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.
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
Plot
Chalce, Coral, and Sidian, overlooking the Rising Volt Tacklers' battle against the Laquium Core, are joined by Hamber. Upon learning that Spinel disappeared into the Core itself, Hamber decides to step into the battlefield as his last duty for the Explorers. He and Diana start attacking the Core, quickly joined by the Explorers Admins. Inspired by this support, Roy makes a speech to Rayquaza about their promise to Lucius about protecting the world's future. The spirit of Lucius invisibly appears next to Roy, and his Mega Ring reacts with Rayquaza, allowing him to Mega Evolve Rayquaza into Mega Rayquaza, much to everyone's surprise. Witnessing this, Amethio makes a similar speech to Zygarde about his grandfather's parting words to him about following his own path, which he cannot follow if the world isn't saved. The spirit of Gibeon holds his grandson's hand, triggering Amethio's Key Stone, which reacts with Zygarde's Zygardite and turns it into Mega Zygarde, producing an even greater surprised reaction from everyone. As the two LegendaryDragons prepare to attack, the Laquium Core sprouts flower-like buds of Laquium in an attempt to counterattack, but Friede, Ult, Nemona, and Ann successfully destroy these buds before their attacks can properly go off. Amethio commands Zygarde to use Nihil Light, which powers through the Core's defenses and deals a destructive hit on it. Roy follows suit by ordering Rayquaza to use Dragon Ascent. When the Core attempts to defend itself once more, Roy has Skeledirge use Torch Song, which combines with Rayquaza's move to boost its power, plowing through the attempted defense and damaging the Core even further. As a last-ditch effort, the Core unleashes a cloud of Laquium mist, but through sheer force of will, Meowscarada manages to resist its effects, before helping everyone else snap out of it as well. With Rystal's spirit standing by her side, Liko has Pagogo turn into its Stellar Form and Terastallize all of the Tera Type representatives. Resonating with all of its friends, Pagogo engulfs the entire Laquium Core in a large barrier and rises high into the air with it as all the Terastallized Pokémon return to normal and the Laquium crystal tower that had supported the Core collapses.
Umbreon abandoning Spinel
Spinel emerges from the pile of Laquium crystals. Openly desperate to save the Core, he asks Umbreon to fight for him. When his Pokémon refuses his offered Laquium crystal, Spinel shatters the crystal and forcibly infects Umbreon, driving her feral. In order to protect Pagogo, Liko and Meowscarada engage Spinel and Umbreon in a battle, quickly gaining the upper hand. Spinel is outraged that Laquium could be overpowered like this; Liko sternly tells him that their power lies in their bonds. Spinel's rage increases, refusing to believe that something intangible and invisible as bonds could even exist. Liko states that while bonds can't be seen, they can be felt, her belief in these precious and irreplaceable bonds being fueled by her love of Pokémon, believing that people and Pokémon around the world feel the same way, including Spinel himself; she challenges his stated beliefs by stating that he and his Umbreon must also love each other, which is why Umbreon is willing to push herself so far for him. Spinel tries to deny this, but is unable to not recall how his Umbreon had evolved from an Eevee in his childhood through their friendship. He expresses his irritation towards Liko and has Umbreon attack, but the Moonlight Pokémon is defeated by Meowscarada's Magical Leaf, removing the effects of Laquium from her in the process. Simultaneously, Pagogo lifts its barrier, revealing that the Laquium Core has been completely erased, removing its threat forever and ending Spinel's scheme once and for all. Left with no choice but to accept defeat, Spinel attempts to recall Umbreon, but instead, she smacks her Poké Ball out of his hand, making it fall to the ground and break on impact, before running away from her former Trainer, ignoring his desperate pleas to come back. Sidian muses that Spinel never learned a thing from Gibeon's end. Hamber takes charge of the Explorers present and orders them all to leave Laqua, himself included.
At sunset, as the Brave Olivine approaches to pick up the Rising Volt Tacklers and their allies from Laqua, Liko notices that all of the wild Pokémon are starting to return now that Laquium isn't around to threaten them anymore. However, it also becomes clear that Laqua suffered heavily from the events that transpired there, and it'll take time for the paradise to recover. Worried about this, Pagogo turns to Zygarde and the Six Heroes. Liko, Roy, and Amethio quickly realize that all of them wish to stay in Laqua in order to help the paradise regain its former glory. Liko understands how precious Laqua is to the Pokémon that live there and accepts Pagogo's decision with a smile, knowing that Rystal will also be watching over Laqua, which Roy and Amethio know to stand true for Lucius and Gibeon as well. With Zygarde dispersing into its Cells and Rayquaza flying into the sky, Liko also bids a somber goodbye to Pagogo, promising to come see it again someday. The Rising Volt Tacklers and their allies leave Laqua, with Pagogo, the Six Heroes, and the spirits of Lucius, Rystal, and Gibeon watching after them.
Gradually, the world begins to heal. Trainers start reuniting with their abandoned Pokémon; public media and influencers like Stunner Fisk and Litten Smitten spread good word about the Rising Volt Tacklers, restoring their good public image; Spinel's lies are exposed; Strong Spheres are getting recalled and destroyed around the world; Cervantis retakes his position as the director of Exceed and appoints Friede and Yanga to reinvestigate the dangers of Laquium; Amethio mends his broken relationship with his father; Diana and Hamber resume their adventures together; Coral and Sidian continue being celebrities; and Chalce returns to her life as a teacher, her old school finally getting renovated. At nighttime, Umbreon sneaks into a moonlit prison yard and briefly gazes at Spinel, now a broken man, through the barred window of his cell, before leaving once again and disappearing into the night.
With the Rising Volt Tacklers' reputation as the good guys restored, the Brave Olivine once again sets sail across the sky, heading towards new, bright horizons.
Strong Spheres are recalled and collected all over the world.
Cervantis takes over as leader of the Explorers and retakes his position as the director of Exceed.
The Explorers reform themselves and begin cleaning up the mess Spinel's reign left behind.
Friede and Yanga become the research leads on Laquium for Exceed.
Amethio reconciles with his father.
Hamber, Coral, Sidian, and Chalce leave the Explorers, as Hamber embarks on a journey with Diana, Coral and Sidian travel together while keeping their celebrity status, and Chalce returns to her activities as a teacher.
This is also the first time in all of the animated series that a Legendary Pokémon required a Mega Stone and a Trainer with a Key Stone to Mega Evolve.
Spinel's Umbreon abandoning her Trainer is reminiscent of the White Zygarde abandoning Gibeon in The Earthshaking White Zygarde for their selfish actions in using the Laquium. This marks one of the few instances of a Pokémon outright abandoning their Trainer.
Both instances also happened following a battle against Liko's Meowscarada.
Spinel's Umbreon is confirmed to be female in this episode, due to the gender difference as an Eevee in a flashback.
