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This episode is essential viewing because: Misty leaves Horsea and Starmie at the Cerulean Gym.

Ash and his friends have arrived at the gates to Viridian City. They're sitting around a fountain and Horsea is in the fountain, not looking too happy. Ash asks what's wrong with it. Misty says it's not looking too good. Brock says that it probably needs exercise. It needs to swim around in something bigger than a little fountain. Maybe if there was an aquarium around. Misty says that there's the big pool at the Cerulean Gym. Brock says it's not far from there. They can make a quick detour. She gets on the phone to call her sisters to say they're coming.

Later they get to the Gym. They see a large billboard at the front, which says there's going to be an underwater ballet! The star is a famous underwater ballerina returning to Cerulean Gym. Ash says that the mermaid on the billboard would look like Misty if you changed the hair a bit. Brock says that he would swim the deepest sea to meet a mermaid like the one on the billboard. They go in the Gym and Misty's sisters Daisy, Violet, and Lily ask what took her. But Misty is just in time, they say. Ash says hi and Brock just stares. He says they look great! Misty remembers that she has to get Horsea to the pool.

She puts Horsea in the pool and says to Ash that it's really enjoying it. Her sisters say that it's time to rehearse for the ballet. Misty asks if maybe she can help with the costumes or something. Brock wonders when the famous ballerina will show up, he wants to meet her. The sisters say that Ash and Brock already have. It's Misty! She's going to be the star in the Underwater Ballet, The Magic Mermaid! Misty screams.

Misty asks if they're crazy. Her sisters beg her to do it. They say that they've been doing their water shows for too long and no one comes to see them anymore. So they've decided to do one of their water ballets underwater. Misty refuses. Daisy says all the people and kids will be disappointed. They advertised the show on TV and radio and the tickets are sold out. Ash asks if he can get a seat. And it's tomorrow! Ash and Brock says that Misty should give it a try. She finally gives in. Lily and Violet say that they got her and that they can can convince their baby sister to do anything. Misty gets mad.

Togepi walks towards the edge of the pool, where Horsea is. Togepi gets off balance and is about to fall. Pikachu runs over to save it, but Togepi walks away, and Pikachu falls in. Misty and her sisters are rehearsing. Violet wrote the script. Daisy says that in the story, the Magic Mermaid is relaxing with her friend Seel, when two evil villains come, who will be played by Violet and Lily. They say they tie up the Magic Mermaid, try to get her to tell them where the hidden treasure is and start to get rough when she won't. Misty asks if she can get a stand-in for that part. Daisy says that then, a handsome prince, played by her, comes and saves the Magic Mermaid. They fall totally in love, raise lots of Seel, and live happily ever after! Brock says that he likes that handsome prince. Ash says he likes the Seel. Misty says that he would.

Outside, Team Rocket sees the billboard too. James says he took some modern dance when he was a kid and starts dancing around. Jessie says that there will be lots of water Pokémon, and they'll steal them.

The next day there is a huge line outside of the gym. Lily says that the show will be a big hit. Daisy says that she's happy they tricked Misty into doing the part in the play. Ash, Brock, Pikachu and Togepi are in the stands. Ash says it's going to be great! Up above the pool, in a room overlooking it, is Misty, dressed in a cool mermaid costume, along with Seel. She looks better with her hair down. Misty says she's nervous, but she is sure she can do it!

Daisy's voice comes over the loudspeakers, saying that the show is about to begin! The pool starts rising up. It has glass sides. Daisy tells the story. A spotlight goes over some Pokémon in the pool, a Seel, Starmie, Horsea, Seaking and Goldeen. Once apon a time, in a peaceful lagoon, lots of Water Pokémon would play happily with their friends and the Magic Mermaid. The crowd cheers as Misty dives in the water. She and the Pokémon swim around. Ash says that she's doing good. Brock says thats because she's a Water Pokémon trainer. Misty swims into a cave, where there is a pocket of air. She takes another breath and swims out, the crowd cheering.

Violet and Lily, in their villian costumes, watch. Violet says that Misty is really into it! Lily says that Misty has a better costume than than them. Just then, Team Rocket comes up behind them. James is wearing a frilly pink tutu. James says they'll be the villians and Jessie says they won't even have to act. Violet and Lily cry out. Back at the front desk, Daisy says that she should start getting ready.

In the tank. Daisy's voice says that after a long day, all the Pokémon and the Magic Mermaid go to sleep. Misty is on a clam, which closes. She breathes through what looks like a mini re-breather. Then, says Daisys voice, the evil villains arrive! Team Rocket is standing up on the diving board that Misty had jumped off. Ash and Brock see them. Meowth says that they really are bad guys. Jessie says they aren't bad at stealing Pokémon! James says that next time, they'll steal men's clothes.

