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{{EpicodePrevNext|
prevcode=HZ043 |
prevtitle=A Challenge from the Explorers |
nextcode=HZ045 |
nexttitle=From So Far Away |
series=Pokémon Horizons: The Series |
colorscheme=Paldea}}
{{EpisodeInfobox|
epcode=HZ044 |
altepcode=EP1276 |
colorscheme=Paldea |
title_en=The Plan to Capture Rayquaza |
title_ja=レックウザ捕獲計画 |
title_ja_trans=A Plan to Capture Rayquaza |
broadcast_jp=March 22, 2024 |
broadcast_us=November 22, 2024 |
en_op=[[Becoming Me]]<!--<span style="font-size:x-small">(international)</span><br>[[We Go|We Go (English Ver.)]] <span style="font-size:x-small">(Asia)</span>--> |
ja_op=[[Halo|ハロ]] |
ja_ed=[[RVR ~Rising Volt Tacklers Rap~|RVR〜ライジングボルテッカーズラップ〜[フリードVer.PART2]]] |
olmteam=Team Kato |
scenarion=1 |
scenario=松澤くれは |
storyboardn=1 |
storyboard=髙木啓明 |
directorn=1 |
director=髙木啓明 |
artn=5 |
art=忍田雄介 |
art2=倉員千晶 |
art3=大西雅也 |
art4=岡昭彦 |
art5=大川義史 |
morecredits=yes |
epstaffpage=HZ041-HZ050 |
footnotes=* {{BMGf|300748|Preview thread on BMGf}} ''Closed''
* {{BMGf|301099|Original review thread on BMGf}}
* {{BMGf|303256|Dub review thread on BMGf}}
}}
'''The Plan to Capture Rayquaza''' (Japanese: '''レックウザ捕獲計画''' ''A Plan to Capture Rayquaza'') is the 44th episode of ''[[Pokémon Horizons: The Series]]'', and the 1,276th episode of the [[Pokémon animated series]]. It first aired in Japan on March 22, 2024, in the United Kingdom on September 9, 2024, and is scheduled to air in the United States on November 22, 2024.
{{spoilers}}
<!--
==Blurb==
Official Blurb from Pokémon.com goes here, with source link-->
<!--Please do not alter the blurb to fix any errors, they are meant to be presented as they are on the official site.-->

==Plot==
[[Friede]] goes to the island with the suspicious tower to check out what the [[Explorers]] are up too. He finds the tower and sees [[Spinel]]'s {{p|Magneton}} and {{p|Beheeyem}} circling it, before spotting Spinel himself and his {{p|Umbreon}} going inside. Friede heads back to the [[Brave Olivine]] and shows his findings to the rest of the [[Rising Volt Tacklers]]. Seeing the photos, Liko and Roy recognize Spinel as the one who [[HZ016|once]] stole Liko's pendant in [[Levincia]]. Figuring the tower must be what the Explorers must be using to summon the [[Black Rayquaza]], Friede decides to use [[Captain Pikachu]]'s electricity to destroy it, while [[Dot]] says she can put together a shutdown program. Friede's ready to charge in any time, but the ship would be easy to spot, as would be arriving on {{TP|Friede|Charizard}}, so he instead has [[Ludlow]] get a boat ready. Liko and Roy offer to come along, and though Friede initially tries to refuse, seeing that determine stares on their faces convinces him otherwise, so he just tells everyone else to wait at the airship.

The group arrives at the island on a boat, Friede telling them not to make a sound. They pass a group of {{p|Combee}}, and a {{p|Vespiquen}} ends up spooking {{TP|Roy|Fuecoco}}, forcing Roy to shush him. Friede urges everyone on, and they all shush Cap when he gives the command. The group eventually arrives at the tower, slowly walking up to the door, which, to Friede's surprise and suspicion, is unlocked. He has Ludlow look after the kids as he enters the tower. He and Cap look around before the door suddenly shuts behind them, trapping them inside to Liko's distress. Friede tells Spinel that the others missed out on his trap. Spinel appears, and Friede remembers his voice from [[HZ014|his assault]] in the Levincia alleyway. The Explorers admin explains that this tower was made to hold Friede, who calls out to the children and tells them this is the wrong place. Ludlow asks the children to stay calm and leave Friede to his battle. Liko takes a breath to calm herself down before going with the group to search for the right tower.

