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.
A Surprise Reunion (Japanese: 来たる！集まる！仲間たちCome On! Gather Up! Our Fellow Companions) is the 131st episode of Pokémon Horizons: The Series, and the 1,363rd episode of the Pokémon animated series. It first aired in Japan on March 13, 2026 as a one-hour special.
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
Plot
Wy-Yes and Perrin promising to publish the truth about the Rising Volt Tacklers
While Orla is almost finished with the Brave Olivine's upgrade at the docks of Levincia, the junior members of the Rising Volt Tacklers, meanwhile, are in their hotel room, excitedly waiting for Friede's impending return. When the doorbell rings, they assume it's Friede and rush to open the door, only to be surprised by the appearance of Wy-Yes and Perrin. The rest of the group introduces Wy-Yes to Ult as a former member of the Rising Volt Tacklers and a scoop-seeking Pokémon journalist. Perrin also introduces herself to Ult, revealing that she and Wy-Yes met not too long ago and soon learned of how they're both acquainted with the Rising Volt Tacklers. They both know the group well enough to not believe a word about the Explorers' lies of them being the bad guys, and are planning on a big truth-revealing scoop together, which Liko feels grateful for. The doorbell rings again, so the group once again assumes Friede is coming and rushes to the door, but although they're wrong once again, they're still very happy to be greeted by Nemona, Ann, and Penny instead.
Walking through the streets of Levincia, Friede feels someone is following him and quickly boards his Charizard to fly away from his suspicious pursuer. He makes his way to a small café, where he meets his old friend Yanga from Exceed. Yanga reveals how all of Exceed's research is being directed towards the Strong Spheres, which he feels uncomfortable about, but he has no choice but to follow Spinel's orders, since they have no proof about the harmful effects of the Strong Spheres. Friede takes out his Rotom Phone and shows Yanga the results of his research, which he gathered evidence for both on Mount Pericarp and in space, irrefutably proving the Strong Sphere's harmful effects on Pokémon and their bonds with humans. Seeing how intimidated Yanga is, Friede considers entrusting his information to Cervantis instead, but Yanga talks to him passionately about how much he wants to help Pokémon Trainers, which is why he joined Exceed in the first place. Friede smiles at Yanga's determination and entrusts his research data to him. Upon leaving the café, Friede senses that the person who's been following him is still present and tells them to reveal themselves.
In the Rising Volt Tacklers' hotel room, which has grown quite crowded thanks to all of their guests and their Pokémon, Nemona, Ann, and Penny reconfirm their resolve to help the group. Seeing all of her friends in one place, Liko feels immense gratitude for the courage she's receiving from the friends and partners whom she's reunited with ever since leaving Indigo Academyagain. For the third time, the doorbell is rung, this time accompanied by the voice of Friede, leaving no room for doubt. When Liko opens the door, however, she's confronted by someone she doesn't recognize and freaks out as a result, only for said person to burst in and be identified as Master Mayonnaise by a very surprised Roy and Ult. Friede also enters the room, finally making his expected return. He reveals how he met Master Mayonnaise shortly beforehand, with him having followed Friede out of fascination towards his MegaStarmie, soon after finding out they're both acquaintances of Roy and Ult. Master Mayonnaise reveals that he had come all the way from Kalos specifically to meet Roy, having managed to follow the sightings of his whereabouts all the way to Levincia when the sight of Mega Starmie had completely caught his attention. Sympathizing with the Rising Volt Tacklers' goal of wanting to stop the Strong Spheres and erase the Laquium Core, Master Mayonnaise reveals his reason for coming here and shows Roy a Mega Stone, revealing it to be the newly-discovered Lucarionite Z, which makes Lucario one of the few Pokémon with two possible Mega Evolutions. Roy's Lucario eagerly accepts the stone, and Master Mayonnaise invites Roy to test it out in a proper battle.
Moving outside, everyone gets ready to witness the battle between Roy and Master Mayonnaise. Ult is doubtful if the old man can even battle, but Master Mayonnaise clears away any doubt by revealing himself to be an experienced Pokémon Trainer and sending out Hawlucha, which immediately starts posing for its audience and getting them to cheer for it. Captain Pikachu starts the match, with Lucario making the first move with Metal Claw. Hawlucha avoids the attack, though, and strikes back with Acrobatics. While Lucario is busy picking itself up, Hawlucha climbs on top of a light pole and is told to use Flying Press. However, it gets too busy posing for the crowd and Perrin's camera, so the expected big attack doesn't come. Roy decides to capitalize on this and has Lucario use Flash Cannon. While Hawlucha is able to evade the attack, it then proceeds to throw a tantrum, frustrated of its posing being interrupted.
Lucario being hit by Mega Hawlucha's Cross Chop
Feeling that Hawlucha has warmed up enough, Master Mayonnaise reveals his Mega Ring and Mega Evolves Hawlucha into Mega Hawlucha, which proceeds to do even more posing for the excited onlookers. Roy tells Lucario to use Close Combat, but although Lucario's blow makes contact, Hawlucha isn't even fazed by the hit, catching Roy by surprise. Master Mayonnaise boasts that Mega Evolution has enhanced both Hawlucha's attack power and defense, before telling Hawlucha to use Encore. Although Roy tries to change tactics and attack from a distance with Flash Cannon, Encore forces Lucario to use Close Combat again, which Hawlucha evades and counters with Cross Chop, hitting Lucario hard. Roy decides to use the new Mega Evolution, but when he tries to do so, he's confused to see his Mega Ring not reacting whatsoever. Friede says that it's because Encore has completely thrown off Lucario's pace, causing it and Roy to become de-synced. Nemona adds that Lucario's frustration of its attacks not connecting is also playing a part. Master Mayonnaise decides to finish the match, and Hawlucha climbs up the light pole again. Roy tells Lucario to wait for the incoming attack, but his Pokémon displays visible frustration and disagreement with the idea, so Roy relents and tells Lucario to use Close Combat. The attack, once again, fails to even faze Hawlucha, who eventually throws Lucario off the light pole and follows up with Flying Press, defeating Lucario and ending the match in a loss for Roy. Master Mayonnaise states that Roy's inability to use the new Mega Evolution is a proof that Lucario's aura has not yet reached its full potential. Determined, Roy swears to work until he's mastered the right style of aura and asks for Master Mayonnaise to help him with his practice, a request that Ult also repeats, not wanting to be left out. Master Mayonnaise smiles, happy to help guide the two youths.
The next day, Orla declares that the Brave Olivine's "Rising Again" upgrade is finally complete. With Iono seeing them off, the Rising Volt Tacklers and their allies take flight, their first stop being to meet up with Diana (who was previously mentioned to be staying at her ancient castle in Galar). As the upgraded airship flies across the sky, it's witnessed by some Naranja Academystudents, who, despite the Rising Volt Tacklers' bad reputation, can't help but admit that the airship looks cool. At the same time, the school staff, standing on the academy's roof, smile watching the heroes speeding off towards the horizon.
This episode first aired in Japan as part of a one-hour special titled ポケモンゲット&温泉街で大はしゃぎ！心も体もフルパワーだスペシャル！Get Pokémon & Have Fun at a Hot Spring Resort! A Special That Will Fully Power Your Body and Soul!. The first half featured a live action segment featuring popular comedians embarking on a search for Terapagos in the scenic Kusatsu Onsen.
