While aboard the St. Anne, Ash would see a Gentleman easily defeating a Trainer's Starmie in a battle, and seeing how strong it was, he challenged them to a battle. Ash's Butterfree would easily endure and dodge all of Raticate's attacks, and then paralyzed it with Stun Spore, but before Ash could order the finishing move, the Gentleman called off the battle, saying it was a draw (even though Ash was close to winning).

Afterwards, the Gentleman came to tell Ash that he was so impressed with Butterfree that he wanted him to trade him for his Raticate. Although impressed by Raticate's strength, Ash was uncertain of what to do, but decided to agree to the trade. Later on, however, he began to miss Butterfree and worried about its well-being, wondering if he made the right decision by trading it away.

Unfortunately, thanks to an attack by Team Rocket, the St. Anne began to sink before Ash had the opportunity to trade back, leaving Ash with Raticate as his newest Pokemon.