After the completion of the Lilypad Town Pokémon Contest, our heroes, along with Khoury and Lyra, visit the Lilypad Colosseum ruins, where they all decide to have a Double Battle. As the teams prepare to compete, suddenly Team Rocket appears on the scene and snatches both Pikachu and Piplup! Everyone sets out to find Team Rocket, but nobody’s sure which way they went. Khoury cleverly comes up with a theory based on watching the behavior of the river Pokémon, which earns him the respect of everyone—as well as the title “Ace Detective.” Team Rocket is soon discovered, and Pikachu and Piplup are rescued. And Team Rocket is sent blasting off again!

Finally the duos can begin their Double Battle! Both teams perform wonderfully. The battle seems evenly matched until Ash and Dawn ultimately pull off a narrow win. Plus, because Khoury expresses his belief in his Totodile, it suddenly evolves into Croconaw, much to everyone’s surprise and delight!

As Khoury and Lyra prepare to go back to Johto with Khoury’s dad, Lyra asks Khoury if he would like to go on a journey with her after their return home. Khoury quickly agrees. We leave everyone as our heroes prepare to resume their journey to Sunyshore City—and a chance for Ash to earn his eighth Sinnoh Gym Badge!