At the {{DL|East Province (Area Two)|Levincia Lighthouse}}, [[Chalce]] uses soundwaves from a speaker to start summoning the Black Rayquaza. Coral has a hard time believing it will work. She also asks where [[Amethio]] is, and Chalce says that it was Spinel's idea that the four of them finish the mission without him. Coral remarks on Spinel hating Amethio being pampered before [[Sidian]] tells her to get back to her post. Spinel reveals to Friede that the device they are using is a resonance generator made for the purpose of recreating the same energy output {{an|Terapagos}} emits when calling to Rayquaza. Friede wonders if they can even beat Rayquaza if they do summon it, and Spinel says that three other admins are already there to subdue it, saying that he is using them to {{pkmn2|Caught|catch}} it without him needing to do anything. Friede is about to send out his Charizard, but he hesitates as Spinel points out that its flying capabilities would be useless in this confined space. As such, Captain Pikachu offers to fight Umbreon instead, which Spinel scoffs at. Spinel starts by having Umbreon use {{m|Snarl}}. Cap takes the hit and uses {{m|Double Team}} and {{m|Thunder Punch}}, which Umbreon blocks with {{m|Reflect}}. Cap uses Double Team again, and Umbreon responds by wiping all the clones out with {{m|Quick Attack}}. Cap meets Umbreon head on with Thunder Punch, but the {{pkmn|category|Moonlight Pokémon}} gets behind him and lands a hit with {{m|Foul Play}}. While Friede wonders what their next move should be, Captain Pikachu points out the crack him hitting the wall caused, giving Friede an idea.

Meanwhile, Liko, Roy, and Ludlow have failed to find anything on the island, thinking they should search Levincia instead since it is close by. Terapagos, emerging from Liko's [[bag]], turns her attention to the Levincia Lighthouse, with Liko and Roy suddenly sensing the Black Rayquaza's presence from above. The clouds part, and sunlight pours down as Rayquaza descends and lets out a mighty roar. Elsewhere, [[Iono]], who is in the middle of a stream, also spots Rayquaza in the distance. The group heads to the lighthouse on their boat, Ludlow sending out his {{p|Quagsire}} and speed them up with {{m|Hydro Pump}}. Chalce sees that Rayquaza has let its guard down, just like Spinel predicted, having Coral and Sidian move in to attack. The two admins have {{p|Glalie}} and {{p|Garganacl}} attack Rayquaza with {{m|Blizzard}} and {{m|Salt Cure}}, respectively. Chalce joins in too, commanding her {{p|Medicham}} to use {{m|Psybeam}}. The group arrives at the lighthouse, spotting the generator they used to lure in Rayquaza and informing the Brave Olivine about it. Dot finishes the shutdown program, but says that she'll have to connect it to the machine directly. As [[Murdock]] offers to help, Dot looks at her Pokémon, saying that she'll go. The group is shocked by this, Murdock protesting against Dot's decision. However, Dot says that if Liko and Roy can fight out there, then so can she. Moved to tears by Dot's bravery, Murdock agrees, and the team starts moving in.

Back in the other tower, Cap uses Thunder Punch, which Umbreon repeatedly intercepts with Foul Play and throws Cap against the wall. While Spinel remains confident that Pikachu's efforts will amount to nothing in the cramped space, Friede is ready to execute his plan and commands Cap to use {{m|Volt Tackle}}. Umbreon uses Reflect, and Cap responds by turning around and bouncing off the barrier, which provides enough force to break through the cracked wall. Spinel is surprised by this, as Friede escapes on his Charizard and heads for the Levincia Lighthouse. Looking after him, Spinel decides Friede is worth studying further.

