Media Essays: Re-Writing Pokémon Horizons Season 3 Part 2

Continued from Part 1

Episodes 55 and 56: The Elite Four Two-Parter

Episode 55 plays out the same as the original episode with Liko, Roy, Dot and Ann returning to Naranja Academy to give their reports on their Basics Tests and their wild Pokémon reports. Like before, a special tournament is held for course members in where the Paldea Elite Four will take on the challengers and the challengers are partnered up with a Gym Leader in order to make it a fair fight. The match-ups are the same as before with Dot and Iono against Poppy, Roy and Brassius against Hassel and Liko and Katy against Rika. However, the results of these battles will not be the same as in the original episode. For starters, Dot and Iono will lose their battle to Poppy. Dot absolutely should NOT be winning battles against the Elite Four before Liko or Roy do as she's so behind on her training compared to them. Dot beating Poppy was stupid and everyone knows it, so Dot and Iono will lose in this version. What about Roy? He loses too. There's no way that Roy or Brassius can realistically win a fight against Hassel, so they still lose their battle.

But what about Liko and Katy? Well...let's talk about that. Episode 56 is devoted to Liko and Katy's battle with Rika with Dot and Penny getting their own subplot. That remains unchanged. What DOESN'T remain unchanged is the outcome of the battle. You see, Katy will perform her epic moment with Lokix in where it proceeds to give Rika's Pokémon a thrashing while poisoned. The poison wipes out Lokix in the end...but at the same time, Rika's Dugtrio is paralyzed by its Bounce attack. Unlike in the original episode where Katy VERY idiotically tells Liko to keep attacking Clodsire instead of focusing on taking down Dugtrio while it's paralyzed, she instead points out that Liko's got an opportunity to win here. After all, the rules of the tournament say the challenger wins if at least ONE of the Elite Four's Pokémon is knocked out. Seeing what Katy means, Liko Terastallizes Floragato and has her blast the paralyzed Dugtrio with a Tera-Boosted Magical Leaf. The plan is that a Tera-Boosted Magical Leaf will guarantee a knock-out. Dugtrio can't dodge thanks to paralysis and Clodsire is much too slow to even attempt to shield its teammate, so Dugtrio gets hit point blank. Dugtrio is defeated and Rika is eliminated as a result, making Liko and Katy the winners of the battle.

And before you ask, yes, the crying scene will remain untouched here, only in this version, she's crying tears of joy instead of frustration. As I pointed out in Part 1, Liko does not need to go on this losing streak in order to get character development. As you see in this version, she can still learn a lesson in taking battles seriously and having fun with them WITHOUT losing! And besides, she doesn't need to learn that lesson anyway. Unlike the writers of this show, I remember that Episode 7 happened, and that episode had Liko express a desire to become stronger in order to protect the pendant and those she holds dear, thus she's already learnt to take battles more seriously. In this case, Rika will have taught Liko how to have fun as well during a battle. Also, despite winning, Liko acknowledges another important fact that will factor into her growth: that she still has a long way to go. While she DID win, Liko humbly acknowledges that she only won because Katy did all the hard work. She doesn't feel like it was HER win, per say, and that if she's to stop the Explorers and make it to Laqua/Rakua, then she needs to be able to hold her own without having others hold her hand. Don't you think that's a MUCH better lesson for Liko to learn and a great bit of character development for her? Much better than just making her lose for the millionth time and pretending its "character development", am I right?

Episode 57 will be left as it is with the only exception being the changes in the rules I mentioned in Part 1. As a recap, in this version the implementation test requires a win in order to pass and if you lose, you only get ONE extra chance. Oh and since Ann's part of the group, we get her Implementation Test added as well. Liko has Grusha, Roy has Ryme, Dot has Larry and Ann has Tulip. So let's get into...

Episodes 58-68: The Implementation Tests

The Kingambit episode is skipped entirely, making Episode 58 the episode where Dot and Larry battle instead. Just like before, Dot loses and given the rules of the test in this re-write, Dot has to battle Larry again for a chance to pass or else the course is over for her. Episode 59 is instead focused on Dot preparing for her rematch with Larry. She reckons her problem is a lack of type-coverage, so she trains with Quaxwell and Tinkatink in order to sharpen their moves and try to learn more Fighting-type attacks. Ann offers to help and a quick sparring match ends with Tinkatink learning Brick Break. Confident, Dot has her rematch with Larry. Tinkatink is up first against Dudunsparce and Tinkatink performs a lot better, even hitting Dudunsparce with her new Brick Break attack. However, Dudunsparce is a bit too strong and takes her down as a result. However, Tinkatink's efforts have weakened Dudunsparce enough for Quaxwell to defeat it with Low Kick. Luckily, it was taken down before it could use Glare, so Larry's Starraptor is up against an un-paralyzed Quaxwell. The fight is pretty even until both sides Terastallize and whale on each other with a Tera-Boosted Liquidation and Facade respectively. Both sides look to be wiped out...but Quaxwell is able to stand back up again. Starraptor stays down, making Dot the winner of the battle and allowing her to pass her test.

