Warning: Spoilers for Pokémon Horizons, episode #81

Pokémon Horizons may be heading into its final saga, if the latest episode's ending is anything to go by. When combined with other information recently made available, it looks like Liko's quest to Laqua may be headed for an ending.

The heroes of Horizons have been on a quest to gather the Six Heroes, six unusual Pokémon who once belonged to the Ancient Adventurer Lucius. With four of the six already in their hands, they're well on their way to achieving that goal, and episode #81 puts Liko and friends in battle with the fifth of Lucius' Pokémon, the Paradox Pokémon Gouging Fire. Defeating the unknown Pokémon required some quick thinking and in-depth analysis of its abilities and typing, along with a concerted group effort. It was a real challenge, forcing Liko and friends' Pokémon to the limit.

Pokémon Horizons' Protagonists Face a Difficult Battle Against a Paradox Pokémon

Gouging Fire Tested the Heroes' Strength

Gouging Fire started off by stealing Lucius' belt, along with the other four Pokémon they'd already collected, forcing them to defeat it if they wanted to reclaim the belt. Initially believing it to be a strange Entei, it soon became apparent that Gouging Fire's weaknesses were different from those of Entei. Dot was able to deduce Gouging Fire was part Dragon, and possessed a powerful ability that powered it up in the sunlight. As the heroes gathered more info, they were able to recalibrate their strategy, and eventually managed to defeat Gouging Fire and retake the belt.

Gouging Fire agreed to go with them once defeated, but instead of entering its ball, the other four emerged from their balls, and together they put out a call to summon the Black Rayquaza, the last of the Six Heroes. Based on the next episode preview, the group is in for a difficult battle with Rayquaza, with their Pokémon already tired out from fighting Gouging Fire. Assuming they're able to prevail, however, the heroes will now have all of the Six Heroes at their disposal, and will be ready to make their way to the hidden paradise of Laqua at last.

Is Pokémon Horizons Coming to an End?

The Series' Story Arc is At Its End

With the Six Heroes in their possession, the main story arc of Pokémon Horizons is going to be drawing to a close soon. Based on the titles of episodes posted on reliable fan site Serebii, episode #85 will see the cast arriving in Laqua, while #86 will see a clash between the Rising Volt Tacklers and the Explorers in paradise. It looks quite a bit like Pokémon Horizons' main storyline is ending, but does that mean the end of Liko and Roy's adventure? That's harder to say for sure; the series could move into a new storyline and continue featuring the same characters, or it could simply end.

At the very least, there's still at least half-a-dozen episodes to go before Pokémon Horizons approaches anything close to an ending, but fans may want to keep an eye out for news on the series' future.