SM080

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Not Caving Under Pressure!

SM080

EP1019

サンドの嵐！氷穴のダブルバトル！！
Sand's Storm! Ice Cave Double Battle!!

First broadcast

Japan	June 28, 2018
United States	November 24, 2018

English themes

Opening	Under The Alolan Moon
Ending

Japanese themes

Opening	未来コネクション
Ending	ジャリボーイ・ジャリガール

Credits

No additional credits are available at this time.
Animation	Team Kato
Screenplay	宮田由佳 Yuka Miyata
Storyboard	尼野浩正 Hiromasa Amano
Assistant director	渡辺正彦 Masahiko Watanabe
Animation director	直井由紀 Yuki Naoi

Not Caving Under Pressure! (Japanese: サンドの嵐！氷穴のダブルバトル！！ Sand's Storm! Ice Cave Double Battle!!) is the 80th episode of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, and the 1,019th episode of the Pokémon animated series. It first aired in Japan on June 28, 2018, in New Zealand on October 17, 2018, in Australia and the United Kingdom on November 2, 2018, in Canada on November 10, 2018, and in the United States on November 24, 2018.

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

Blurb

A surprising show of determination leads to a happy outcome for many—in many different ways!

On their way to the ferry back to Melemele Island, our heroes take a shortcut through a cave. They find an area filled with luminescent moss, and Kiawe’s overexcited Marowak starts a commotion that separates everyone into groups. While the others try to find their way out, Lillie, Sophocles, and Mallow discover a group of Alolan Sandshrew in training. The Sandshrew are threatened by a Tyranitar, but Lillie intervenes. She challenges Tyranitar to a Double Battle—and wins with the help of Snowy and the Sandshrew Boss! To show their gratitude, the Sandshrew present Lillie with her very own Icium Z!

Plot

Ash and his classmates make their way towards the ferry bound for Melemele Island after finishing their stay-over tour of the Hokulani Observatory. Poipole flies ahead and notices a shortcut sign leading to a cave route. Sophocles explains that the cave will lead the group directly to the ferry terminal. Convinced, everyone ventures into the cave system, which is illuminated by glowing moss. Sophocles notes that the cave also leads to Mount Lanakila. Kiawe becomes concerned that they could get lost, but Sophocles is confident that he knows his directions. Suddenly, Marowak begins chasing the other Pokémon with its moss-covered bone. Turtonator tries to intervene, but it is knocked onto its shell, causing an explosion that sends the group and their Pokémon flying in multiple directions.

All of Ash's Pokémon, except Rowlet, end up together, and then, they end up getting flattened by Turtonator. Lycanroc sniffs the ground and takes the lead. Sophocles, Lillie, and Mallow have all of their Pokémon with them, while Lana and her Popplio find Rotom and Marowak nearby. Meanwhile, Ash and Kiawe are all alone and attempt to find everyone else. Kiawe tells Ash to watch where he steps, but the latter ends up stepping on a sleeping Boldore, angering it. Ash tries to send Rowlet out to fight, but it won't wake up, forcing Ash and Kiawe to flee, defenseless.

Elsewhere, Lillie puts her finger in the air in an attempt to find a wind current that could lead to an exit, and Sophocles and Mallow do the same. The three feel a breeze coming their way, but it turns out to be a rabid Alolan Raticate, that is rampaging towards them, forcing the trio to run. The trio escape but are exhausted. Fortunately Mallow has some supplies on hand, and Sophocles, Lillie, and the Pokémon enjoy the homemade cookies. Lillie notices Mallow isn't eating, though Mallow explains that the look on a satisfied person's face is irreplaceable and that she hopes that she can make more people happy through her cooking in the future. Mallow asks Sophocles about his dream. He admits his fascination with the stars has led him to want to become an astronaut. While Lillie explains that she hopes to become closer with Pokémon and doesn't have a particular dream in mind. Snowy's ears switch, and the group soon notice a group of Alolan Sandshrew in the midst of training. Sophocles jumps to stop his Togedemaru from disrupting the group, but his landing alerts the wild Pokémon to the trio's presence. He tries to apologise, but the Sandshrew soon surround them. Mallow notices one of the Sandshrew sniffing the air around her, so she gives it one of her remaining cookies. It quickly grabs the treat and eats it.

