#The Explorers

[ballonleaparadise]

Family, Blood Ties and Redemption in Pokemon Horizons

I really felt for Amethio in episode 65. Spinel will do anything to get rid of him, huh? I can definitely see Amethio joining forces with the rvts in the future, either as a member or as an ally.

I want to call this a 'redemption arc' but I don't even know if that's the correct wording. Amethio is not being redeemed because he was never bad to begin with. He is a kid who has been manipulated by his own grandfather. I think this really showed during his conversation with Liko, where he said that his goal is to simply fulfil Gibeon's wishes. In addition to this, Amethio has shown numerous times to care for other's safety, regardless of whether they side with him or not (ie. When he saved Liko from Rayquaza's attacks in episode 45, and when he subsequently teamed up with Friede.) In other words, Amethio is a good person who has been taught to do bad things.

In this sense, Pokemon Horizons highlights both the importance of family and the dangers of blood ties and manipulation. The rvts are a family who care for and trust each other. Meanwhile, the Explorers are built from selfishness, deception and greed. Amethio does what Gibeon demands because he is his grandfather. When someone close to you treats you badly, it can completely bypass you because you care about them and their behaviour becomes normalised. Amethio seems to have been raised with the Explorers, so it's no wonder why he has been so loyal to them. As a result, Gibeon has been able to use Amethio for his personal gain. It reminds me of N's dynamic with Ghetsis in Pokemon Black and White.

Out of context, I found it funny how the plot of this episode was Liko and Amethio trying to get out of a cave. Whether that was a reference to Plato's analogy of the cave or coincidence, who knows. Either way, Amethio has seen the light (literally). He has seen Gibeon's true colours, Spinel's real intentions, and gained insight from Liko.

If Amethio does switch sides, I don't think this will be immediate. As he said to Liko, he is on a different path to her. Even though he is banished from the Explorers, he has still been loyal to Gibeon for so long. It makes me wonder what really happened to his Dad- did he willingly leave the Explorers or did he 'disappoint' them in the same way that Amethio did? For now, Amethio needs to decide whether he's prepared to join the other side, even if it means completely betraying his grandfather.

[trelinha9]

I loved today's episode. I loved it, loved it, loved it!!!!!

Spoilers below the line, as always, and let's go to all the incredible points of this incredible episode in this incredible anime with incredible characters!

Spoilers below the cut!

1 - The episode begins where we left off, with Liko and Ametio trapped together in the cave. This opening scene is short but important. Terapagos is yelling at Amethio, and Liko tries to calm him down without success. Ametio takes a deep breath, steps forward and tells Terapagos that he wouldn't do anything, to trust him. I like how Amethio kind of prepares himself to say this sentence, as if he doesn't know how to handle the situation

2 - Terapagos apparently realizes that Amethio IS NOT Gibeon, despite probably looking a lot like a younger Gibeon. The small sparkling legendary turtle is clearly confused, but he simply turns his back and heads back to Liko. At that moment, Amethio sighs, he is relieved to have solved that problem

3 - The cutest scene of the entire episode: Ceruledge watching Floragato collect grass to help Liko stay warm, and he decides to use his blades to warm Amethio too! It's like, the cutest thing in the world. I love these two so much. I need more fics with these two. Ceruledge cares so much about Amethio, it's so beautiful

4 - Liko asks Ceruledge to burn the grass to make a fire, and Amethio agrees. The two sit together and do something that no one thought Pokémon writers would be able to do: THEY TALK!!!! Like, they ask each other questions, and they answer those questions, and they both end up understanding each other better in the end. Here are the notes, because it was my favorite moment of the episode by far:

5 - One thing I really liked is that Amethio is the one who starts the conversation. He asks why Liko was ready to give up when he terastalized Ceruledge, and Liko explains that she failed the terastal application test. Liko says she thought she would be more useful if she had passed. Amethio then asks if she's going to give up (HE ASKS IF SHE'S GOING TO GIVE UP OH MY GOD I LOVE THIS EPISODE SO MUCH). His words (in the Brazilian dub) are "Are you going to give up just because you tripped once and you think you won't be able to help?" Amethio clearly identified with what Liko said here: he lost to Friede, he lost to Rayquaza twice, he lost to Hamber, and in the last episode he lost to Spinel's Umbreom. He had to recover from all these losses if he wanted to continue to be useful to the Explorers. Faced with Amethio's words, Liko reflects and says that she doesn't want to give up.

6-It's Liko's turn to ask a question, and it's interesting when she says that she always wanted to ask him that: because he saved her in the battle against Rayquaza. Amethio says that he didn't save her, and Liko says "But I was saved. You saved me" (which, coupled with the fact that she thanked him, shows that she is grateful to Amethio for saving her, since she thought on the subject).

7 - Liko says that the Explorers are "bad" people who are after Terapagos and Rayquaza, but she feels that Amethio is different in some way. This is in the episode. I'm not making it up. It's 100% canon. I'm normal. I'm fine.

8 - Liko asks why Amethio needs Terapagos and Rayquaza, and Amethio explains that, to fulfill his grandfather's, Gibeon, dream of finding Rakua, he needs them both. (Note, Amethio explicitly says that he wants to make his grandfather's dream come true. This is the first time we hear him say that he wants something, in this case, to make someone else's dream come true).

9 - Mini note: the moment Ceruledge kneels next to Amethio when he says "I want to make my grandfather's dream come true" is so... Sweet. Interesting. As if Ceruledge is saying "I'm with you on this, you're not alone"

10 - Liko and Amethio continue to bond over the fact that they are both following their grandparents' legacy, and how their path is similar.