Brock says that they're probably going to try and ruin the show. Ash says let's go, and they run off. Then, says the voice, the evil villains go into the peaceful lagoon. The clam opens and Horsea tells Misty something. She sees Team Rocket, who are also wearing the breathing thingies. She puts one on. They say their motto and the crowd cheers! Jessie says that they love them. Meowth, back on the platform, presses a button on something, and their ballon crashes through the top of the gym. Someond in the crowd says that it's an airshow too. Meowth says to bring the Pokémon up.

Jessie and James throw a net over a group of Goldeen, but Misty grabs it, trying to stop them. She says they don't belong to them. The voice says that just as all is lost, the handsome prince comes. Up in the dressing room, Daisy is in her costume and prepares to go out, saying that's her cue. But Ash and Brock stop her saying that those are real villians, but they'll take care of them. Brock hands Togepi to Daisy and he, Ash and Pikachu dive into the water, wearing breathing things. Daisy says that this is a bummer as Lily and Violet fall out of the locker where they had been tied up.

Misty is still trying to get the Goldeen from Team Rocket. Ash, Brock and Pikachu come, and Jessie says that she'll take care of them! She sends Arbok, who can somehow breathe underwater. Misty tells Horsea to use Bubble, but Arbok swishes the bubbles away with its tail. Arbok is about to use Wrap, but Misty has Horsea use Smokescreen. The Seaking swims out of the ink and hits Arbok! Misty tells Horsea it's okay, she knows it hasn't been feeling well. She tells Seaking to use Horn Drill and it hits Arbok. Ash says that the Seaking is great! Misty says that her sisters trained it.

James sends Weezing, but it runs out of air and floats to the surface. Violet, Lily and Daisy run onto the platform above the water. Violet says that only Water Pokémon can battle in water. She sends Misty's Psyduck! It swims down, but then runs out of air and swims to the surface. The crowds laughs. Violet says that Misty's Psyduck is embarassing. Ash sends Squirtle and tells it to use underwater Tackle on Arbok. It does. Starmie and Seaking hit Arbok too. Jessie tells Arbok to use Poison Sting. Arbok shows all its fangs. It chases all the Pokémon, who seem pretty creeped out. It's about to attack, but Seel gets between it and the Pokémon. James and Jessie laugh and James says that that weanie baby thinks it can stop them!

Seel starts swimming in circles around Arbok. Misty tells it to use Headbutt. Seel rams into Arbok a few times. Meowth says that Arbok can't let Seel beat it. Lily says she never knew Seel was strong. Lily says it's probably because they never let it be itself. Misty tells Seel to use Aurora Beam. A multicolored beam shoots from Seels horn, hitting Arbok, who cries out in pain. Then Seel starts glowing. It's evolving! James says it can't be! Seel evolves into Dewgong!

Daisy says that's great Seel, sorry, Dewgong! Jessie tells Arbok to get it. Dewgong hits Arbok with its tail and Arbok flies into Jessie and James. They hit a rock. Dewgong uses Ice Beam, freezing them. Meowth says it's over. Ash and the others drag the Water Pokémon onto an island in the middle of the pool. Ash tells Pikachu to shock the pool and make it a good one! Pikachu does, the ice around Team Rocket breaks and they are sent hurling out of the water. Dewgong jumps up and hits them with its tail and they crash into the balloon. Team Rocket blasts off again! The crowds cheers and claps!

After the show, Misty's sisters thank them. There is a another huge line of people outside. Daisy says that they're sold out for the next six months! Violet says that if Misty leaves, then she and Lily can alternate being the mermaid. Daisy says that they aren't going to have enough Pokémon to do the show, so they could borrow some of Misty's? Brock says that since they were looking for a place for Horsea to swim, they should leave it here for a while. Misty says okay. They say that they should borrow her Starmie, too. Misty says okay. Daisy tries to take Togepi, but Misty says no way! They can borrow Psyduck, though! The sisters say they're not that desperate. Daisy asks if they can borrow Pikachu and Ash says not on their life. So they leave and head for Viridian City. Ash tells Misty that she was amazing. She says to save the sweet talk, he still owes her a bike.

This episode guide has been written by flik.

Characters appearing in this episode

Ash

Misty

Brock

Jessie

James

Meowth

Ash's Pikachu

Pokémon appearing in this episode

• Pikachu belonging to Ash
• Meowth