Lana has arrived at a fork in the cave. Rotom's 50/50 calculations prove useless so Lana just decides to go right. Meanwhile, Kiawe and Ash are exhausted as the former mentions that Ash ended up stepping on a Diglett and a Gumshoos. Ash suddenly spots an exit and the pair run out directly into the blizzard conditions. They quickly realize they have gone the wrong direction and ended up at Mount Lanakila. Elsewhere, the Sandshrew have begun to calm down after a small snack, much to Sophocles, Lillie and Mallow's relief. An unusually large Sandshrew approaches Lillie for a pat. Its ears twitch, and the Sandshrew begin fleeing and the trio follow suit at Snowy's insistence.

As they are running, Lillie notices that the ground is becoming colder and they soon reach their destination, a large ice structure that resembles a castle. They watch on as the Sandshrew confront an intimidating Tyranitar. Lillie notices the claw marks across the cavern's ceiling and walls, and suggests the territory must belong to the Sandshrew. Snowy is blown away by Tyranitar's Sandstorm and another attack causes the cavern to become unstable. Lillie and Snowy becomes separated by the debris. She is fine, though is more concerned about the Sandshrew's conditions. Meanwhile, the large Sandshrew continues to battle on and evades another Stone Edge from Tyranitar, but the attack does more damage to the cave. Lillie rushes into the conflict, while Sophocles enlists his Togedemaru and Charjabug, Mallow and her Steenee to help dig a path to reach her. Lillie reaches the battle as Sandshrew is winded by another Stone Edge. Snowy launches a Hail, and as predicted the change of conditions give the Sandshrew favourable hope as Lillie attempts to speak to Tyranitar. Lillie thinks back to Ash's match against Olivia and decides a Double Battle is in order. Snowy uses Aurora Veil which protect it and Sandshrew from Tyranitar's attack. Lillie follows up with a Powder Snow, and at her command, Sandshrew unleashes several Rapid Spins. Mallow and Sophocles are glad she has Tyranitar cornered and cheer Lillie on. Sandshrew uses Metal Claw which topples Tyranitar to the ground. Tyranitar tries to get up, but flees the cavern after Sandshrew roars. Sophocles and Mallow are amazed by Lillie's command of the wild Pokémon and her victory. However Lillie brushes off the praise by stating that it was a spur of the moment thing, and it was the Pokémon that made the effort. The trio watch on as the Sandshrew get back to constructing their nest.

Meanwhile, Ash and Kiawe emerge from the cave system and encounter Lana there. Kiawe is overjoyed to be reunited with his Marowak, while his Pokémon is overwhelmed and begins to tear up. Rotom floats into Ash's arms, and Ash's other Pokémon soon make an appearance.

Lillie has Snowy freeze over a cavern entrance to prevent any more intruders from entering the Sandshrews' nest. Charjabug suddenly excavates an Ice Stone which Sophocles explains can be used to evolve either an Alolan Vulpix or Alolan Sandshrew. The large Sandshrew nudges the Ice Stone in Sophocles's hand and goes on to evolve into an Alolan Sandslash. Lillie is glad it evolved and can now defend the Sandshrew with its newfound strength. Sandslash walks off somewhere and returns with an Icium Z, which it presents to Lillie as gratitude for her and Snowy's assistance. Lillie is unsure because she doesn't have a Z-Ring yet, but Sophocles and Mallow encourage her to take it anyway, stating that she might get a Z-Ring in the future, and with that, Lillie accepts the generous gift.

