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On his way to the Sunyshore Gym, Ash encounters Barry and Paul, who both are revealed to have all 8 badges needed to challenge the Sinnoh League. After a short dispute on the final Gym, Barry challenges Paul to a battle. Paul refuses, and suggests he fight Ash. Barry is reluctant at first, but upon learning that Ash has battled Paul, he decided to go ahead with the battle. Meanwhile, Team Rocket has decided to trap the trainers first, and steal the pokemon afterwards, when the trainers can't mess it up. In the beginning, it seems to work, as the heroes are ensnared in pink bubbles and multiple Pokemon (including Pikachu, Piplup, and Barry's Empoleon) are captured in a robot-looking thing. Ash's enraged Monferno is summoned , but only flails wildly with its rampant Blaze ability and fails to help. While Paul enters the scene and his Electabuzz struggles to keep the robot from collapsing and hurting the trapped Pokemon, Ash manages to calm Monferno, who evolves into Infernape with its rage cooled. Infernape deftly saves Pikachu, Piplup, and Empoleon, showcasing its intense power. The episode ends with Paul telling Ash that they will battle again in the Sinnoh League. Before Ash can get there, he has to win his final gym badge, and sets his sight on the Sunyshore Gym.
2/11/2010
