Kabu's Battle Training! (Japanese: カブさんのバトル修行!, Hepburn: Kabu-san no Battle Shugyou!) is the 20th episode of Pocket Monsters: Liko and Roy's Departure of Pocket Monsters (2023 series), and Pokémon Horizons: The Series of Pokémon Horizons: The Series.
Synopsis[]
Still in Motostoke, Liko and Roy are surprised to see Gym Leader Kabu at the Battle Café, but they're disappointed when he leaves before Roy can ask him what he knows about the black Rayquaza. So they head to the Gym, where Kabu tells them that they need to become stronger if they want to eventually battle and catch Rayquaza. He leads Liko and Roy in a training exercise with their Pokémon, then challenges them to a Multi Battle alongside Wakaba, an aspiring Gym Trainer. The result is a fiery bout in which Kabu pushes Liko, Roy, and even Wakaba to give it their all—no matter what![2]
Episode plot[]
The episode starts with Liko narrating the recap of their arrival at Motostoke in the Galar region, meeting Mitchell in the Battle Cafe who finally became friends with Murdock, before they both spot Kabu, drawing excitement from both the heroes and the public surrounding him. Kabu commends Liko for the way her Sprigatito used Leafage, and that their bond together worked well. Murdock tells Roy to ask Kabu about Rayquaza, but he ignores them and starts jogging, exiting the Battle Cafe, with Roy and Liko trying to catch up.
The two heroes arrive at Motostoke Stadium and are introduced by Wakaba, a 'future Gym Trainer' before she leads them inside the stadium and through the tunnel towards the battlefield. Wakaba comments that she's lost every battle against Kabu, but Roy provides her some encouragement, pleasing her. Inside the battlefield, Kabu continues exercising inside the center circle, before being greeted and introduced by the threesome. Roy asks Kabu about the Black Rayquaza, exciting Wakaba, but Kabu asks for proof, in which Roy brings out his Ancient Pokéball, explaining to him the story about the Black Rayquaza's connection with that Pokéball. Liko joins in protest. Kabu teaches them that they'll need to engage in battle before catching it, and asks for their confidence that they can win. Roy stays determined, along with his partner Fuecoco who delivers an Ember up in the sky, which impresses Kabu enough for them to challenge him.
Later, a Gym Test is set up. A horde of 20 Litwick, some with and without their candles lit, appear, with Liko adoring their cuteness and records the Pokémon on her Pokédex. Kabu comments that this is a training exercise for their Pokémon, with Roy initially thinking they were going to battle against him. Kabu explains the gym test, explaining that the two trainers must only use their Pokémon's signature move - Leafage for Sprigatito and Ember for Fuecoco - to extinguish or light up respectively, the flames on top of all the Litwick's heads, to be declared the winner of the test.
Roy and Liko accept the challenge and get ready to compete against one another. A scoreboard lights up, and Kabu begins the test. The two heroes command them to use their respective moves, but the groups of Litwick dodge and hide inside the grass, to their dismay. After more commanding, Roy sees an unlit Litwick from close range, prompting Fuecoco to use Ember. It lights up, and the scoreboard changes in Roy's favor; however Liko also sees a lit Litwick from close range, and Calls Sprigatito to use Leafage, which quenches the flame, and changes the scoreboard back to even.
As a lit Litwick tries to climb up the fence, another Leafage almost quenches the flame. Liko commands Leafage using a different technique; Sprigatito powers up before unleashing a 'huge' Leafage which blows out the flame. Wakaba punches the air after watching that move. Sprigatito's 'clumpy and sharp' Leafage blows out another flame, with Kabu commending Liko's team. Liko calls out different Leafage techniques with extinguish more flames, and update the score to 14 - 6. Roy panics at the score and commands more rapid Embers from Fuecoco, but the Pokémon falls down in exhaustion, prompting Roy to console him. Fuecoco's stomach grumbles.
Later, all the Pokémon are eating groups of berries. A defeated Roy slumps as he sits down, but sits up as he listens to Kabu's advice, explaining that he's had his share of failures too, and has been 'growing stronger each time', learning from training and moving on, which Wakaba agrees. Roy sees that Fuecoco has made a full recovery, so they get ready once again. The heroes are in their starting positions, with Kabu restarting the test.