Episode 60 is instead Ann's Implementation Test against Tulip instead of a filler episode with our heroes seeing snow for the first time. The kids travel to Alfornada so Ann can battle the Psychic-type Gym Leader. They find Tulip in the middle of a fashion show and she cuts it short so she and Ann can battle. The battle is Ann's Dewott and Sandslash against Tulip's Espartha and Florges. Sandslash and Espartha battle first with Sandlash getting some big hits with Rollout and Dig. Espartha however is quite speedy with Quick Attack and proves to be hard to hit. Sandlash is eventually taken down, but Espartha has exhausted itself just trying to win, so Dewott is able to finish it off shortly after. Florges is sent in and true to the games, it knows Petal Blizzard, something that puts Dewott in a bind. Luckily, Ann commands it to use Aerial Ace to slice through the petals or Detect to dodge them. Tulip is impressed with Ann's fighting style and Terastallizes Florges into a Tera Psychic-type. Ann follows suit with her Dewott and both strike at each other with Tera Boosted Psychic and Water Pulse respectively. It appears as if Florges has the upper hand, but Dewott dodges at the last second with Detect and goes behind Florges. It attacks with a Tera Boosted Razor Shell, taking Florges down at last. Ann wins the battle and passes the test first try, feeling this makes up for her loss to Kofu as she won the battle AND passed the test. Liko is overjoyed for Ann and the two friends hug each other in delight.

Episode 61 is a breather episode with the kids enjoying seeing snow for the first time, only there's no Fuecoco getting lost and the conflict involves having to avoid a wild Beartic. Episode 62 will see the kids arrive at Montenevra and Roy has his Implementation Test with Ryme. There is no battle with Roy and MC Sledge, so more time can be devoted to Roy vs. Ryme. Kilowattrel lasts longer against Houndstone and doesn't go down in one hit and Fuecoco doesn't defeat Houndstone instantly either. The battles last longer and more hits are landed. The final battle is Toxtricity vs. Fuecoco and just like last time, Roy loses the battle and fails the test as a result. Episode 63 will be a training episode and unlike in the original version, the ENTIRE episode is devoted to Roy training with Nemona instead of squeezing it and the rematch in a single episode. It also allows Kilowattrel to have some screentime too. During the training, Kilowattrel learns Air Slash. Episode 64 will be the rematch against Roy and Ryme and because there's more time devoted to it, it's a two-on-two again. Houndstone and Kilowattrel start off and this time, Kilowattrel wins with its new Air Slash attack. Toxtricity comes in and takes it down after, leaving Fuecoco to fight Toxtricity again. Unlike in the actual episode, Roy doesn't dominate this rematch. It's a more even contest but when Roy unleashes his new song, it begins to turn the tide in his favour. Both opponents Terastallize and give it their all, but Fuecoco just manages to come out on top. Roy has won the rematch and thus passes his test.

Episode 65 sees our heroes reach Glaseado Mountain and Liko and Grusha have their Gym Battle as in the original episode. However, Hattrem will last longer in the fight and not go down quickly. Cetitan still wins, but Floragato defeats Cetitan thanks to damage done by Hattrem. Altaria comes out next and Floragato puts up her best effort, only for Altaria to come out on top. Liko has failed, but unlike in the original, there IS a do-over. Liko only has one other chance at this. Episode 66 sees Liko and friends going into the mountains to train up for Liko's rematch. However, they get ambushed by Amethio. He's going against Gibeon's wishes, feeling that letting them get stronger like this only gives the RVT a chance to fight back against the Explorers, so he intends to seize Terapagos while the kids are still training and still growing. His Ceruledge goes up against Floragato and the two tussle with Floragato keeping Ceruledge on its toes to the point Amethio is forced to Terastalize to gain the upperhand. However, Hattrem comes out to help with Heal Pulse to heal Floragato and Burtal Swing on Ceruledge, dealing heavy damage. The resulting battle causes a landslide and Liko and Amethio are swept away in the snow. The two are separated from the others and have to find shelter from the cold, so they go into a nearby cave together. They start a fire and Hattrem is fascinated by Amethio's Ceruledge's fiery abilities. She tries to copy and ends up learning Mystical Fire as a result. Liko is inspired by this, seeing a chance to win her rematch. Liko and Amethio have their conversation like in the Liko and Amethio episode and they part ways on cordial terms, but this doesn't lead to Amethio getting kicked out of the Explorers. As I've said, it's too early for this kind of development and Amethio hasn't appeared enough times for it to happen, so I'd save it for Season 4 instead of cramming it into this season.

