Ash's Squirtle: Difference between revisions

====[[Original series]]====

=====Kanto=====

Squirtle first appeared in ''[[EP012|Here Comes the Squirtle Squad]]'' as the leader of a gang known as the [[Squirtle Squad]], a group of rogue Squirtle who were deserted by their {{pkmn|Trainer}}s. {{MTR}} managed to befriend the Squirtle Squad by convincing them that [[Jessie]] and [[James]] were his pets. On Meowth's orders, the Squirtle Squad captured {{Ash}} and {{ashfr}} so they could take {{AP|Pikachu}} back to Meowth. Ash managed to convince the Squirtle Squad to free him and allow him to get a [[Super Potion]] for Pikachu, who was badly injured after an earlier encounter with a {{p|Goldeen}}. The Squirtle Squad allowed Ash to go, but they threatened to execute Misty (bleach her hair in the English [[dub]]) if he didn't return by the next day.

[[File:Ash Squirtle bombs.png|thumb|220px|Squirtle saving Ash, after Ash had done the same]]

In ''[[EP060|Beach Blank-Out Blastoise]]'', Squirtle was instrumental in helping rescue a colony of Squirtle, {{p|Wartortle}}, and a {{p|Blastoise}} from {{an|Jigglypuff}} and later Team Rocket. It donned his signature black sunglasses and bolstered morale amongst the other Turtle Pokémon.

Ash used Squirtle during his [[Indigo Plateau Conference]]. In ''[[EP075|Round One - Begin!]]'', Ash relied on Squirtle to battle [[Mandi]], but his powerful {{AP|Kingler}} took the sweep and Squirtle was unnecessary. However, it won Ash's second round by using {{m|Skull Bash}} to defeat a {{p|Nidorino}} in ''[[EP076|Fire and Ice]]'' after it revealed its ability to use {{m|Withdraw}} to absorb the Nidorino's Tackle.

[[File:Ash Squirtle Hydro Pump Rudy Starmie.png|thumb|left|220px|Learning Hydro Pump to overcome Rudy's Starmie]]

One of Squirtle's most notable battles and its only Gym battle win was in ''[[EP103|Misty Meets Her Match]]''. Earlier, it helped Pikachu and Bulbasaur destroy the targets during the preliminary trial, before coming out third against [[Rudy]]'s {{p|Starmie}}. Its powerful Water Gun managed to match Squirtle's, and Rudy's music allowed Starmie to dance away from Squirtle's moves and then use {{m|Thunderbolt}} to knock Squirtle into submission. Squirtle then propelled itself away from Thunderbolt, and while using Withdraw, it learned Hydro Pump to become airborne and hit Starmie hard. Closing the battle with Skull Bash, Ash won the battle and his third Orange Island Gym Badge.

In ''[[EP106|The Pokémon Water War!]]'', Squirtle attempted to rescue a warehouse on fire, but when the fire spread, it needed rescuing by [[Captain Aidan]] and [[Team Wartortle]]. This shot Squirtle's confidence as a firefighter and Ash pleaded with Aidan to allow Squirtle to train with his team for a short period. Squirtle struck up a rivalry with the lead Wartortle, and it eventually proved itself during the training exercises. Team Rocket later trapped Squirtle and Team Wartortle, but Squirtle's thinking allowed the group to escape: they flooded the cabin to allow mobility, and then tricked {{MTR}} into cutting the nets, before blasting Team Rocket away. Squirtle then joins the effort at a burning apartment and halts the fire, saving the day.

=====Johto=====

[[File:Ash Squirtle Bulbasaur.png|thumb|left|220px|Squirtle and Bulbasaur]]

In ''[[EP147|The Fire-ing Squad!]]'', it competed in the annual [[Fire and Rescue Grand Prix]], a firefighting competition. Officer Jenny and the Squirtle Squad planned to compete, but they were confused without their leader. Ash's Squirtle led the Squirtle Squad to win the Grand Prix, and afterwards Squirtle returned to the Squirtle Squad for further training as an elite firefighting team. It said goodbye to his friends and Bulbasaur extended a {{m|Vine Whip|vine}} to its long-time friend, shaking solemnly.

====''[[Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire]]''====

=====Hoenn=====

While Squirtle made no appearances during the [[Hoenn]] arc of ''Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire'', it did make an appearance, along with the rest of the [[Squirtle Squad]], in ''[[HS07|Of Meowth and Pokémon (Part 2)]]''. Squirtle and two other members of the Squirtle Squad ambushed {{DL|Pichu Brothers|Smoochum}} and attacked her with a Water Gun, sending her flying.

{{bulbanews|Personality & Development: Ash's Squirtle}}

Squirtle is one of Ash's most trustworthy Pokémon, but it is by no means perfect. Compared especially with its closest friend, the very serious {{AP|Bulbasaur}}, it comes across as immature and mischievous, particularly during its time with the [[Squirtle Squad]], where it led the gang to commit various pranks and other acts, and how it embarrassed itself trying to intimidate a {{p|Snubbull}} in ''[[PK01|Pikachu's Vacation]]''. However, through Squirtle's travels with Ash, it matured considerably, and his behavior when it reunited with the Squad later on had a noticeable difference. Although very loyal to Ash after the latter saved its life, it was somewhat cynical at times. This was best demonstrated during the events of ''[[EP016|Pokémon Shipwreck]]'', where, while searching for their Trainers, Squirtle briefly speculated that their Trainers may have been eaten by the local wildlife.

Mature or not, Squirtle is a born leader and prefers to wear his signature dark sunglasses when faced with tough situations. It donned them while investigating {{an|Jigglypuff}}'s presence on {{OBP|Unnamed island|EP060|an island}} in ''[[EP060|Beach Blank-Out Blastoise]]'', and also when it competed against [[Team Wartortle]] to prove itself, after his firefighting spirit hurt by his inability to put out the fire that Team Wartortle had extinguished. While prideful, Squirtle has proven adaptable in most situations and prefers collaboration over rivalry.

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