With Rayquaza covered in ice and salt crystals from Coral and Sidian's attacks, Chalce pulls out an [[Ultra Ball]] to catch it. Liko and Roy confront her, only to be challenged by Sidian. The Brave Olivine arrives on the scene, and Roy has Fuecoco use {{m|Stomping Tantrum}} to shake up the lighthouse. {{TP|Liko|Sprigatito}} uses Quick Attack to distract Sidian and Garganacl as Chalce throws the Ultra Ball at Rayquaza. However, Roy has {{TP|Roy|Wattrel}} use {{m|Spark}} to knock it away. Medicham retaliates with Psybeam, which blows Wattrel out of the air, with Roy catching it before [[recall]]ing it. Coral and Glalie try to attack next, but Friede stops them with Charizard's {{m|Flamethrower}}. Murdock positions the airship above the lighthouse, Dot jumping down to face Chalce while using her Nidothing suit to cushion the landing. She has {{TP|Dot|Quaxly}} and {{TP|Dot|Tinkatink}} keep Medicham busy while she comes out of her suit and plugs her [[Rotom Phone]] into the generator, shutting it down with her program. She quickly retreats and praises her Pokémon, Roy and Liko praising her as well.

With a roar, Rayquaza breaks free from the ice and salt crystals. Chalce commands Medicham to use {{m|Zen Headbutt}} on the Sky High Pokémon, but before the move can connect, Rayquaza uses {{m|Draco Meteor}}, which hits Medicham, wreaks havoc on the area, and destroys the Explorers' resonance generator. The meteors rain down all around the Brave Olivine as well, making it rock violently and forcing Murdock to start pulling out for now. Crying out in frustration, an enraged Coral recklessly charges towards Rayquaza against Chalce's protest, leaping off Glalie as it flies into its {{m|Dragon Pulse}} using {{m|Self-Destruct}}. The violent explosion is enough to send Rayquaza reeling back and crashing straight into the Brave Olivine, causing massive damage on the airship and horrifying everyone as it starts slowly falling from the sky.

==Major events==
<!-- This is not for summarizing everything that happens in this episode. Only events pertaining to the series as a whole, such as catching and releasing Pokémon and obtaining Badges, go here. -->
* [[Friede]] meets [[Spinel]] in person for the first time and has another {{pkmn|battle}} against him.
* The [[Explorers]] begin their operation to capture the [[Black Rayquaza]].
* The [[Rising Volt Tacklers]] confront the Explorers to stop their plan.
* The [[Brave Olivine]] suffers major damage when the Black Rayquaza is sent crashing into it.
{{animeevents}}

===Debuts===
====Pokémon debuts====
* {{p|Vivillon}} ({{form|Vivillon|Fancy Pattern}})

==Characters==
===Humans===
* [[Liko]]
* [[Roy]]
* [[Friede]]
* [[Mollie]]
* [[Orla]]
* [[Ludlow]]
* [[Murdock]]
* [[Dot]]
* [[Iono]]
* [[Spinel]]
* [[Coral]]
* [[Sidian]]
* [[Chalce]]

