This article is about an episode of the Pokémon animated series that has not been dubbed into English. As such, its coverage may contain romanized Japanese names, rather than dub names.
(Japanese: 負けられないバトル！試される絆！！A Battle You Can’t Afford to Lose! The Bond That’s Put to the Test!!) is the 126th episode of Pokémon Horizons: The Series, and the 1,358th episode of the Pokémon animated series. It first aired in Japan on February 6, 2026.
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
Plot
With the public release of the Strong Sphere coming soon, Exceed increases its promotion campaign, which includes asking Iono to advertise it on her channel. The Exceed representative tells the popular streamer it would be a win all around, especially with the trouble the Rising Volt Tacklers are causing, unaware said group is right beside Iono. While the Brave Olivine is hiding in Levincia's dockyard with Iono's help, the younger members of the team are having a training battle elsewhere. Dot then arrives with the news that they would be able to meet with Clavell and Geeta at Naranja Academy with Penny's help.
In the director's office, Jacq presents his findings using the data that Dot and Penny obtained from the Exceed Museum. While the information proves useful, Geeta and Clavell explain that it is not something they can act on directly. The main issue is that the data comes from the Rising Volt Tacklers, who currently have a poor public reputation. Additionally, the data was obtained through hacking, which further undermines its credibility, something the Explorers are well aware of. Despite the group’s good intentions, Clavell and Geeta point out that people tend to act on emotion rather than logic. Because of the Rising Volt Tacklers’ reputation, the public would likely distrust their claims, potentially escalating the situation beyond simple skepticism. Even so, the group agrees that it is worth the risk if it can somehow prevent the launch. As a compromise, Clavell proposes banning Strong Spheres at Naranja Academy, and everyone agrees. Meanwhile, Dash leaves her friends feeling dejected after watching them battle, believing she is far behind them in terms of strength. When she returns to her room, she finds a Strong Sphere from Exceed, given as a gift for participating in their demonstration. Excited, Dash heads out to battle using her newly acquired Strong Sphere, only to be devastated when she sees the notice announcing the ban posted in the entrance hall. After overhearing Liko and the others talking about successfully getting Strong Spheres banned, Dash confronts them. They attempt to explain the harmful effects of the Strong Sphere, but Dash refuses to listen to reason and instead challenges Liko to a battle with the ban on the line, which Liko accepts.
At the school battlefield, the battle is spectated by the Rising Volt Tacklers and various students including Nemona, Penny, Niko, and Rob. Dash's Swanna makes the first move with Water Gun, which Meowscarada dodges before sending Magical Leaf at the White Bird Pokémon. Swanna then dives in with Wing Attack, but gets hit with Acrobatics instead. Dash sees her partner refusing to give up and has it use Feather Dance, which causes feathers to be stuck on Meowscarada. Swanna goes in for another Wing Attack while Meowscarada is distracted, but is forced to stop when she uses Flower Trick, and manages to avoid Quick Attack as well, surprising Niko and Rob with Dash's battle. At Liko's command, Meowscarada avoids all of Swanna's attacks with Quick Attack, removing all the feathers stuck on her in the process, and counters with Flower Trick that manages to deal damage to the White Bird Pokémon.
Dot and her Pokémon ready to train
When she realizes her friends are watching her battle, Dash expresses her desire to win so that things would go back to how it was. As a result, she uses her Strong Sphere on Swanna against Liko's protest, causing a wave of reactions among the students. Dash becomes amazed by Swanna's new capabilities while Niko and Rob support her. Meowscarada continues avoiding Swanna's attacks while Liko tries to make Dash see what the Strong Sphere is doing to her partner, which she does when Swanna keeps hurting itself while using Wing Attack. Dash desperately tries to recall the White Bird Pokémon, but it refuses to listen, so Liko steps in by having her partner use her stem to stop Swanna once it is weakened from Flower Trick. Dash tearfully apologizes to Swanna once the effects wear off. When asked why would she resort to Strong Spheres, Dash says she did not want to be left behind by Niko and Rob. When Niko and Rob approach, Dash tries to leave out of shame, but Liko convinces her to stay before she is filled with regret for not talking sooner. The three friends then sort out their feelings about each other and apologize for their failure to talk about it earlier. Dash promises Liko not to use a Strong Sphere anymore before leaving with her friends, who suggest she try Tera Training again.
Liko and her Pokémon ready to train
In the cafeteria, the Rising Volt Tacklers hold a meeting to discuss their next steps. Although they succeeded in convincing Dash to stop using a Strong Sphere, they realize that other Trainers will continue to use them despite the ban. Because of this, they conclude that the Laquium Core must be eradicated in order to halt production entirely. With the Explorers maintaining control over Mount Pericarp, Ult suggests having the Brave Olivine fly over it. However, Roy points out that it will not be able to handle the altitude. Orla then arrives with news that she has been working on a way to improve the “Brave Olivine: Infinite Rising” ever since what happened atLaqua. In the meantime, the younger members decide to focus their efforts on finding Pokémon with eighteen Tera types. Nemona and Penny arrive after the meeting and volunteer to help oppose the use of Strong Spheres, having witnessed what happened with Swanna earlier. When Nemona mentions battling alongside the four of them, the group becomes confused, prompting Penny to realize that they had never counted themselves among the group. Having saved theSix Heroes and witnessed their growth since they first met, Nemona and Penny are confident that they have grown stronger themselves. This realization leaves them happy as they reflect on how far they have come.
Niko's incorrect hairstyle