Liko commands a 'sharp' Leafage, which quenches another Litwick flame. Roy almost commands Fuecoco to use a lot of Embers but realizes that this isn't going to help his chances. Fuecoco starts singing back at Roy, swishing his tail to a beat, which gives Roy a brainwave, so he and Fuecoco start singing too, gaining his Pokémon's confidence. Fuecoco sings and uses Ember to light up a Litwick flame, which Roy congratulates him for and puts the momentum on his team. Both trainers aim for the same Litwick, with Fuecoco's Ember lighting up the flame. Fuecoco's Embers light up more Litwick flames, changing the scoreboard to 9 - 11, and then to 2 - 18. Liko sees a group of Litwick hiding on the edge of the grass, but becomes distracted as Fuecoco lights up another Litwick. With the score at 1 - 19, Sprigatito angrily demands her trainer to do something, which panics Liko. The last Litwick flame lights up, declaring Roy the winner. He and his Pokémon jump for joy, while Wakaba commends Liko for her valiant effort.
After the test, Kabu initiates a Multi battle with his partner Wakaba against the duo. The battlefield is set. They bring out Centiskorch and Rolycoly respectively, with Wakaba excited by Centiskorch's capabilities and claiming it is Kabu's strongest Pokémon. Roy commands Fuecoco to use Ember on Centiskorch. It absorbs the attack. Kabu then explains about Centiskorch's Flash Fire ability, panicking Roy. Liko commands Sprigatito to use Leafage, which the Radiator Pokémon absorbs too. Kabu commands Centiskorch to use Flame Wheel, which directly hits both heroes' Pokémon, followed by Bug Bite, which the hero trainers command to dodge it.
Roy tells Liko that they should work together this time, which Liko agrees. Liko commands another Leafage, targeting Centiskorch's eyes to blind it. Simultaneously, Roy commands Fuecoco to use Tackle while Liko chooses Quick Attack for Sprigatito on the same Pokémon, but Centiskorch dissipates Leafage with Flamethrower, which also hits the charging Sprigatito and Fuecoco, knocking them both out. Liko becomes stressed about her downed Pokémon, while Roy initiates a song to help Fuecoco get back up on his feet and motivate him. As Kabu commands a Flamethrower, Roy eventually stops singing and commands Fuecoco to use Ember, which actually becomes Flamethrower. The two Flamethrowers collide in the middle of the battlefield, but Centiskorch's Flamethrower beats and hits Fuecoco, fainting him. Roy consoles him, and applauds him for learning his new move.
Kabu acknowledges that Fuecoco is unable to battle and suggests Wakaba take on Liko in a one-on-one battle, which they both accept. Wakaba commands Rolycoly to use Smack Down, but Liko's Sprigatito blocks it and hits him with Leafage. Wakaba commands a Rapid Spin, absorbing the Leafage attack, and spinning towards Sprigatito. Liko commands her to dodge it and use Leafage, which hits Rolycoly, causing Liko to punch the air. Wakaba commands another Rapid Spin, which Sprigatito dodges. Liko then announces that she quits the battle, against Sprigatito and Wakaba's wishes, with the latter assuming that she's given up, becoming teary-eyed and running away as her dreams of becoming a Gym Leader are coming to a halt.
Kabu acknowledges Liko's kindness, but explains that it's not always the way to win battles, reminding her of earlier scenes where Liko held back during the Gym Test with Roy, before explaining what would happen if her challenger forfeits against her, and not respecting her Pokémon's feelings. Liko apologizes to her Sprigatito, which her Pokémon declines. Liko runs over to apologize to Wakaba for hurting her feelings, which she apologizes back for taking her anger out on her. Wakaba promises Liko not to hide her Sprigatito's power, which she agrees. Kabu meets up with the two heroes, becoming pleased with their performances before explaining what he remembers about the Black Rayquaza, explaining that it headed to West Motostoke.
Soon, the heroes return to the Brave Olivine with the Rising Volt Tacklers; Friede says that they should take the morning train to West Motostoke, which Liko agrees. As they travel, Kabu's words echo inside Liko's mind.
Debut[]
Pokémon[]
Trivia[]
- Professor Friede's Pokémon Seminar: Centiskorch
- Question
"What does the body burn to generate heat?"
- Choices
Water, gas, or stones
- Answer
Gas
Gallery[]
References[]
- ^ Pineda, Rafael (2023, September 10). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, August 28-September 3 - News - Anime News Network". From Anime News Network (ANN). Archived from the original on September 10, 2023.
- ^ (n.d.) . "Kabu's Battle Training! | Pokemon.com". From The Official Pokémon Website | Pokemon.com. Archived from the original on June 22, 2024.