===Pokémon===
* {{p|Sprigatito}} ({{OP|Liko|Sprigatito}})
* {{p|Rotom}} ([[Liko]]'s; [[Rotom Phone]])
* {{p|Fuecoco}} ({{OP|Roy|Fuecoco}})
* {{p|Wattrel}} ({{OP|Roy|Wattrel}})
* {{p|Charizard}} ({{OP|Friede|Charizard}})
* {{p|Pikachu}} ([[Friede]]'s; [[Captain Pikachu]])
* {{p|Rotom}} ([[Friede]]'s; [[Rotom Phone]])
* {{p|Chansey}} ({{OP|Mollie|Chansey}})
* {{p|Quagsire}} ([[Ludlow]]'s)
* {{p|Rotom}} ([[Murdock]]'s; [[Rotom Phone]])
* {{p|Quaxly}} ({{OP|Dot|Quaxly}})
* {{p|Tinkatink}} ({{OP|Dot|Tinkatink}})
* {{p|Rotom}} ([[Dot]]'s; [[Rotom Phone]])
* {{p|Bellibolt}} ([[Iono]]'s)
* {{p|Magneton}} ([[Spinel]]'s)
* {{p|Umbreon}} ([[Spinel]]'s)
* {{p|Beheeyem}} ([[Spinel]]'s)
* {{p|Glalie}} ([[Coral]]'s)
* {{p|Rotom}} ([[Coral]]'s; [[Rotom Phone]])
* {{p|Garganacl}} ([[Sidian]]'s)
* {{p|Rotom}} ([[Sidian]]'s; [[Rotom Phone]])
* {{p|Medicham}} ([[Chalce]]'s)
* {{p|Rotom}} ([[Chalce]]'s; [[Rotom Phone]])
* {{p|Rayquaza}} ([[Lucius]]'s; [[Black Rayquaza]])
* {{p|Arboliva}} ([[Lucius]]'s; {{pkmn2|giant}}; flashback)
* {{p|Pawmi}} ([[Rising Volt Tacklers]]')
* {{p|Shuckle}} ([[Rising Volt Tacklers]]')
* {{p|Snorunt}} ([[Rising Volt Tacklers]]')
* {{p|Noctowl}} ([[Rising Volt Tacklers]]')
* {{p|Carkol}} ([[Rising Volt Tacklers]]')
* {{p|Slugma}} ([[Rising Volt Tacklers]]')
* {{p|Muk}} ([[Rising Volt Tacklers]]'; [[Alolan form]])
* {{p|Nosepass}} ([[Rising Volt Tacklers]]')
* {{p|Polteageist}} ([[Rising Volt Tacklers]]')
* {{p|Maushold}} ([[Rising Volt Tacklers]]'; {{form|Maushold|Family of Four}})
* {{p|Terapagos}} ({{an|Terapagos|anime}}; {{form|Terapagos|Normal Form}})
* {{p|Combee}} (multiple)
* {{p|Vespiquen}}
* {{p|Vivillon}} ({{form|Vivillon|Fancy Pattern}}; multiple; debut)
* {{p|Flabébé}} ({{form|Flabébé, Floette, and Florges|White Flower}}; ×2)
* {{p|Floette}} ({{form|Flabébé, Floette, and Florges|White Flower}}; multiple)
* {{p|Finizen}} (multiple)

==Trivia==
* [[Professor Friede's Pokémon Seminar]]: ''"How does {{p|Medicham}} develop its {{t|Psychic}} powers?"''
** Choices: Muscle training, yoga, battles
** Answer: Yoga
* The first [[List of Pokémon Horizons: The Series eyecatches|eyecatch]] features [[Spinel]] and his {{p|Umbreon}}, and the second features [[Chalce]] and her Medicham.
** Umbreon's artwork is updated to feature Umbreon redrawn with fixed proportions. This artwork was first used in the dubbed version of ''[[HZ016|Quaxly, We Can Do It]]''.
* This is the final episode in which the episode preview is announced by [[Dot|Nidothing]] and {{TP|Dot|Quaxly}} in the style of an internet video. Afterwards, the episode previews are presented in a more traditional style, similar to previous series.
* This is the fourth episode of ''[[Pokémon Horizons: The Series]]'' to have its {{pmin|Indonesia}}n [[dub]] released before the English dub, being released on September 6, 2024.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU-9xEheMYk</ref>

===Errors===

===Dub edits===

==In other languages==
<!--{{Epilang|color=AE7BD0|bordercolor=F34134
}}-->

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{-}}
{{EpicodePrevNext|
prevcode=HZ043 |
prevtitle=A Challenge from the Explorers |
nextcode=HZ045 |
nexttitle=From So Far Away |
series=Pokémon Horizons: The Series |
colorscheme=Paldea}}
{{Project Anime notice}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1276}}
[[Category:Pokémon Horizons: The Series episodes|044]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Kureha Matsuzawa]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded and directed by Hiroaki Takagi]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded by Hiroaki Takagi]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Hiroaki Takagi]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Yusuke Oshida]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Chiaki Kurakazu]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Masaya Ōnishi]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Akihiko Oka]]
<!--[[Category:Episodes animated by Yoshifumi Ōkawa]]-->
[[Category:Episodes by one-time animation directors]]
[[Category:Episodes by multiple animation directors]]
[[Category:Episodes focusing on the Explorers]]
[[Category:Episodes in which a Legendary Pokémon appears]]
[[Category:Episodes which aired in the United Kingdom before the United States]]

[[de:Rayquaza Hokaku Keikaku]]
[[es:EP1280]]
[[fr:LH044]]
[[it:OP044]]
[[ja:2023年版第44話]]
[[zh:宝可梦 地平线 第44集]]