Pokemon Horizons episode 54 recap: Friede and Cap's investigation

While Pokemon Horizons Episode 54 still follows the adventures of Liko, Roy, and Dot during their Terastal Training, it also centers back on Friede and Captain Pikachu, who are investigating the adventurer Lucius and the paradise of Laqua. The dynamic duo ultimately runs into corporate confrontation, and a major secret about the Explorers' leader is revealed.

With some surprising revelations, a reunion of old friends, and plenty of action with the series' beloved Electric Mouse Pokemon, this episode has plenty to offer. Since this is the case, it doesn't hurt to kick off our Pokemon Horizons Episode 54 recap for those who may have missed the latest entry in the series.

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Recapping Pokemon Horizons Episode 54 "The Eternal Blessing"

Friede studies Lucius' journal in Pokemon Horizons Episode 54 (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Pokemon Horizons Episode 54 kicks off with Friede studying the journal of the adventurer Lucius and his hidden paradise known as Laqua, which was the major narrative focus of Horizons' Sparkling of Terapagos arc. Orla arrives and offers Friede a drink, before revealing that he's attempting to determine the links between Terapagos, Laqua, Lucius, and the Paldea region itself.

Orla states that she's halfway finished with repairs to the Brave Olivine during the conflict with Lucius' Black Rayquaza, and she has an idea to boost the airship's abilities. Friede endorses the idea, and Captain Pikachu also shares his own approval. Friede and Cap decide to head out, as the former states he has something he wants to figure out about the mysteries of Terapagos.

Our Pokemon Horizons Episode 54 recap then transitions to Liko, Roy, and Dot, who are finally close to returning to Mesagoza City and Naranja Academy. The group is surprised when they're stopped by Ann, Liko's friend and classmate from Indigo Academy in the early episodes of the series. Ann reveals she is also undertaking Terastal Training and is headed back to Naranja Academy.

Liko reunites with Ann in Pokemon Horizons Episode 54 (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Dot asks for a break, so the Pokemon Horizons heroes stop to have some snacks. Liko reveals the story behind her grandmother's pendant and Terapagos, as well as her adventures with her friends, in the Rising Volt Tacklers. Liko and Roy then state that they're undertaking the Terastal Training course to help bring Terapagos to Laqua, and Ann compliments Liko on how much she's grown as a person.

The conversation is cut short when Ann's Dewott begins running away from Dot's Tinkatink, who wants to take Dewott's scalchops. Friede calls Liko and asks about when Terapagos resonated with Lucius' Lapras and Galarian Moltres and the visions that appeared earlier in Pokemon Horizons. The group remembers a pink mist that appeared, and Friede believes it's connected to Laqua and Terapagos.

One of Dewott's scalchops nearly hits our Pokemon Horizons protagonists after the call, but Terapagos catches it in its mouth and gives it back to the Water-type starter Pokemon as the kids laugh. Meanwhile, Friede and Cap arrive at a massive skyscraper owned by the Exceed Corporation, where Friede apologizes for leaving the company to its director, a man named Crave.

Friede meets with Director Crave in Pokemon Horizons Episode 54 (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Crave states that Friede has a love of Pokemon and wasn't suited for a company setting, but tells her that he's continued his research surrounding the betterment of humans and Pokemon. Friede then asks about the "Eternal Blessing" that he once researched at Exceed, but only for a short amount of time. Crave states he can't help much, but offers Friede his old company ID card.

With his security credentials returned, our Pokemon Horizons professor sets off into the lab with Captain Pikachu, where the latter is shocked by a Joltik presumptively owned by an Exceed researcher who recognizes Friede. They call Cap cute, which causes his allergies to act up in a fit of sneezing. Friede asks his former coworker for assistance surrounding the Eternal Blessing project.

The researcher shows Friede images from the project, including a strange pink crystal in containment. However, the researcher's computer is locked out of the database, prompting Friede to head to the basement of the lab to find out more himself. The Pokemon Horizons duo takes an elevator underground where they find a darkened corridor that Cap lights up with his electric cheek discharge.

The Eternal Blessing crystal shown on a researcher's computer in Pokemon Horizons Episode 54 (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Using his ID card, Friede and Cap open a nearby door and encounter a Watchog, a Bisharp, and an Orbeetle, ready for battle. Cap creates clones of himself and battles all three of the Pokemon at once, taking them out with Thunder Punches as he and Friede run ahead. The latter wonders why there are guard Pokemon in the basement when the Eternal Blessing project was supposed to be finished.

A security camera notices our Pokemon Horizons duo, and Cap immediately breaks the camera, causing an alarm to trigger in the area. Friede and Cap enter a nearby lab and notice a container for the Eternal Blessing crystal, and the plaque refers to the crystal as "Laqurium", but the crystal is nowhere to be seen. Friede and Cap go to leave, and they're ambushed by Exceed security members.

Friede attempts to explain why he's in the lab but realizes that it won't work and sends out his Charizard. Cap uses Volt Tackle to clear the way as Friede rides Charizard through the clearing and the group manages to make their way through a secure door as Spinel of the Explorers looks on from the shadows while dressed as an Exceed researcher.

Friede, Cap, and Charizard encounter Exceed security in Pokemon Horizons Episode 54 (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Our Pokemon Horizons Episode 54 recap continues with Friede and Cap who have escaped, but Friede is wondering who took the Laqurium as Spinel's Beheeyem watches from above. Meanwhile, Liko, Roy, Dot, and Ann return to Mesagoza City and the episode cuts to Amethio of the Explorers, who has been brought before the group's leader Gibeon.

The Pokemon Horizons antagonist finally makes his first physical appearance in the series with his shiny 10% Forme Zygarde alongside him, with the two shrouded in a pink mist. Gibeon demands to see Amethio's resolve, as the Laqurium is essential to the Explorers' "eternal prosperity". Gibeon goes on to say that he's waiting for the true awakening of the "key": Terapagos.

Gibeon tells Amethio to capture Terapagos once it has awakened and to prove himself as an heir of his blood. Amethio replies that it is an honor to be Gibeon's grandson, revealing the familial ties between these two antagonists. As Amethio departs, Hamber of the Explorers praises Amethio for how he handled himself, but Amethio says he will uphold his grandfather's will and is nothing like his father.

Gibeon finally shows his face in Pokemon Horizons Episode 54 (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Departing with his Ceruledge, Amethio is called and informed that Spinel is on the move. The callers are revealed to be Onia and Zirc, who are hiding out near the Exceed building. Amethio tells the two Explorers not to follow Spinel too closely, also remarking that he was wise to monitor his fellow administrator, vowing he won't fail as he did against the black Rayquaza.