After leaving Camp Everfree, the group runs into an old acquaintance, but learn his Pokémon has started disobeying him after evolving.
- Brutal Honesty: When Flash shows excitement at passing through the Grand Desert, Spike says it seems like Flash has some kind of addiction at taking the most dangerous route possible, and how he always seems to lead them to dangerous locations.
- The Bus Came Back: Heath Burns returns for the first time since his debut appearance during The Hoof Cup, with his Lizash having evolved into a Blazard off-screen.
- Continuity Nod: Spike lists Ghastly Gorge, an Underground Tunnel, and the Everfree Forest as the dangerous locations Flash has led them through previously.
- Plot-Mandated Friendship Failure: After Heath's Lizash evolves into Blazard, it starts disobeying him and eventually breaks its Pokeball, becoming wild again and forcing Heath to earn its respect back.
- Ridiculously Difficult Route: Spike lampshades how the group always seems to take the most dangerous route possible to each town.
- Shout-Out: The Author's Notes at the end of the chapter compare Pokémon evolution to Time Lord regeneration as a reason to explain why some Pokémon have a drastic change in personality after evolving to the point of disobeying their trainer.
- Took a Level in Badass: Heath Burn's Lizash evolves into a Blazard. However, it takes some time for it to start obeying Heath again after this.
- Took a Level in Kindness: Continuing from her development at camp, Twilight is now much nicer and respectful towards Flash. When Spike claims that Flash is always leading them into dangerous locations, Twilight speaks in his defense, claiming she is the one who plans the routes and they all agree to take them beforehand.
