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(Japanese: ライバルバトル！三対三!! Rival Battle! Three vs. Three!!) is the third episode of Diamond & Pearl. It is scheduled to air Japan on September 28, 2006.

Ash searches for Pikachu, whom he has been seperated from. While searching for his Pikachu, he is challenged to a Pokémon battle by Shinji.

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

Synopsis

Ash and Brock run through the forest looking for Pikachu, following Ash's Mukkuru. Hikari is also in another part of the forest following Pochama and Pikachu. Ash and Brock stop as they hear a noise up ahead. They are shocked when a Thunderbolt rips through the forest. Down in that area, a young boy trainer throws a Pokeball and captures a Mukkuru. Ash approaches him, hoping to see Pikachu but it is the kid's Elekid. Brock is impressed by Elekid's Thunderbolt and congratulates the kid, Shinji, on his new Mukkuru. But Shinji tosses some Pokeballs and releases three Mukkuru. After scanning them in his Pokedex, he tosses their Pokeballs into the sky, releasing two of them. He reveals he only keeps the strongest Pokemon for himself. Ash is angry at this, saying Pokemon equire care to grow strong. Shinji turns to walk away but stops when a Thunderbolt launches behind them.

Team Rocket have an huge, multi-armed Elekid-shaped machine. They advance on Hikari, demanding Pikachu. Pochama is no match for the machine and is knocked out. The robot hands reach down, about to grab Pochama, when Ash's Aipom bursts through thge trees and attacks with Swift. Pikachu and Hikari are shocked to see Ash. Ash realises Team Rocket are in the machine. They step out onto a platform in front of it and say their motto. Ash climbs a tree and jumps onto the machine's arm, climbing up to Pikachu. Hikari is stunned at the lengths he will go to for Pikachu. Ash tries to force the hand open and the machine begins to malfunction. It explodes as Team Rocket go blasting off.

Emerging from the rubble, Ash, Pikachu, Aipom and Mukkuru reconcile. Ash greets himself to Hikari and scans her Pochama with his Pokedex. Exhausted, Pochama collapses. Brock takes it in his arms, gives it some Potion and it feels better instantly. At the Pokemon Centre, the gang make a call to Professor Nanakamado. He reveals that he has a parcel at the lab from Ash's mom. In the forest, Shinji and his Elekid examine Team Rocket's broken robot. Ash is tougher than he thought...

Walking down a road together, Ash, Hikari and Brock are approached by Officer Jenny who is glad Ash found his Pikachu. At the lab, Ash opens his parcel, surprised to find new clothes, hat, trainers and backpack. After putting it on, he calls his mom, telling her he is OK. He also calls Professor Oak, who chats to Nanakamado. In the living room, Hikari asks Ash if she could come along with them. Ash agrees, they return their Pokemon and leave the lab. But waiting outside for them is Shinji. He tells Ash that they will battle.

As the two face off, Brock referees, saying it will be a 3-on-3 Pokemon battle. Both trainers release their Mukkuru. Shinji's Mukkuru uses Quick Attack. Ash tries to counter with a Wing Attack, but Shinji's Mukkuru uses Double Team and Aerial Ace combined and Ash's Mukkuru is knocked out. Ash recalls Mukkuru, as does Shinji.

Ash throws a Pokeball and his Aipom emerges. Shinji throws out his Hikozaru, which Ash scans with his Pokedex.

Major events

• Ash and Brock encounter Shinji.
• Shinji captures three Mukkuru, and releases two, keeping the one that has learned Aerial Ace at first, but releasing it at the end of the episode.
• Ash and Brock find Hikari and Pikachu in a middle of a Team Rocket battle.
• Team Rocket change to a new motto.
• Ash changes to his Diamond & Pearl series outfit.
• Shinji challenges Ash to a 3-on-3 battle.
  • Shinji's Mukkuru defeats Ash's Mukkuru.
  • Ash's Aipom defeats Shinji's Hikozaru.
  • Shinji's Elekid and Ash's Pikachu knock out each other.

Debuts

Characters

　Humans　

• Ash Ketchum
• Brock
• Hikari
• Shinji
• Professor Oak
• Professor Nanakamado
• Jessie
• James
• Officer Jenny
• Delia

Pokémon

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Aipom (Ash's)
• Mukkuru (Ash's, newly caught)
• Pochama (Hikari's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Wobbuffet (Jessie's)
• Mime Jr. (James's)
• Elekid (Shinji's)
• Mukkuru (Shinji's, 3 caught, 2 released, then released the last one)
• Hikozaru (Shinji's)

Trivia

• This originally aired aired as a two hour special on September 28, 2006, together with DP001 and DP002.
• Shinji's PokéDex is dark blue.
• Music from Jirachi: Wish Maker and Lucario and the Mystery of Mew are used as background music.
• There was no Professor Oak's lecture for this episode.

Errors

Dub edits

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This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of the Pokémon anime.