After finally arriving at the base of Mount Tartarus, Flash and Springer make a surprise discovery, reuniting with Springer's old pack. After discovering they are being abused and controlled by the Lucario that attacked Springer years ago, Springer steps up to save his old friends, by defeating the Lucario responsible for him being unable to evolve. Meanwhile, Flash wonders if Springer would be happier remaining among his pack with his family.
- Asskicking Leads to Leadership: After Springer challenges and defeats the evil Lucario, the rest of the pack seems to accept him as their new leader. However, Springer declines the position so he can stay with Flash and seemingly passes leadership on to one of his old friends in the pack.
- Distinguishing Mark: Flash recognizes the Lucario as the same one that attacked him and Springer six years ago because of the scar across its left eye it received from Shining Armor's Squiron.
- Family of Choice: The pack may be Springer's old family, but it is clear he sees Flash, the rest of his team, and his friends as his true family.
- I Choose to Stay: When Springer is given the opportunity to stay with his old pack as their new leader, he instead makes it clear he wants to stay with Flash.
- Laser-Guided Karma: The Lucario that was responsible for Springer being unable to evolve ends up defeated by him, and all of the Riolu that he had abused and kept under his rule turn against him afterwards and end up throwing him out of the pack.
- Mythology Gag: Flash trying to leave Springer with his pack, and Springer chasing after him and the two reuniting as they are cheered on, is just like when Ash tried to do the same to Pikachu in "Pikachu's Goodbye". A link to the song “The Time Has Come”, the same song from that episode, is even included.
- Revenge: Subverted with Springer. Flash and the Lucario initially think that Springer wants revenge on it for what it did to him six years ago, but Springer says he isn't doing this for revenge, he's just making sure the other Riolu don't suffer under Lucario's abuse anymore.
- Secret Handshake: Springer seems to have something like this with one of his old friends in his old pack. When they are reunited, they both press their paws against the other's and glow with aura for a few moments before they pull away and hug each other. At the end of the chapter they repeat this, with the implication that Springer is passing leadership of the pack on to his friend.
- Shoo the Dog: Flash attempts this with Springer, trying to leave him with his old pack due to thinking he will be happier with his old friends and family and protect them as their new leader. Springer follows after him though, and makes it clear he chooses to stay with Flash.
- Small Name, Big Ego: The Lucario boasts that it is the greatest Lucario that has ever lived. In reality it is far from it, in both strength and attitude.
