Butler, a former Team Magma scientist and magician, pursued redemption after his explosive expulsion from the organization. His lifelong bond with Diane blossomed into romance, culminating in their joint magic act under his stage persona, "The Great Butler." His dismissal followed a catastrophic experiment to revive Groudon using fossilized remnants, which detonated during a council demonstration. Humiliated, he fixated on validating his scientific genius, culminating in his scheme to harness Jirachi’s power via the Millennium Comet for a rebuilt machine. Posing as a charismatic performer, Butler deceived Ash’s group by gifting Jirachi’s cocoon to Max, exploiting their trust to further his goals. His energy-channeling machine unintentionally birthed Meta Groudon—a rampaging entity mirroring Groudon that drained life energy uncontrollably. The crisis escalated when Diane shielded him from Meta Groudon’s assault, sacrificing herself and jolting him into confronting the devastation of his actions. Partnering with Ash and Max, Butler recalibrated the machine to reverse Meta Groudon’s destruction, endangering himself to protect Jirachi in the final clash. Post-crisis, he renounced his ambitions, reconciled with Diane, and embraced tranquility as a Forina farmer, symbolizing his shift from vengeful obsession to valuing connection over acclaim. His Pokémon team reflected his dual roles: Kirlia facilitated hypnotic stage acts, Mightyena tracked targets, Dusclops enabled energy manipulation and illusions, and Salamence served as both combatant and transport. His blend of scientific ingenuity and theatrical flair clashed with impulsive emotionality, particularly his early indifference to collateral damage in his quest for redemption. A later cameo affirmed his peaceful resolution, depicting him and Diane tending crops in Forina. Brief, non-speaking appearances in subsequent film montages and flashbacks reinforced his enduring presence within the narrative continuum.