Anyway, Episode 68 has Liko and Grusha have their rematch and thanks to Hattrem's new Mystical Fire, she wins against Cetitan. Altaria takes down Hattrem, but not before Hattrem gives it a pummelling with Brutal Swing. Floragato comes back into the fray and the two battle like last time. Thanks to Hattrem's efforts, Altaria is weak enough for Floragato to take the win, doing so with a Tera and Overgrowth boosted Magical Leaf combo again. During the battle, Grusha notices that Liko has had a change in demeanour with Liko acknowledging the battle with Rika had her acknowledge that she needs to be able to hold her own without someone backing her up. Thus, she's more determined to win than ever and can't fail now, not when she's this close to achieving her goals. Grusha accepts that his cold-hearted behaviour was wrong and applauds Liko on her efforts, passing her with flying colours. This as you can see is way better than what we got in the original version where Grusha just fails Liko for no reason, is unnecessarily cruel to her and Liko never gets the chance to redeem herself and prove him wrong. Here, Grusha gets to eat some humble pie, Liko gets the rematch she deserves and we still get the developments with Amethio along the way. See, I told you Liko can have all these big character development moments without getting her ass kicked all the time. =P

With Liko's test over, all four kids have passed their tests and can go back to Naranja Academy victorious.

Episodes 69-70: The Climax

Unlike in the original series, the series finale will be Liko and friends against the Explorers, not a battle with Liko vs. Roy that has no stakes to it. Instead, the Liko and Roy battle is the penultimate episode of the season and it's a 2-v-2 like in the original episode. However, unlike that episode where the writers (very idiotically) made Roy win when it should've been Liko's big win, the battle gets interrupted when the Explorers carry out their big scheme. The reason for this is so we can leave it ambiguous as to who would've won and it saves favouring one over the other. Believe me, I could've EASILY made Liko win instead, but I want to prove I can do this rewrite without playing favourites, so nobody wins in this version, it gets interrupted before we get a winner. Also, unlike the original episode where we had a poorly written fight that made Roy's victory feel scripted instead of genuine, the fight between Liko and Roy here will be better written with no conveniences in Roy's favour just so he can win. Kilowattrel won't suddenly be powerful, Hattrem won't go down in two hits, Liko will remember that Floragato can use Acrobatics and Fuecoco won't conveniently evolve just so Roy can win.

We then finish off with Episode 70 where it's Naranja Academy against the Explorers and all hell breaks loose thanks to Chalce invading the system. Just like in the original episode, we get Liko and Roy vs. Sidian and Coral respectively and Dot teams up with Penny to stop Chalce. However, because Liko has already passed her test in this version, she's able to Terastalize without fear of being reprimanded. Also, like in the original Season 3, Roy's Fuecoco will evolve into Crocalor during the finale, only this time it's during the battle with Coral's Glaile rather than against Liko's Floragato. Liko and Roy win their battles while Chalce gets away with the stolen data just like in the original episode. The Explorers are defeated and sent packing and Liko, Roy and Dot are hailed as the heroes of Naranja Academy. Friede congratulates the three on how far they've come and informs the kids the Brave Asagi is fixed at last, so they can now resume their journey to find Laqua/Rakua. The kids bid farewell to the school and they set off to parts unknown.

Meanwhile, Gibeon hears the reports on the kids from his subordinates and simply says that it's good they've gotten so strong. That way, they're more likely to succeed in doing the legwork for them and they'll swipe Terapagos and Rayquaza from them before they even know it...

Conclusion

And that's my re-write of Pokémon Horizons Season 3. As you can see, if the season had played out like this, we would've had a better paced story with no wasted characters, Liko wouldn't be a punching bag, Roy wouldn't be a glory hound, there'd be more stakes to the conflicts at hand and the battles are less repetitive. This really is how Season 3 should've been handled in my eyes and it's a damn pity that it turned out the way it did. If they'd done it like this, then we could've had Pokémon Horizons' best season yet. Instead, it ended up being aggravating to sit through. I wouldn't say it's the worst season of the show, that dishonour still goes to Season 2. At least Season 3 didn't grind the plot to a halt just to waste time doing nothing interesting for several episodes and Season 3 at least had a clear idea on the story it wanted to tell. But still, this arc should've been great and instead it felt like a pain to watch at times. All I can say now is roll on Season 4. I am SO done with Terastal Debut right now, Rise of Rayquaza should hopefully be a less frustrating experience...

I hope you enjoyed this two-part essay and I invite you all to share your comments down below. Do you think my re-write is an improvement? Do you think the original season is fine as it is? Let me know.

Next week, I'll be counting down 10 of the Worst Villains in Media. See you then media fans!