Ash and his friends have taken the boat to Sootopolis City. All Ash has to do is win one more badge before he can enter the Hoenn League. Ash asks Pikachu if he's ready for their final battle, and Pikachu nods his head. This makes Ash more confident. The boat comes out of the tunnel, and everyone gazes at the beautiful sight of Sootopolis City. Ash gets off the boat and is ready to battle the gym leader. Max comments on how pumped he is for his battle. Suddenly, fireworks are released into the sky. This makes May and Max happy as they run down towards the fireworks. Brock runs down after them, and Ash soon follows him as well.
The mayor of Sootopolis City stands on a stage and says a few words. Then he introduces the crowd to Juan, the gym leader. The crowd goes crazy when Juan walks out onto the stage. Juan raises his arms, and streams of water shoots out from the moat, and all meet at the same point. A rainbow forms across the water art. Then Juan takes a bow. The audience is amazed at his performance. Juan makes a speech. He thanks everyone for being present and he thanks the mayor. Then Juan tells the Pokémon to come out. We see a Gorebyss, Seadra, and Azurill jump up onto the stage. On the other side is a Luvdisc, Goldeen, and Wailmer. Then a Milotic jumps out and lands on the center of the stage. Max realizes that Juan is a water Pokémon trainer. May notcies on how beautiful Juan's Milotic is. She also thinks that Juan could be a great Pokémon coordinator. Juan waves his arms and the Pokémon use Water Gun in the air. The water meets together, and Juan waves his arms some more. Other Pokémon like Barboach, Chinchou, Wingull, and Masquerain also use Water Gun. Bubbles are let out in the air. The scene is beautiful. The audience loves Juan's performance. The mayor thanks everyone for coming.
Suddenly, they hear a voice. The voice is coming from a Chimecho. Juan wonders where the voice is coming from. He looks in the air and sees Team Rocket. Ash and co. grumbles at Team Rocket again. Juan compliments on how James's Chimecho is great. Juan thinks that Team Rocket are talented artists. Team Rocket recites their motto. Ash and co. run down the stairs, and they warn Juan about Team Rocket. Team Rocket wants to steal all of Juan's Pokémon. Juan thinks that it's a waste of time. Meowth presses a button and a net springs out onto Juan's Pokémon. The net begins to zap the Pokémon with electricity. Ash and co. wants to help Juan, but Juan tells them that he doesn't need any help. They look down, and see Juan's Pokémon blocking off the electricity. Brock says that Juan's Pokémon are using their defensive attacks to protect the group. Milotic uses Iron Tail and the net breaks open. Finally Milotic uses Twister, and Team Rocket is sent off into the air. Everyone cheers at Juan.
Juan assumes that Ash and co. are new to Sootopolis City. Ash introduces himself and challenges Juan to a gym battle. Juan gladly accepts Ash's challenge. They head on a boat towards the gym. May compliments on Juan's performance. Juan tells them that he was a Pokémon coordinator many years ago. May wants to hear more. He tells them that he won many ribbons and a ribbon cup. Juan owes all of his victories to his Pokémon. The group concludes that Juan won the Grand Festival. They are amazed at this. Juan thinks that there should be art in everything that Pokémon do, and that's why he raises his Pokémon so well. Brock asks how Juan decided to specialize in water Pokémon. Juan says that he was naturally attracted to them because of their weakness to electric attacks. Max asks if Juan thinks weakness is good. He tells him that he's experienced weakness throughout his contests and battling. Max tells Ash that Juan will be tough to beat. Ash doesn't seem worried at all. Juan looks forward to see Ash battle.
They finally have arrived at the gym. Sebastian, who is the butler, greets Ash and his friends. They follow Sebastian inside the gym. Everyone looks inside, and they see the battlefield which is also a gigantic swimming pool. Ash and Juan step in the trainer and gym leader boxes. Butler explains the rules. Each person may use five Pokémon. They first have to do a double battle. When both Pokémon are knocked out, single battles occur. The battle will be over once all five Pokémon are knocked out. Max thinks that the battle has a lot of rules. Brock says that the rules will test Ash's skills. The battle then begins.
Juan chooses Sealeo for his first Pokémon, and Ash looks it up in his Pokédex. For Juan
