Rivals in the Dark of Night! (Japanese: 闇夜の強敵, Hepburn: Yamiyo no Rival, trans. Rivals in the Dark Night) is the 25th and final episode of Pocket Monsters: Liko and Roy's Departure of Pocket Monsters (2023 series), and the 25th episode of Pokémon Horizons: The Series of Pokémon Horizons: The Series.
Synopsis[]
In pursuit of Terapagos, Amethio's group ambushes Liko, Roy, Friede, and Diana inside the ancient castle near Hammerlocke. Liko and Roy manage to escape as Friede distracts Amethio with a battle. Meanwhile, Hamber stages his own surprise attack and approaches Diana, declaring his intent to take Terapagos for the Explorers. He's also brought Sidian and Coral to the castle, and they track down Liko and Roy—but the Rising Volt Tacklers arrive just in time to rescue the young Trainers. Taking on both Sidian's Garganacl and Coral's Glalie, Captain Pikachu puts up a tough fight, but will it be enough to hold back these powerful foes?[1]
Episode plot[]
In the helicopter, Hamber, Coral and Sidian organized their plan to capture Terapagos. While Coral lamented the initial idea, she was delighted to be called an 'ace' by her leader. Inside the castle, Amethio threatened the Rising Volt Tacklers that they'll give the Pendant Pokémon to him, causing it to squeal. As Liko tried to calm it down, she accidentally revealed the name of the Pokémon to the Explorers. After Arcanine stepped in, the battle commenced in the castle. Diana used her Arcanine to stop the intruders while demanding Squawkabilly to open the hidden passageway in the mansion. Friede returned Charizard as the heroes managed to escape, with Diana and Arcanine staying put. After sharing a few words Diana hopped onto Arcanine's back and broke through the glass window. Amethio requested to his team that they ignore her and go after Terapagos instead.
Inside the tunnel, the heroes were soon spotted after Zirc's Rhydon broke through the floor onto the passageway, forcing the heroes to get away, but Rhydon got his head stuck inside the tunnel. As everyone on Friede's side were okay he made his way up to the top of the tower. Zirc reported to Amethio of where the Rising Volt Tacklers were heading. The latter returned Ceruledge and discussed his plan, which they obey. Amethio, going overground, sended Corviknight to help him reach the top of the castle's tower, having spotted Friede and attacked him with his Pokémon. Friede hung on and jumped off the tower, deploying Charizard. Amethio substituted Corviknight for Ceruledge as they prepared to battle on the rooftop. Meanwhile, Squawkabilly returned to Diana, with the latter praising the former for escorting the Rising Volt Tacklers to the tower. She collected all of her trusted books and journals to put in her handbag, along with Lucius' belt.
Meanwhile, Friede and Amethio's battle got underway, with Amethio having the advantage after Ceruledge used repeated Weak Armor-boosted Night Slashes to knock him down. The rumble was heard by Diana, which Dusknoir and Hamber met up with. Friede's Pokémon was able to continue, and he resumed the battle, with Charizard struggling again as wounds show up, so Friede decided to activate his Tera Orb to Terastallize Charizard into the Dark-type, shocking Amethio, Liko and Roy and rendering Psycho Cut ineffective. Charizard finished off Ceruledge with Tera-Blast, defeating it. Roy, Liko and their Pokémon were awestruck and curious about the move, until Sprigatito warned them about Zirc and Rhydon, who approach them. Roy suggested climbing off the tower down to the base, which Liko hesitantly agreed, but are spotted by Onia and Golduck.
The Explorers forced the heroes into a battle against them. Onia's Golduck was defeated first, so Zirc suggested his Rhydon to attack Sprigatito instead, which he obeyed. The battle was interrupted after Roy noticed Morgrem and Blipbug slump to the ground in the distance affected by Salt Cure, with Zirc suggesting Sidian's arrival. Meanwhile, Diana and Hamber continued their argument, until another rumbling and crashing sound was heard behind Diana. Hamber then became annoyed that Sidian and Coral had made their presence felt early and reported the matter to Gibeon, while Diana set off with her Arcanine.
Back in the Mansion, several Pokémon were affected by Salt Cure as Sidian continued to infiltrate the castle. Coral's Glalie delivered a blast of cold wind in-front of Amethio and Friede. The tower started to crumble and fall on them, so they made a quick retreat as the tower bended over 90 degrees. Liko and Roy noticed this, curious, while Zirc and Onia retreat. The heroes were then encountered by Coral and Glalie, followed by Sidian and Garganacl after the latter broke down the wall behind them. As the two Pokémon threaten them, Captain Pikachu stepped in between them and Thunder Punched Glalie, colliding into Garganacl. Roy noticed the Olivine arriving, and Friede, Fuecoco and Sprigatito thanking Cap for the save, while Murdock demanded his crew to return to the ship, with Metagross coming over to aid. As Metagross arrived, Roy and Liko set off.
In the mansion, Diana freed Chandelure and was disappointed about the place being ruined, but reassured that everyone was okay. Coral and Sidian's battle against Friede commenced, but after Garganacl collided into a wall stunned and Pikachu threatened Coral, she has had enough and ordered Glalie to use Self-Destruct, but Friede calls Cap to escape as a gigantic blast rocked the mansion, scaring Liko and Roy. Friede, Cap, and Charizard managed to escape the blast unhurt, to their relief, but Liko wondered about her grandmother. She and her Arcanine leapt onto the deck of the Olivine, to their and Friede's amazement. As dawn broke out, the Explorers became disappointed about their loss. On-board the Olivine, Diana showed Liko the journal about Lucius' adventures she collected from her mansion. Diana gave Liko an objective to seek out the Six Heroes, the Black Rayquaza, Arboliva, Galarian Moltres, Lapras, Kleavor and Entei. Back at Explorers' HQ, Hamber reported some promising news to Gibeon.
Debuts[]
Pokémon[]
Moves[]
Trivia[]
- Professor Friede's Pokémon Seminar: Charizard
- Question
"What activity raises the temperature of its flame?"
- Choices
Battling, meditation, or a meal
- Answer
Battling
- The initial airing of the episode did not feature Professor Friede's Pokémon Seminar. However, it was later appeared through streaming.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ^ (n.d.) . "Rivals in the Dark of Night! | Pokemon.com". From The Official Pokémon Website | Pokemon.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2024.
