Japanese Title: The Ancient Monster Ball
Original Airdate: May 12, 2023
UK Airdate: December 1, 2023 (special airing)
US Airdate: March 7, 2024
The Explorers tried to get Liko and the pendant, but she was saved by her pendant once again. When Amethio tries to take Liko and the pendant, Roy steps in to protect his friend. They then battle Amethio as Liko and Roy were able to work well as a team. However, after being overwhelmed by Amethio's experience, Roy's ancient Poké Ball starts to glow and brings out the Legendary Pokémon Rayquaza, but in a shiny color. Through Rayquaza's help, the Explorers retreat. However, Rayquaza leaves to parts unknown. Despite this, Liko and Roy were excited to meet a Legendary Pokémon for the first time. After the two Paldea starters recover from the battle, Roy arrives to confess to Fuecoco that he wants it to be his Pokémon partner. Fuecoco arrives to give a Poké Ball to Roy, and he realizes that it wants him to be its partner as well. Roy then catches Fuecoco, and the two are now a team. Just when the Rising Volt Tacklers prepare to leave, Liko encourages Roy to join them in order to search for Rayquaza. Wanting to make his and Fuecoco's dreams come true along with wanting to be with his new friends, Roy decided to join the Rising Volt Tacklers with his grandfather's permission and Friede's word that his grandson will be in good hands. After bidding farewell to everyone in his hometown, Roy prepares for his journey with his friends to find Rayquaza again.
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- Actor Allusion: In the English Dub, Gibeon lets out a slight "Yeeeeeees" after conferring with Hamber. This happened to be the Verbal Tic of David Kaye's most famous role of the Predacon Leader Megatron on Beast Wars.
- Contrasting Sequel Main Character:
- Roy is the fourth main character to start with a Fire-type starter Pokémon after May, Serena, and Goh, and is the second male after Goh to get one.
- Like Giovanni before him, Gibeon is the unseen leader of the main villains whose named starts with a "G". Unlike Giovanni, who kept the bumbling Team Rocket Trio do what they wish despite their failings, Gibeon immediately reassigns Amethio for his failure to secure the pendant.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: The shiny Rayquaza utterly dominates the Explorers, who were previously making short work of the Rising Volt Tacklers and had just done the same to Liko and Roy.
- Evil Sounds Deep: Gibeon has a very deep and intimidating voice in both dubs, and is leading the evil Explorers.
- Famed In-Story: There's tales of an ancient hero from long ago that traveled the lands, and was in possession of an ancient Poké Ball. The Rising Volt Tacklers suspect there's more to this story and decide to learn more of what they can.
- Foreshadowing:
- The shiny Rayquaza gives Liko a look of familiarity before flying off, suggesting there's a connection between her and this ancient explorer.
- After being reassigned by Gibeon, Amethio takes it upon himself to secure the Rayquaza. This sets the stage for his downfall in the organization's ranks.
- Go Through Me: When Amethio attempts to take Liko and her pendant, Roy steps in to defend her, even though they haven't been together for very long.
- He Who Must Not Be Seen: Gibeon only communicates with his subordinates via voice chat, and isn't seen in any way, shape, or form.
- Kick Them While They Are Down: Spinel wastes no time in mocking Amethio's failure when the admin is booted from the Pendant assignment.
- Know When to Fold 'Em: The Explorers realize that they're no match for Rayquaza, and decide to cut their losses and run.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: The shiny Rayquaza refuses to be called back to the Poké Ball, and flies off on its own.
- Wham Shot: The Ancient Poké Ball opens up, and out pops a powerhouse that nobody expected—Rayquaza, and a shiny one to boot!
- The Worf Effect: Amethio, Zirc, and Conia are bested when the shiny Rayquaza unleashes a powerful Draco Meteor, just moments after it emerged from its capsule.
- You Have Failed Me: As punishment for his failure to secure the pendant, Amethio is removed from the assignment by Gibeon, and replaced by Spinel.