11-One of my favorite moments of the episode: Liko says that she was happy to have had that conversation, because before she only thought of him as an enemy. Amethio responds that he only thought of her as "the girl who has Terapagos". This tiny moment is actually huge. It is explicit in the text that Liko and Amethio's view of each other has changed. The two talked, opened up, and ended up understanding each other. Now THAT'S what I call a wholesome bonding scene

12 - My greatest wishes were fulfilled in this episode: Amethio gets up and says "Let's get out of here, Liko". LIKO. LIKO!!! HE CALLS HER BY HER NAME!!!!! I'M SO NORMAL ABOUT THIS.

13 - Amethio and Liko come up with a plan to enlarge a hole in the ceiling of the cave so they can get through safely. Ceruledge and Floragato climb onto Corviknight and use their attacks to open the hole wider. The two work very well together, and Amethio and Liko successfully exit the cave (also, considering the fact that the exit was on the roof of the cave, we can assume that Liko and Amethio rode Corviknight together, which is cute to imagine )

14 - I loved how Amethio reaches out to Liko and helps her get out of the crack they created. He is a gentleman indeed

15 - Amethio warns Liko to be careful with Spinel, because he would definitely try something like that again, which is nice of him. He hates the guy, that's a fact.

16 - Another super interesting conversation was when Liko asks Amethio why the Rising Volt Tacklers and the Explorers don't come together, since they both want the same thing, and Amethio says it's impossible. Amethio says that, even though the goals are the same, the paths are different, and that he will continue in his own way.

17 - The scene where all the admins, especially Spinel, stab Amethio in the back is heavy. Spinel and Agate did a great job of pretending they didn't know anything, and Coral and Sidian, too. To clarify, no, Amethio was not kicked out of the Explorers, at least it is not said in the episode. Gibeon says that he was disappointed in Amethio, that even Amethio was turning against him, and tells Amethio to leave, that he doesn't want to see his face. This one is HEAVY. First, we get some hints about what happened to Amethio's father (he probably betrayed the Explorers), and second, the fact that Gibeon doesn't even give Amethio the benefit of the doubt to explain what happened is horrifying. He's his grandson, you should believe what he says!

18 - The episode ends with Amethio literally shaking. He was betrayed by his colleagues, and neither his mentor nor his grandfather wanted to let him explain himself. Additionally, he has been compared to his father. This boy needs therapy.

Episode 10/10 for sure! I didn't mention the scenes with Roy, Dot, and Friede throughout the episode, because the Ameliko content was the highlight of the episode for me and is more relevant than anything else. I can't wait to see how Liko and Amethio's relationship will develop in the next arc, and what the writers will do with Amethio's character.

[the-eye-of-nox]

As a dark academic who has searched long and hard for a subculture of dark academia to wear this summer, something that matches the summer atmosphere, I am going to coin a new subculture of dark academia.

I present: Explorer Academia.

[smilingperformer]

What makes Spinel an intriquing villain to follow in Pokémon Horizons is that, he's very cunning, clearly doesn't mind crossing lines in what is ethical and all, but... his main partner Pokémon is a Pokémon that evolves through FRIENDSHIP.

He is SHOWN to care for Umbreon. His Umbreon is shown to care for him. There's no hint of ill will towards either side. Spinel clearly, absolute certainly, cares for his Pokémon, Umbreon being the number one partner. This has me very intriqued on his character and makes me wonder what is ultimate motive in helping Gibeon is.

He seems information-hungry in how he tried learning whatever he could of the pendant when stalling for time to leave. When he made a breakthrough in figuring out Liko is the key (note, Amethio did not say a word about it), he snaps. Like he unlocked some huge information that makes him unable to control his collective coolness :D Idk, he just seems super intriquing to me and I am definitely interested in learning more about him.

[sobacake2235]

Amethio + Ceruledge

Its been so long but I don't rlly have a set schedule for posting on tumblr. I just post when I feel like it. If you like my art and want to see more than follow my insta 😋

[arjengelly]

I think it would’ve been awesome if we started off here with Liko as a transfer student and the Explorers were all in disguise.

[minty-the-marill]

Here’s a little Spinel headcanon. He usually wears contacts. He wears glasses for disguises.

[minty-the-demon]

Why do I like men who would shatter my heart?

[bengal-tigers-on-petunias]

Pretty sure the zygarde might be the 'Lucius' 'Gibeon' was referring to maybe

Noticed 'Gibeon' was laying down in a chair, so I think he's got limited mobility or something along those lines, probably related to why he 'awakens' or can only interact for a short amount of time.

Some of the admins have shapes incorporated into their designs, and zygarde kinda has the hexagon shape as a leading role in its design.

[crossoverheaven]

[solar-net]

i find it odd that the writers decided to name the Explorers after gemstones in some way.

it's been making me think about it and i'm curious as to the decision behind it

[kamenstrikerace]

The gang is all here!

[trelinha9]

I hope we get some clarity on Amethio's situation in the next episode. We know the Explorers are going to show up, so I hope it becomes clearer whether he was kicked out of the Explorers or not. The subject is still a bit ambiguous, at least for me.

[galactidot]

The Explorers Analysis

With the new episode released, we got a ton of new info on the series’ original villains. I compiled everything you should know here. Tell me if I missed anything!

[potacas]

Umbreon Spinel doodle aughh

Design i use is here!

[precure-stuff]

The Explorers are all together!!! Wonder what they're planning