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This episode is essential viewing because: Ash defeats Rudy and earns a Spike Shell Badge.

Ash and his friends aboard the ferry bound for tward Trovita Island, where Ash hopes to win his third Orange Island League badge. They see a girl drowning in a whirlpool along with her Seel. Misty goes into action: She uses Staryu to save her and they all get on Ash's Lapras. They get safely to shore Team Rocket's sub gets caught in one of the whirpools. The girl's (Mari) brother, Rudy, thanks Misty and compliments her over. Rudy starts to dance with Misty and he reveals to her that he's the Gym Leader. Ash challenges him, but Rudy continuies to dance with Misty! Finally, Rudy stops dancing and tells Ash that he'll battle him if he can pass the test of knocking down targets.

They get in a speedboat and begin the challege. Ash gets the first one with Pikachu, but Rudy isn't paying attention. He keeps on talking to Misty. Ash tries Charizard, who imediatly launches a Flamethrower attack at Ash. Ash ducks, but the flame burns Misty instead. Ash apologises. Next up is Squirtle along with Pikachu and Bulbasaur. Team Rocket rises in the river, a target pops in front their faces and they're blasting off again. After Ash competes the test, Rudy says the match will be tomorrow and invites Misty to dinner.

At the house, Ash calls Prof. Oak to tell him about the battle. Tracey shows Prof. Oak a scetch of the what looks like the top of an Elekid's head in the bushes. He says that he didn't get a good look at it. Meanwhile, at dinner, Mari asks Misty to be a sister to her and stay with them. Rudy then shows Misty his dancing Pokemon and they dance again. Rudy asks her to stay as well and tells her to give him her final choice after the battle.

The referee flys high on a Pidgeot as the match starts. The difference here, as with all the other Orange Island gyms, is you each use three Pokemon...and they both have to be the same type. Ash begins with Pikachu and Rudy with Electabuzz. It absorbs Pikachu's electricity and Pikachu faints. For Grass types, Ash uses Bulbasaur and Rudy uses Exeggutor. Bulbasaur wins with Sleep Powder. Rudy's Exeggutor almost falls off the cliff but Bulbasaur saves it with Vine Whip. Rudy thanks Ash. For water type, Ash uses Squirtle and Rudy Starmie.

Now, because Rudy teaches his Pokemon to dance they learn different attacks. As you can imagine Ash is surprised when Starmie shocks Squirtle with a Thunderbolt attack. Misty tells Ash that only he can make Squirtle win. Squirtle somehow learns Hydro Pump attack and defeats Starmie. Ash has won the battle. Rudy award Ash the Spike Shell Badge. When it is time to leave Rudy hands Misty some flowers, and she tells him she wants to stay with Ash. Rudy tells Ash he's a very lucky guy. And, as always, Ash has no idea what this means!

This episode guide has been written by AR.

Characters appearing in this episode

Ash

Misty

Tracey

Jessie

James

Meowth

Ash's Pikachu

Pokémon appearing in this episode

• Pikachu belonging to Ash
• Meowth