeating Juan's Seaking, Ash must find a way around Sealeo's Ice Ball, which grows stronger but slower with each successive launch. It takes everything he has, but Ash is finally able to overcome the attacks and beat Sealeo, prompting a field change. But the battle is far from over and things are about to get much harder.
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- Chick Magnet: The ladies seem to love Juan.
- Climax Boss: Ash is preparing to challenge Juan in a gym battle to earn his final Hoenn gym badge. However, he discovers that the rules of this particular gym are different from any he's encountered before. The battle will consist of five-on-five rounds, beginning with a double battle and then switching to singles once two Pokémon on either side have been knocked out. Brock and Juan clarify that this Gym tests the challenger's ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
- Cliffhanger: Although Ash has scored two knockouts to Juan's one, he knows he's still in for a rough battle, especially since Juan's Luvdisc has just struck Grovyle with Sweet Kiss and he has no idea what will happen to Grovyle next.
- Establishing Character Moment: Juan is introduced as a celebrity amongst the people of Sootopolis City, where he has his Pokemon performing an routine, then when Team Rocket attempts to steal his Pokemon with with an electric net, they not only are able to easily protect themselves, but Milotic quickly frees and sends Team Rocket blasting off. This shows that Juan will be a tough opponent against Ash in their gym battle, and foreshadows his former status as a Pokemon coordinator and Ribbon Cup Winner.
- Foreshadowing: When arriving at Juan's water show, May complements on how his Pokémon took the stage and how Juan looks like could be a great Pokémon coordinator. On the boat ride to the Sootopolis Gym, Juan reveals that he not only was Pokémon coordinator, but he also is a former winner of the Ribbon Cup.