Sophocles, Lillie and Mallow emerge from the cave where they announce to their fellow classmates that they had a fantastic adventure. The claim instantly piques the others' interests. Sophocles goes on to boast that they found a large ice castle, while Lillie reveals that she succeeded in a Double Battle and earned herself an Icium Z. As they admire Lillie's reward, Charjabug reveals that it has found another Ice Stone. Sophocles hands it to Lillie so she can evolve Snowy. Lillie formally offers the Ice Stone to Snowy, but it cowers away from it. Seeing her Pokémon's reaction, Lillie deduces that Snowy is not ready to evolve yet and respects its decision. While the others imagine Lillie's future Z-Move and Alolan Ninetales, she smiles at the possibility.

Major events

Lillie holding the Icium Z

Lillie receives an Icium Z from a wild Alolan Sandslash.
Sophocles gives Lillie an Ice Stone found by his Charjabug.
Lillie offers the Ice Stone to Snowy, but it refuses to evolve for the time being.
Lillie decides to keep the Ice Stone in case Snowy changes its mind.
Ash and his classmates travel back to Melemele Island.

For a list of all major events in the animated series, please see the history page.

Debuts

Pokémon debuts

Sandslash (Alolan form)

Characters

Humans

Dare da?

Pokémon

Who's That Pokémon?

Who's That Pokémon?: Sandshrew (Alola Form)

Pikachu (Ash's)
Rotom (Rotom Pokédex)
Rowlet (Ash's)
Rockruff (Ash's; flashback)
Lycanroc (Ash's; Dusk Form)
Torracat (Ash's)
Poipole (Ash's)
Popplio (Lana's)
Turtonator (Kiawe's)
Marowak (Kiawe's; Alolan form)
Vulpix (Lillie's; Alolan form; Snowy)
Togedemaru (Sophocles's)
Charjabug (Sophocles's)
Steenee (Mallow's)
Lycanroc (Olivia's; Midday Form; flashback)
Probopass (Olivia's; flashback)
Boldore
Raticate (Alolan form)
Sandshrew (Alolan form; multiple; one giant; one evolves)
Sandslash (Alolan form; giant; newly evolved; debut)
Tyranitar

Trivia

Poké Problem: Which of these Pokémon do we help in today's episode?
- Host: Lillie
- Choices: Alolan Ninetales, Alolan Persian, Alolan Exeggutor, Alolan Sandshrew
- Answer: Alolan Sandshrew
Lana and Mallow both narrate the preview for the next episode.
- In the preview, Lana makes a joke about the Masked Royal's opponents being Dialga, Palkia, and Darkrai. This is likely a reference to The Rise of Darkrai.
Sophocles, Lillie, and Mallow read the Who's That Pokémon? segment in the dub.
The translation of the Japanese title is a pun on the move Sandstorm.
This marks the final time Kate Bristol voices a character (most notably Sophocles's Togedemaru), having returned to Texas following the birth of her child.

Errors

Dub edits

In other languages

Language		Title
Chinese	Cantonese	穿山鼠風暴，冰洞的雙打對戰⋯
Chinese	Mandarin	穿山鼠風暴！冰洞的雙打對戰！！
Czech		Ani jeskyně nás nezastaví!
Danish		Kamp i isgrotten!
Dutch		Niet zwichten onder druk!
Finnish		Paineensietokyky ei petä!
European French		Un défi en sous-sol !
German		Das Eis ist gebrochen!
Hebrew		!להגן על המערה
Italian		Nessun cedimento!
Korean		모래두지의 폭풍! 얼음 동굴의 더블 배틀!!
Norwegian		Kamp i ishulen!
Polish		Nie poddamy się presji!
Brazilian Portuguese		Uma aventura cavernosa!
Russian		Пещера мужества!
Spanish	Latin America	¡Batalla bajo presión en la cueva!
Spanish	Spain	¡Protegiendo la cueva!
Swedish		Isgrottan!
Thai		พายุทราย! ดับเบิ้ลแบทเทิลในโพรงน้ำแข็ง!!
Turkish		Baskıya Boyun Eğmiyoruz!