As a Ponyta, he was one of the first Pokémon Platinum owned and she took along with her when she set off on her journey. He carries Platinum while traveling. In the Oreburgh Gym challenge, he was quickly knocked out by Roark's Onix, before which its Stealth Rock targeted Piplup, which eventually succeeded in bringing down the gym leader. Despite possessing the type advantage this time, it was easily knocked out by Gardenia's Roserade in a single blow, leaving the newly evolved Prinplup to defeat the leader's Pokémon. Due to its constant losing streak, it was mostly used for transportation purposes by Platinum (and once by Diamond), and wasn't even considered to go up against Crasher Wake's team of strong Water-type Pokémon.
However, when its owner's father, Mr. Berlitz, was discovered to have been abducted by the evil Team Galactic grunt and placed in a cube-shaped prison that was left in the Canalave Gym, Platinum's determination against the misunderstood gym leader, Byron, allowed it to defeat both of his Pokémon simultaneously with its flames (which even Empoleon could not), and soon evolved into a Rapidash.
In the Platinum arc, he is used for Platinum's battle against Castle Valet Darach.
Moves used