The Pillar of Fire (Japanese: 大バトル！大地を穿つ炎A Great Battle! The Earth-Piercing Flame) is the 81st episode of Pokémon Horizons: The Series, and the 1,313th episode of the Pokémon animated series. It first aired in Japan on January 24, 2025, in Australia on July 12, 2025, in the United Kingdom on July 17, 2025, in sub-Saharan Africa on August 24, 2025, and in the United States on September 26, 2025.
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
After spending the night in Area Zero, the Rising Volt Tacklers and Briar arrive at the place where Entei was last sighted. And right on time, Entei itself appears! Pagogo begins resonating with it, confirming that it’s one of the Six Heroes, but Liko and the others are puzzled because its appearance is somewhat different than the Entei they met in Johto. Liko asks Entei to join them on their journey to Laqua, but it takes Lucius’s belt, challenging the Trainers to a battle to get it back. As Liko, Roy, Dot, and Friede strategize, Briar comes to a surprising conclusion—this Pokémon isn’t Entei!
Plot
After resting for the night, the group arrives at the site where Entei was spotted and have a small picnic. They discuss more about Entei being in Area Zero and their suspicions of it being one of the Six Heroes this time, all while being watched by Coral and Sidian unknowingly. As the group is packing up, Entei appears before them, albeit with a slightly different appearance to the one they met in Johto. However, Pagogo's resonance and the appearance of the other Six Heroes under Liko's care confirms this Entei is indeed the one they are looking for. Holding Lucius's belt, Liko approaches Entei and asks it to join them. In response, Entei brings out its Ancient Poké Ball and passes it to Liko. Her happiness at the thought of it joining them is short-lived when Entei suddenly swipes Lucius's belt from her, challenging them to retrieve the belt from it. With no other option, Liko, Roy, Dot, and Friede get ready to battle while Briar and Pagogo watch from the sidelines.
Once Entei secures the belt in its fur, Crocalor uses Stomping Tantrum to target the weakness of the Fire-type, but Entei uses Burning Bulwark to protect itself and render Stomping Tantrum useless. Quaxwell tries to follow up with Liquidation but not only did the attack fail but Quaxwell is burned from touching Entei. Floragato presses forward with Acrobatics but dodges at the last second, receiving a small burn in return. When the heat surrounding Entei's body disappears, Dot comes up with another strategy once she realizes Burning Bulwark uses a lot of energy, thereby Entei cannot use it for long. Using Magical Leaf, Stomping Tantrum, and Water Gun, the three Pokémon successfully get Entei to use Burning Bulwark again and maintain their distance until the move wears off, allowing Captain Pikachu to land a Thunder Punch that barely caused any damage. In retaliation, Entei uses Dragon Pulse, to everyone's shock. With this new piece of information, Dot, Friede, and Briar come to same conclusion — the Pokémon before them is not Entei but a Paradox Pokémon.
Briar elaborates further on what Paradox Pokémon are, with Roy realising the strange-looking Magneton from before was also a Paradox Pokémon. Since the existence of these Pokémon is only recognised in the recent years, it is likely both Lucius and Rystal mistook the Paradox Pokémon for Entei. Since they are battling a completely different Pokémon, Dot deduces this one is a Fire/Dragon Pokémon, leaving Stomping Tantrum as the only effective move against it. Despite this, their strategy doesn't change and Floragato and Quaxwell attack once more, but the Pokémon did not use Burning Bulwark as expected. Dot has Quaxwell jump into the river, with Cap using Double Team to distract the Paradox Pokémon, and use Air Cutter from there, learning Aqua Cutter in the process. Fed up with the attack, the Paradox Pokémon uses Burning Bulwark again, resulting in Crocalor unleashing a powered-up Stomping Tantrum once the flame wears off. Roy attempts to keep up the momentum, but the Paradox Pokémon shoots a Dragon Pulse into the sky, causing the clouds to part such that sunlight would hit the Pokémon directly and trigger its Ability, Protosynthesis. With its attack power raised, it uses Raging Fury, which Briar remarks looks like a pillar of fire. She realizes something and with reference to the Scarlet Book, Briar tells everyone the true identity of the Paradox Pokémon — Gouging Fire.
Gouging Fire is able to deal severe damage to Floragato, Crocalor, and Quaxwell with Raging Fury. When Floragato tries to stand up, Cap uses Double Team to distract Gouging Fire once more but ends up being cornered. Roy has Crocalor save Cap by using Flame Charge. In spite of the strength of their opponent, everyone finds it fun and Dot is inspired to come up with another strategy to beat Gouging Fire. At that point, they notice Gouging Fire acting confused once the flame wears off. Dot is entrusted to create a new strategy with Sidian still watching while holding off Coral, who is itching to battle. With a new plan in place, Gouging Fire uses Raging Fury as Liko, Roy, and Dot Terastallize their Pokémon. The three Pokémon attack Gouging Fire from all directions before Quaxwell uses a flurry of Aqua Cutter to lure Gouging Fire into the river and extinguish its flames, leaving it wet and confused. This gives Cap an opportunity to land an effective Thunder Punch, with Lucius's belt coming out from Gouging Fire's fur during its struggle. Floragato captures the belt with its vine and Dot holds it before Gouging Fire, victorious.
With the battle over, Liko asks Gouging Fire if they have earned its approval. Gouging Fire shows the group a vision of Lucius also earning Gouging Fire's approval after his trouble with befriending it. Despite the trouble, Lucius is grateful for all the encounters that has occurred and together with Rystal, the two set off for Laqua. Afterwards, Lucius's Gouging Fire allows itself to be recalled into its Ancient Poké Ball. Holding the Ancient Poké Ball, Liko comments how the Entei they believed to be one of the Six Heroes was really Gouging Fire. Roy enthusiastically declares all that they need to do now is find the Black Rayquaza, which Liko agrees. Suddenly, Pagogo and five of the Six Heroes resonate again, with the clouds above parting to reveal the Black Rayquaza, stunning everyone as it flies down the sky.
While the official Japanese Pokémon YouTube channel releases every episode after its television airing for viewing on YouTube for a limited time in Japan, this episode was not geo-locked to Japan after its release.[1]
Errors
Dub edits
The Japanese title refers to Gouging Fire. This reference was omitted in the English dub.
